FILM OPENINGS...

By Jessie Williams

PURPOSEThe film opening is the beginning of a film (normally the first

couple of minutes) when the titles are rolling – this can either be before or during the start of the narrative sequence.

The purpose of film openings is to excite the audience, inform them about the main actors and to give them a sample of the action that is to follow.

The style of a film opening depends on the genre of the film itself. However the most successful film openings are usually simple and consist of well framed shots and an atmospheric soundtrack.

On the next few slides are examples of film openings from a variety of different genres to show how they differ but can still be equally as effective.

Casino RoyaleThis film opening is a typical James Bond title sequence with plenty of action, suspense and glamour combined with the imaginative animation that has now become a tradition for Bond films.

The first shot is a preview into the future narrative, shot in the same location that features later on in the film; this gives a taster to the audience about the drama to come, which makes them excited to uncover the mystery and piece together the story. I think this is an effective way of introducing the plot to the audience without revealing too much of the main story – just enhancing the tense atmosphere.

After this we cut to a point of view shot from the victim’s perspective - they see James Bond turning around and firing a gun straight at them. The bang of the bullet causes a large impact as its emphasised by the harsh beat of the Bond theme tune music, this creates fear within the audience as it feels like the bullet is heading straight for them. Hearing the Bond theme tune immediately ignites excitement as the audience knows the standard of action that is expected to follow, as well as the atmospheric beat that evokes aggression and emphasises the suspense. I think its a good idea to create a theme tune for a film as it creates continuity within the audio and becomes synonymous with that particular character or series of films.

After this the main title sequence begins; its a creative visual effect done with animation, featuring: flying cards, physical fights, stabbing, guns firing, and death. Its a very imaginative design using graphic and action match, however the main theme of violence and aggression is portrayed subtly because the animation slightly hides it. This is effective as it hints at the action to come without ruining the impact or over-using the theme of violence. The animation also links to the main setting, event and theme of the film which is playing cards, it also links to the name of the film: Casino Royale, this creates continuity within the sequence.

Continued…Nearing the end of the title sequence we see James Bond walk forwards whilst

gradually turning from the animated character into the real life actor, Daniel Craig; this creates an exit from the dream –like animated sequence and prepares the audience for the beginning of the narrative action. While this is happening the soundtrack repeats the words: “you know my name”, which emphasises the fact that James Bond is such a well known character yet we (as an audience) know very little about his true identity. The timing of the action with the music creates a dramatic effect which enhances the excited atmosphere. At the end of the title sequence there is a close up shot of Daniel Craig’s face before it is abruptly blacked out, this happens in time with the ending of the music which reminds the audience that he is a spy who has to conceal his identity and conveys a mysterious edge before the start of the actual narrative.

In conclusion I think the Casino Royale film opening is successful in giving the audience a sample of the intense action to come without ruining the future impact or giving too much away whilst generating excitement within the audience. I like the use of animation as it gives the film a unique characteristic as oppose to a normal introduction. The early Bond films received criticism for being sexist and stereotyping women as a sex object, however I think the modern Bond films have adapted to change in line with modern attitudes.

THE PACIFIC

This film opening is a perfect example of how a simple title sequence with emotive music and well framed shots can produce a lasting impact on the audience.

The sequence starts with the music creating a sound bridge while the first shot is fading up; this creates atmosphere and sets the tone of the film even before the first image is on the screen. The first image is a close up shot of a charcoal drawing, I think this confuses the audience to begin with as it doesn’t relate to the film’s story, but this makes them keen to keep on watching. As the opening develops the use of charcoal is shown to be a unique approach to storytelling and subtly interweaves with the narrative through the drawings of the soldiers. I particularly like the effect of the charcoal drawings turning into close ups of the real life characters; this cleverly introduces the main characters and exposes their emotions to the audience.

The music is incredibly moving; this combined with the shots of the soldiers suffering and the breath taking art work really stirs the heart strings of the audience and evokes a sad, reflective atmosphere. At the start the music is gentle and soft, this mimics the images, but gradually the music builds up to deliver an impactful ending – combined with the traumatic shots of life for soldiers during the war. I also really admire the use of colour, as black and white enhances the sombre mood, while the splashes of red create an angry, dangerous connotation.

