CONVENTIONS OF A FILM OPENING SEQUENCE
CONVENTIONS OF A FILM OPENING SEQUENCE
FILM OPENINGThe purpose of a film opening is to persuade the audience to continue watching the film, in which they present the characters and genre.
Most of the film openings consist of:
↪ Titles
↪ Establishing shots and genre
↪ Introduction of characters
↪ Action
↪ Theme
↪ Sound
↪ Enigma
Here is an example of a film opening : https://vimeo.com/46478674
Companies' logo - The logos are always shown and expected by the audience. When companies have a high budget, the logos are adapted to the genre and theme of the film.
Titles - Companies have title scenes where they show the cast and production team who make up the film. This is an important part of promoting the film because by famous actors names in the film, the audience will have high expectations for the film. Obviously, the actors' names are presented at the start to create those high expectations.
Establishing shots and genre- Using the correct conventions, they will help to set the scene and to inform the audience of where the scence is taking place. Using the adecuate lighting and music for the situation can create tension, excitement...
Introduction of characters - This is a key convention in film opening because this is when the audience is presented with the importance of these characters (not all important characters are shown all some film openings to create mystery in the audience).
Theme - The theme of a film uses the genre chosen to create an opening scene to nicely introduce the film to the audience, or, in other cases, help the audience distinguish the genre used in the film.
Sound - This is important to create the correct environment and emotions for the audience.
There are two types of sound:
Companies' logo - The logos are always shown and expected by the audience. When companies have a high budget, the logos are adapted to the genre and theme of the film.
Titles - Companies have title scenes where they show the cast and production team who make up the film. This is an important part of promoting the film because by famous actors names in the film, the audience will have high expectations for the film. Obviously, the actors' names are presented at the start to create those high expectations.
Establishing shots and genre- Using the correct conventions, they will help to set the scene and to inform the audience of where the scence is taking place. Using the adecuate lighting and music for the situation can create tension, excitement...
Introduction of characters - This is a key convention in film opening because this is when the audience is presented with the importance of these characters (not all important characters are shown all some film openings to create mystery in the audience).
Theme - The theme of a film uses the genre chosen to create an opening scene to nicely introduce the film to the audience, or, in other cases, help the audience distinguish the genre used in the film.
Sound - This is important to create the correct environment and emotions for the audience.
There are two types of sound:
> Non-diegetic: the most common sound used because it sets the scene for the audience and creates the genre expected by the audience (sound in the background that the characters cannot hear).
Example of non-diegetic sound and diegetic sound
> Diegetic: this type is used when the characters can hear the sound played like explosions, dogs barking, dialogue...
On the other hand, there is contrapuntal sound, which is a way to use the conventions in a way to confuse the audience, but also add mystery to the scene
Example of contrapuntal sound
Example of non-diegetic sound and diegetic sound
From around 0:55 the diegetic sound of the music in this headphones turns into a non-diegetic sound of the music playing in the background.
> Diegetic: this type is used when the characters can hear the sound played like explosions, dogs barking, dialogue...
On the other hand, there is contrapuntal sound, which is a way to use the conventions in a way to confuse the audience, but also add mystery to the scene
Example of contrapuntal sound
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