conventions of opening sequences

Conventions of Opening sequences

The primary purpose of an opening sequence in a movie is to instantly engage the audience in the first 5 minutes and intrigue them to continue to watch the rest of the film. Film companies want to grab the audiences attention as soon as they possibly can, by using various different techniques to entice the viewers. These techniques include specific camera shots, narration, variation in the pace a scene, and production and cast credits. All these features will contribute to the audience feeling obliged to continue to watch.

Title and credits:

A key feature within the first scene of a movie is the use of credits. The opening credits normally start with the logos of various production companies that were involved with the making of the film. This is followed by the actual visual film starting, accompanied with credit such as the actors in the film, and the casting crew. This is normally done whilst setting the scene.  The logos of the production team appear first before anything else, to in some ways attract their target audience in. Production teams are often known for making films all in the same genre, and some people may enjoy this genre. By putting the production credits first, it makes the audience think "I enjoyed previous films from this company so it should be good" and immediately keeps them engaged, before the actually movie even starts. By putting the credits with the name of the actors in the opening scene is affective in keeping the audiences because they may see an actor they like, and will want to continue watching just to see the actor/actress in it.

Another convention in an opening sequence is the title of the film. This is often the last thing that comes up after the credits and signals the actually beginning of the actual film. This is often a edited graphic that is transitions onto the screen. The way it is written or the way it is transitioned onto the screen often reflex the genre of the film and determines how the film will be. For example, if the title dripped down onto the page as if it was blood. That may signal that it is a horror film and will contain some gory scenes.

Camera shots:

Various camera shots can have different connotations. One camera shot that is conventionally used in the opening sequence of a film is a panning shot. This is when the camera gently moves left or right horizontally across a landscape, character or any subject. This camera shot is effect in an opening sequence because it helps set the scene. Setting the scene helps the audience establish the specific location of the movie, and in some cases build suspense immediately makes them anticipate what will happen next. Often, the first location shown in the film is the primary setting, and shows that the setting used in the film will conclude in that same place. (example: I Am Legend).

Another commonly used camera shot in open sequences are the range of close up shots. This can either be a big close up, extreme close up or a tight frame. This is conventionally subjected to one character and this is done to emphasis that this character will have a key role in the film. This intrigues the audience because the tight frame highlights facial expressions of the subjects face. If this facial expression is a fearful one, it hooks in the audience and almost relate to them. Consequently, audiences will want to know what they are so scared about. Alternatively, the facial expression may be happy/ joyful, and in the same way, the audience will want to know why the subject is so happy and will carry on watching.

(Example: Final Destination) 

NarratIve:

In some opening sequences, narration and dialogue, or lack of, can be very affective. The use of narration is often used to inform the audience on the current situation in the film. It can also give a detailed description of context and helps the audience to comprehend what's going on. This is affective because the narration can have a major impact on the audience can engage them to carry on watching. For example, in the opening sequence Love Actually, the recognizable voice of Hugh Grant is one the first things we hear in the film. This is affective because Hugh Grant is a well known likable celebrity. This draws in the audience because they wish to continue to watch so they can see their favorite actor and see his role in the movie.

(Example of Love Actually sequence: www.youtube.com/watch?v=cUoxXpqof8A)

In contrast, a lack of narration is equally affective. Having silence filled with quiet music builds suspense within the audience. Consequently, the longer there is a no dialogue/ narration, the more suspense that is built and affectively makes the audiences fear and panic grow more and more. Doing this grips them to carry on watching so they eventually resolve the suspense and regain an equilibrium. A good example of this would once again, the 2007 production of I Am Legend. In the opening minute and 30 seconds, all that is presented is visual content of the abandoned city and there is no dialogue or narration. This is done to build up suspense and make the adhesive intrigue to find out why it is silent. (www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLeix0ZYSCE)

According to theorist Roland Barthes, good media texts contain certain code that help audiences determine what will happen and understand what is going on. These codes are conventionally present in opening sequences, however two specific codes are typically present in opening sequences, and those are enigma codes and action codes. Enigma codes are elements of mystery in plots and present to the audience unanswered question which are normally answered later on in the movie. Enigma codes are used in opening sequences because they create suspense and make the audience intrigued as to what is happening. They purposely leave the audience wondering what is going so that they continue to watch and discover a conclusion to the story. For example, the killers identity in thriller won't be identified straight away.

Action codes are actions that happen to help the audience establish what will happen in the future.  They in some ways make the future more obvious and predictable, however, intrigues the audience to see how it'll happen. For example, in the opening seen of a movie, if a character says "call me if you get into trouble" this gives the audience the impression that something bad will happen later in the film that'll force them to call.