AS Media studies

1. FILM OPENING SEQUENCE
Codes and Conventions
Andjela Rodic AS Media Studies

2. Introduction
● Purpose of a film opening sequence is to
introduce the audience to the genre of the
movie, establish the setting, indicate the
mood and visual aspects of the movie,
amongst other elements. The main purpose of
an opening sequence is to catch the
audiences’ attention and desire to continue
watching the movie. This can be done by
certain types of shots, character introduction,

3. To intrigue the audience, mainly these
forms and techniques are being used:
‣ Title Sequence
‣ Animation
‣ Narrative content
‣ Establishing Shot
‣ Chase and Action Scene
‣ Productions Logo
‣ Sound
‣ Enigma
‣ Character introduction
‣ Themes and topics

4. Title Sequence
■ The purpose of a film
title is to represent it and
depict its mood. It's
usually clear, easily
readable and visually
appealing so it attracts
possible viewers. Titles
often fit the genre of the
movie: for example. a
movie for children will
have a childish,
Defending Jacob,
2020
The Good Lord Bird, 2020

5. Animation
■ This way of making the
opening sequence is
used to add an
artisting, creative and
unique feel to the
movie. It lights up the
atmosphere and can
also be used for
making the difference
between the opening
Catch me if you can, 2002

6. Narrative content
■ Narration in films is used to make them more
interesting and appealing to the audience. It
can also help the audience get a better
understanding of the full story, as it further
explains and gives additional information
about the plot and characters. It is an easy
way of immediately involving the audience and
engaging them in the story.

7. Establishing Shot
■ Another ferquently
used opening is an
Establishing shot. It is
logical that this is an
essential part of an
opening sequence
since it shows where
and when all the
actions will happen;
unless it is not meant
The Devil Wears Prada, 2006

8. Chase and Action Scene
■ If containing an action
or chase scene in the
opening sequence, the
film will start off with
a fast pace,
establishing the action
genre while intriguing
the audience and
making them wonder
about the events that
Mad Max: Fury Road, 2015

9. Productions Logo
■ Almost all films have an opening involving the
production company's logo. It is there in order to
give credit to the company and somewhat give a
glimpse of the film's genre.
This is the logo of the production company
‘Walt Disney Pictures’ In the logo they’ve
used the symbolic Disneylandcastle with
the focus mainly on it. Behind it is a sky
with a few colours complementing the rest
and a body of water surrounded by nature.
Everything except the castle is dimmed to
enhance it. The words 'Walt Disney' are
displayed in Disney's symbolic logo and
underneat them is the word fully bolded
'Pictures. The company s name Is written in

10. Sound
■ The opening usually contains a song, which sets the
atmosphere and mood of the movie. It could be a
spooky or uncomfortable sound for horror movies, or
even, along with an establishing shot, the typical
music of a city or country, for example a trip to
France. Narrations are the other most popular sound
used; it gives more information of the way the
character thinks, a part of his mind. Animated
movies, cartoons, usually begins with a voice-over
or narration, since it is the best way to introduce

11. Enigma
■ Enigma codes in opening sequences are used to
intrigue the audience and create a sense of
mysterious tension. It hooks the audience from
the very beginning and makes them wonder and
question what happens later in the film, so they
have a desire to keep watching.

12. Character introduction
■ The film cannot
continue if the
audience doesn't know
who the characters
are; therefore, even if
only a glimpse,
characters must be
shown to peek the
interest of the
viewers.
Suicide Squad, 2016

13. Themes and topics
■ The topic of the film is introduced in the
opening sequence and it is used to give the
audience a sense of what's the film about
without giving away details. Along with that, it
introduces the genre of the film.