In conclusion, I think the simple, precise shots and smooth transitions make this a high quality film opening.

BLUE VALENTINE

This film opening gives a magical sample of the trials and tribulations of one couple’s romance through still images that document their life together.

The music starts before there is an image on screen, this smoothly leads into the first shot; a firework explodes and the image is lit up on the screen. Fireworks are used continually throughout the title sequence as a transitional device that reveals the different shots to the audience. I think this is an amazingly imaginative way of exposing the snapshots – it literally lights up the whole screen and creates a dramatic effect. There are many different types of fireworks used; this avoids boring transitions as different parts of an image light up at different times. This transitional style adds a sense of excitement within the audience as they wait for the next image to be revealed. Although when the image is revealed its only for a couple of seconds, so the audience must piece together the puzzle pieces as they don’t see the whole of the image; this creates and element of mystery and suspense.

When the main title of the film appears the music intensity increases and there is a big, dramatic firework that lights up the whole of the screen, it reveals an image of the couple in an embrace; this enhances the atmosphere of the opening and introduces the couple to the audience. During the opening sequence the music echoes the style of the firework so whenever the fireworks get more dramatic and fast paced, then the music's tempo increases, when this happens the images become more meaningful.

There is a photographic documentation style to the images, as if the audience are looking through the couple’s photo album. The images are snapshots of their love which documents the good and bad times they’ve shared together, this gives the title sequence a personal, informal feel and makes the audience want to find out about the love story.

Continued…The fireworks evoke connotations of excitement, amazement and awe at such a magical event – this

could refer to love as well as a firework display. Fireworks could also represent how love makes the couple feel; explosive, wonder, admiration and joy. The quickness of the firework lighting up the image could portray how the couple’s time together flies past very quickly and how they must make the most of their time together; this also gives connotations of forbidden love and secrecy, which automatically makes the audience want to find out more.

In conclusion, I really like this film opening as it effectively draws the audience into the narrative without revealing too much of the plot, whilst creating a unique transitional device that excites the audience and relates to the love story.

JUNOThis film opening foreshadows the future narrative; as the dream-like, simple, sketchy animation style evokes

a childish demeanour.

The opening sequence starts with no music, there is just a mid shot of Juno taking a swig from her drink – this evokes a messy, informal style which is echoed through her costume. I don’t like this as I think the music should either accompany the first shot or begin before it, because the music at the beginning should set up the atmosphere for the whole film. After the first shot the music starts as she begins her journey – the whole opening sequence is following her walking through her neighbourhood, which could link to the main story, as the audience follows her as she grows up and deals with teenage life. She looks like a lost soul, although she appears to know exactly where she’s heading; this makes the audience want to know where she’s leading them – this aspect excites them.

The music is up beat, cheerful, light hearted and happy with a continuous beat that accentuates her laid back walk. I like the start when Juno starts walking, the character and surrounding area is real life; however when she walks past a tree, she goes behind the trunk as a real life character then turns into an animated character when she is revealed on the other side, as does the whole surrounding area. This jump from reality to animation may portray how she isn’t content with her normal life.

CONTINUED...The animation and colours are plain, not detailed, bright or vivid. This conveys the thoughts of the

main character; it evokes a dream-like world, a world she conjures up herself. The cartoony lettering used for the titles conveys a child-like style, which again echoes the main narrative of growing up and pregnancy. At the end Juno’s surrounding area turns from animation back to real life, however she stays animated for a few seconds longer – this could represent hoe she doesn’t want to return to reality. After this she throws her drink in the bin; her drink was a continuous prop used throughout the whole opening sequence, she starts drinking it at the beginning and ends with finishing it, this represents the end of the titles and also the end of her dream and journey; she has reached her destination.

In conclusion, there are some aspects of this film opening I like, for example; the light hearted music and child-like animation, however I do think the never ending walking around may bore the audience as it ceases to engage them or introduce them to the main plot.