What Is A Film Opening

The purpose of a film opening is to entice the audience into carrying on watching a film by creating an engima. A film opening also establishes characters and genre. Directors do this in many ways through the following methods:

1.  1) Flashback: A scene that the narrative back in time usually to a key event for a couple of minutes or the whole movie.
2.  2) Planning of landscape/establishing shot: This is used to set the scene and inform the audience where the film is taking place.
3.  3) Narrations: Easy and effective way of getting the audience involved straight away. Technique used to give background information on what has been happening or who the characters are, giving the audience an insight so the rest of the film make sense.
4. 4) Action scene: A fast paced opening to a film attracts the audience straight away and will make them want to carry on watching. As well it automatically shows the genre of the film if included in the opening.
5. 5) Chase scene: Similar to the action scene, also catches the audiences attention. It involves them as they will want to see what happens after the chase.
6. 6) Production Logos: At the start of most films they will always show the production or distribution logos. If the film has a high budget the logo will be adapted to reflect the genre and story line of the film.
7. 7) Title sequence: All films have title scenes too, these show the cast and production team for the films. The titles can be a way of building up suspense and can show the genre of the film.
8.  8) Animation: To portray the beginning of the film in a creative way and visibly show the difference between the film itself and the opening sequence. e.g. Juno
9. 9) Compilation of photographs: For example Blue Valentine which is a romantic film, shows photographs to portray to the audience the theme and the relationship between the couple.
10. 10) Narrative content: This includes the context (Where/when/who). As well the pace of the narrative increases as level of engagement increases
11.  12) Soundtrack: This is the use of tone, volume, and tempo, which will generically start quiet and slow-paced.

1.  Some directors prefer to have an unconventional opening to portray a sense of mystery or giving the film an artistic edge.E.g. Lack of credits, Lack of establishing shot, Main characters are not introduced.