Conventions Of An Opening Sequence

TITLES Titles are a main aspect of an opening sequence as they introduce us to the actors who are involved within the film as well as people off set such as editors, producers and of course the director. However, if we look more in depth, the titles also portray the tone of the play through the font as well as the colour of the font. For instance the clip below shows a serif font to show that there is not going to be romantic for instance or even a comedy and that it has a serious tone to it due to the titles being grey. PRODUCTION/DISTRIBUTION COMPANY LOGOS These usually link into the movie in some shape or form, usually through the mise en scene and use of colour as well as the soundtrack already starting throughout the logos are depicted to the audience. Generally, the music will be upbeat during the logos or the logos will be bright colours if there is a happy, relaxed tone to the film, or they'd be dark and cloudy if there is a more serious tone to the film, such as the link below which part of the opening to 'The Dark Knight'. SOUND Sound is essential as this is a way of communicating with the audience as well as making them want to watch in. It is also an indirect communicative technique to help imply what the movie will be about. For instance, if the score contained violins and was slow and elegiac, the movie genre would probably be a tragedy. However, in the link below you can see that the film is all about action and conflict as well as being quite scary with thriller aspects to it. You can tell all of this simply from the soundtrack, making it an essential convention to an opening sequence. ESTABLISHING SHOT An establishing shot is extremely common throughout opening sequences as it is a non-verbal narrative of setting the scene in the reader's mind. By showing an establishing shot you are able to show close ups and shots of pretty much anything without confusing the reader as they already know where it is all based. Below is a hyperbolic use of establishing shots, but by doing so, they will not have to show any within the film. EQUILIBRIUM An equilibrium is the 'norm' and average day within the film. This is then followed by the disequilibrium which would be the conflict of the film which would then need to be sorted to get back to the new equilibrium (resolution). We are usually shown the disequilibrium to leave us as an audience on edge and see how the situation is going to get resolved. If we carry on looking at the first clip which was 'Resident Evil: Afterlife', it is clear to us what the disequilibrium in this film is.

Spiderwick Chronicles Opening Sequence Analysis

Spiderwick Chronicles on Prezi

Wallander Opening Sequence Analysis

Mise En Scene

The opening sequence to Wallander is based in the countryside near the coast. This represents an isolated location and also questions why the director has chosen that specific area. When the backs of two girls are revealed to the audience, it connotes innocence and vulnerability, which contrasts with the leather jackets they are wearing, which amplifies their rebellious manner. Stereotypically, we would have assumed that the girls were harmless, however it is soon evident to us that the feminine figure is show to us in a refreshing, surprising representation.

            When the shot cuts to the inside of the taxi car where you can intercept the knowledge that it’s a middle aged man, the audience could assume that the man may have been the one who was dangerous, even though we can see the man is seriously injured and unconscious with a vast amount of blood all over the car. This leaves the audience with questions such as if the girls had to defend for themselves. The blood is also a clear sign to the audience that action has occurred for blood to be shed.

           

            After witnessing the anger upon the girl’s faces, it makes us even more suspicious that they could be the dangerous persons in this predicament. Evident to support this could be the cutthroat blade around one of the girls necks, as well as the girls costumes being of a goth-like similarity, who are stereotypically known to be dark, unpleasant characters.

            The fact that the taxi card is shown as well as the picture of the taxi driver with is son is evidence to the audience that he is just a working man, and could be innocent. On the other hand, being alone with a man whilst being a young girl could still be seen as dangerous and suspicions are still aroused to who is the dangerous one.

            We do not know what reason the girls tried to kill the taxi driver which makes us want to carry on watching the programme. Other aspects featured to represent the tone of the hit tv drama would include the low-key lighting, to create a gloomy atmosphere to simulate pathetic fallacy as well as one of the girls having red braids, which imply danger and anger, which is clearly shown through the last shot of the scene which is where the girl throws away the bloodstained knife.

Sound

The score for the opening scene of this TV drama included diagetic sounds at he beginning of the scene such as wind, exaggerating the use of pathetic faacy audibly as well as visually. This created effects such as making the audience feel uneasy as well as making the  scenario seem eerie and mysterious. A high pitch whistle is also heard too to create tension and ensure that the audience have no time to relax.

The fact that the radio is paying in the background of the taxi car, makes it seem more naturalistic as well as being a feature of everyday life, which is a huge contrast in comparison to the blood and everything else visible on screen.

The heavy breathing heard in the background imitates someone who has just partaken in physical activity (where in this case it would be stabbing the taxi ddiriver). This can clearly tlink in with the mise enscene explaining that action had just taken place. Also, the ow pitch noises heard nearing the end of the opening sequence are used to make the audience feel anxious and uneasy until the music gradually climaxes creating tension throughout the first scene of the TV drama,

Editing

Editing is used from the very beginning in Wallander as a gradual fade in from the black screen links in with the murky scene tshown through a a long duration shot of the entire surroundings. This is to clearly depict the atmosphere to the audience and make them think and relate to the programme. As well as this, it delivers a slow pace to the auience, this could be to let the crowd before exposing key features within the scene. Howver, as the audiene recognises thatm dangerm blood and death is revealed more and more often, the transitions of the shots pseed up quicker and quicker, similar to the equivalent of the girls walking paces throughout he play.
generator

Cinematography

A master shot at the beginning of the scene was used to set the scene for the audience to witness their surrounding easily and capably. The slow track in on action simulates the fact that the helicopter shot could e that of a third persons’ respect and be a sort of eyeline match for the audience to follow. The two shot following up after shows detail of both girls at the same time to ephasise the importance of the audience knowing as much as they can about the girls without using dialogue. Next, a variety of different shots portray sections of the car and persons within the scene throughout many extreme close ups. This is to deplay precise detail and also so the director can ensure that the audience can see ckear detail such as the blood or the emotions on the girl’s faces to vnon-verbally depict emotion. The fact that a two shot  of the characters is shown in the background with a focus pull on the car, making the girls seem blurry and vice versa is to show that the girls were hurrying and are a good distance away from the car,  this lso shows that they were hurrying throughout the two shot, and the fact that you can visual the open doors of the car. I think they were chosen to continue to be open by the director to emphasise that the girls were hurring and closing the doors  were unimportant to them. =the focus oulls included in the opening scenes explain to the audience that they ar being brought back to reality to be reminded that this isn’t a peaceful scenario.

generator
how do you animate pictures

Opening Sequence to Bridget Jones (Maguire, 2001, UK)

Bridget Jones on Prezi

Brick Opening Sequence Analysis

Sixth Sense Opening Sequence Analysis

Opening Sequence To Memento Review