J E S S I C A T I P P E R

CONVENTIONS OF A FILM OPENING

KEY CONCEPTS

• Film openings are designed to draw in the viewer and introduce key ideas and motif’s that the film wants to carry through.• Additionally, film openings take the chance to

credit the producer, director and stars of the film. • They can be up to five minutes long before

introducing the main narrative.• The main antagonist or protagonist may be

introduced as well as the setting of the film.

THEMES AND GENRE• The arrangement will make the genre very clear

to the audience. The use of tense music, dark imagery or distinct editing could make a film opening very clearly a thriller.• Additionally, the use of key images that reoccur

throughout can help establish a theme, for example the use of clown and circus imagery can show the viewer that the main themes will be to do with the fear of clowns or the circus.

CHARACTERS AND APPEARANCE• Presentations of characters vary in film openings.

Their appearance may be obscured to maintain ambiguity or in contrast they may be fully featured to show the viewer their true nature or looks. • The credits may be in tune with the appearance

of each character.• Relationships between characters may be introduced to draw intrigue toward their interactions.

IMAGERY AND EDITING

• Film openings will usually introduce large amounts of key imagery and some times heavy amounts of editing to create a specific look that helps establish a direct message to the viewer.• Animation can also be a key part of the opening

imagery, for example the opening of a James Bond will always include animation that flows with the credits and music. This is often included with credits to draw the eye to the name.

TITLES AND CREDITS

• A film’s title can say a lot about its style and genre. Fonts and backgrounds draw the eye to the title.• The credits are key to a conventional film

opening. They can feature animation, or interesting designs that creates a distinct look. They can also be discrete to purely credit the cast without drawing the eye from the main focus in the film.

SOUND AND MUSIC

• Non-Diegetic sound can be central to a film opening. This is the sound such as the backing music that the characters on screen do not hear.

• This can be an opening narration that sets the scene of the film or the soundtrack that establishes an atmosphere.

• Diegetic sound can be important as well and can sometimes draw a viewer into the situation of the characters.

LIGHTING AND CAMERA ANGLES

• Dramatic Camera angles portray distinctive messages and perspectives for the viewer. For example using a low angle can give the impression of an imposing person.• Lighting can obfuscate or accentuate the

appearance of the setting, for example using dark lighting or silhouettes can create mystery and tension.