Title of the film
The title will appear in the opening sequence, letting the audience know what film they are about to watch. The title could also be used to show the genre of the film.
In this opening sequence the Se7en film title appears to show the thriller/horror genre through the flickery/ scratching of the letters.
In contrast The Love actually film title appears in a small font at the bottom of the screen in a red colour which initially tells the audience its within the romance genre.
Credits
The cast and crew that contributed to the movie will appear in the opening sequence to thank the people involved and gives them publicity. Also having major actresses and actors that are in the film engage the audience as they will watch it for the cast.
The Love Actually films contains many famous actress and actors that people around the world will know. One of these would be Hugh Grant who is famous in the romance genre, so this would engage the audiences.
Energy of the state is another example that uses credits in the opening sequence. Will Smith is another name people will recognise and go to watch a film that he features in.
Settings
Settings
Throughout the opening sequence the audience will be introduced to the setting the film will be placed in.
The Breakfast club opening sequence consist of different shots of the Maine North High School which the whole film is based in. This allows the audience to familiar themselves with the setting and makes it easier to follow the different storylines within.
The film LOL is based in a American school. The opening sequence consists of a tracking shot following students around the outside grounds of the school. It then focusses of the front entrance which the main characters exit from.
Introduction to Characters
Throughout the opening sequence the audience will be introduced to the main characters in the film.
However the opening sequence Easy A contains a voiceover delivered by the main character which introduces the storyline. In addition we are shown the main character being knocked over giving the audience an insight into the characters.
Studio Logo's
Films of all genres contain the studio's logo at the start to ensure the audience know which corporation was responsible for making the film. It could suggest what genre the film falls into.
An example of a very bold and recognisable logo is the Walt Disney logo as its very distinguishable among others. It contains a soft tune suggesting the films going to be magical. The colours suggest the film will be more for children and families.
Sometimes studio logos are edited to suit the film itself. For example the Harry Potter extract contains an edited Warner Brothers logo containing low key lighting which dominantly present within the film.
Sound
There are two types of sounds found in an opening sequence; diegetic and non-diegetic. Diegetic sound helps set the setting and non-diegetic sound helps establish the genre.
The film Lord of War contains both Diegetic sound and non-diegetic sound within the opening sequence. The song 'For what is worth' plays alongside diegetic sounds of machining and manufacturing.
The Casino Royale opening sequence contains just Diegetic music allowing the audience to recognise the fast-beat sound played in all James bond films.
Enigma
The enigma is what draws the audience in leaving the audience's questions unanswered making them what to watch on.
The saw opening sequence creates many narrative enigmas like; why the men are chained up? Who killed the man? Where are they there? Who are they? These questions will be answered when watching the rest of the film.
Citizen Kane is full of enigmas that don't have immediate answers for example why are there monkeys? Where is that big house? Why does he die?
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