Opening Conventions

in FilmsIndia Hinsley

12.5

The Purpose• The purpose of film openings is to

entice the audience and make them want to carry on watching the film.

• The opening to the film should help show what genre the film is and show the characters of the film.

The Main Ideas• the main conventions that most films tend to use

are;• Introduce the key characters• Introduce the pre-plot or the beginning of the narrative• Establish the scene and setting• Sometimes a key event will occur (especially in action

films)• Sometimes they also include the main names of cast

and crew; such as the main actor and the director• Most film opening sequences are around 2 minutes

long but in major action and blockbuster films they can be up to 5 minutes long.

Here are some more

conventions directors use in some more

detail…

Flashback• This is where the film opens to a scene

where the narrative is concentrating on an event that happened in the past.

• Sometimes this just lasts for a scene but other times it could last for a

longer amount of time or even the whole film.

The Lion King

Planning the landscape and shots• This type of opening used so that the

audience can get used to the scene and surroundings

• It helps the audience gain a sense of familiarity with the scene and setting

for the whole film.

The Maze Runner

Narrations • This is an easy and effective way of getting

the audience involved straight away.• This convention is used to give the

audience background information into what has happened previously to the characters or as a way to give the audience as insight

into who the characters are.• It helps the rest of the film make sense

The Life of Pi

Action Scene• This is a fast paced way to start the

film and get the audience automatically hooked and engaged.

• This technique also helps to show what genre the film is straight away.

Fast and Furious 7

Chase Scene• This is very similar to an action scene

as it straight away throws them into the action of the film.

• It helps the audience stay engaged as they want to know what happens after the chase or know the reasons behind

why the chase occurred.

Skyfall

Production’s logo• At the start of most, if not all films, they will show the production teams

logo.• In higher budget films sometimes they

will sometimes change and adapt the logo to fit the genre and time period of

the filmChildren’s film production logo (Toy Story)

Title sequence • All films have title sequences

• These show the cast and production teams of the film

• The titles can also be used to build up tension or suspense and they can also

show the genre of the film

TheFaultin ourStars

Animation • This is used to get the film off to a fun,

exciting and entertaining start.• It visibly shows the difference between

the opening titles and the actual film itself

• Often used in fun, light-hearted, family friendly films

Juno

Compilation of photos

• This is a very simple technique that is often used on credits to show pictures from important events in the film to

sum the whole thing up.• However when used in film openings it

can be used to show the audience the themes and the relationships between

characters.

Narrative content• This is the same as the narrative but

includes specific information.• It includes the who, what, where

information• The pace of the narrative also picks up

as the level of engagement increases.

Soundtrack • This is where music is used to get the

film started, usually as the shots is of the scene/setting

• It uses the tone, tempo and volume of the music to set the scene although

when this technique is used its usually more slow-paced.