CONVENTIONS OF A FILM OPENING

SEQUENCEMegan Stone

Opening Sequences ■ An opening sequence is used by films or television programs to

present their title, key production and cast members, or both, utilizing visuals and sound

■ It helps establish the setting and tone of the program■ They can consist of live action, animation, music, still images, and/or

graphics

Conventions■ Studio/Production Company Logo■ Titles (cast and crew)■ Genre■ Themes■ Establishing the genre■ Introduction of characters■ Action/Events■ Sound■ Narrations and Text■ Engima

Studio/Productions■ Always shown■ Often show the distribution companies involved in the production of

the media text■ They are expected by the audience■ Help the audience to set up expectations for the film (Warner Brothers

– likely to expect a big budget block buster

Titles■ Acknowledgment of those involved with the production of the media

text and their role■ Regardless of the genre these titles are presented in a standard format:

1) Production company2) Producers’ names3) Director’s name4) Title of the film5) The highest grossing actor6) Supporting cast7) Crew

■ Help attract audiences, particularly if the actors are famous

Establishing the genre■ Key genre conventions are used to help audience identify the genre

e.g. - within a thriller the key convention would be low lighting to create tension and dissonant eerie music

■ A character or event will also often occur that is typical for that particular genre e.g. - if it is a comedy someone falling over

Theme■ The topic/theme is the story within the genre■ Used to ease and comfort the audience into the film and give them a

hint on what the narrative is going to be■ E.g. – The Dark Knight opens with several fast pace cut shots of

people in clown mask costumes in the process of robbing a bank, this creates enigma for the audience and leads them on to the view the entire film

Establishing characters■ One of the key conventions in opening sequences as it shows the

characters importance and statues within the film■ Some films do not do this, they want to challenge the usual

conventions of film and create an element of mystery and confusion for the audience

■ The characters quite often help the audience identify the genre because certain actors are linked with specific genres e.g. – Jenifer Aniston is associated with romantic comedy’s)

Narration/text■ Helps the audience to understand what is going on within the film■ Some films may have non diegetic sound to make it more interesting■ Films like Star Wars use text as it clearly shows what is going on

Sound■ Usually sound (diegetic and non-diegetic)■ Non-diegetic is most common■ However, some use diegetic music where the actors can hear the

sound e.g. Cheaper By The Dozen where all the characters can hear the radio and are all cheery in the kitchen

■ Some films use contrapuntal sound to challenge conventions and to add some mystery

■ Films such as Harry Potter use theme music in which the same iconic theme music is played at the beginning of each film

Enigma■ Help create questions and tension to entice the audience