Film openings

• 1. Film OpeningsCodes Conventions
• 2. The purpose of a film opening is to entice the audience to continue on watching the film. A film opening should also establish characters and genre. Directors can choose to do this in many ways.All the videos on the following slides were playable when embedded
• 3. A Flashback is a scene that takes the narrative back in time usually to a key event sometimes for a couple of minutes or the whole movie. Watch the opening of Saving Private Ryan, it starts with a World War veteran visiting a War Memorial cemetery, he falls to the ground and then the flashback begins, to D Day June 6 1944.
• 4. Panning of Landscape- This is used to set the scene and inform the audience on where the film is taking place.Open Range starts with the panning of Montana countryside, these shots inform the audience where the film is set and the time period the film is in.
• 5. Narrations- This is a popular type of movie opening as it is brings the audience straight into the story in a very small amount of time. Narrations are an effective and easy way to describe what is happening in the story and increases the clarity of a film. It is sometimes another opinion on what is happening in the film. Watch the opening of Hot Fuzz, it is narrated by the main character Nicolas Angel, he describes how he has got to where he is today and within 2 minutes the audience has been informed about all the characteristics of his career.
• 6. Fight/ Shoot out- These fast paced openings are guaranteed to make the viewer carry on watching, but they have to be believable and have impressive effects. This type of opening reveals the tone and nature of the film. It also informs the audience on who are the protagonists and antagonists. Watch the opening of Windtalkers. The harsh war environment and main character is revealed to the audience, and they are also given a taster of what may come in the film later.
• 7. Title Sequence- A title sequence is used to introduce a title and cast members by using visuals and sounds. They tell the audience the pace of the film. Watch the title sequence of Catch Me If You Can. It features many aspects of the film including planes, pilots, doctors, cops and constant moving of a character. This informs the audience on what the film will entail.
• 8. Chase Scene- Just like a fight scene these openings bring the audience right into the action whether on foot or in a car .Part of the opening of Casino Royale dfeatures Bond chasing after a very athletic contact through a building sight and up high on a crane. This opening tells the audience what Bond has to do and the enemies that he is up against.