Codes and Convention

1. Film opening Sequence
Codes and convention

2. The Hobbit: An Unexpected
Journey (2012)
Fantasy/Adventure
Baby Driver(2017)
Drama/Crime
To entice the
audience an
opening sequence
is composed
using the
following
techniques and
forms.
Flash back
Establishing shot
Narrations
Action Scene
Chase scene
Production Logo
Title Sequence
Animation
Compilation of

3. Most film begin with displaying the production team/studio logo of the
company who helped the creators of the film to distribute it. The company’s
logo is often visually modified to represent the genre of the film. In this way
the audience besides recognition can graphically and visually depict the film
genre
This Logo carries a significant meaning to audience as this metaphoric
connotation can be interpreted as a mysterious movie due to the dark
background surrounding the colorful logo.

4. The Establishing Shot displays the setting of the film to the
audience. Films often use the establishing shot in an opening
sequence in order to set the scene, time, place and mood of the
film in order to entice the audience.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Fantasy/Sci-fi

5. The title of the film are the opening credits. This consists of the
crew, cast and usually the director’s name is placed at the end
before the first scene starts. The credits are usually placed in
order so the importance of each role can be depicted by audience.
(2002)
Crime, Drama

6. The theme or topic of film is the story within a genre. This is
used to help the audience into comprehending the film through
different conventions that specify the genre of the film while
referring to common knowledge and understanding of cinematic
genre convections.
Action, Crime,
Legal Drama
Thriller, Mystery

7. In the opening sequence the characters are usually presented to
the audience. However they are only shown for a few seconds to
the audience in order to entice their curiosity.
Deadshot
Suicide Squad (2016)
Fantasy/Sci-fi

8. Narrations are essential in a film because they provide more
explanation about the plot of the film as well as information on
the leading characters and his/hers well being.
Narration can be done using diegetic voice overs to narrate what
is going on in the scene. Non-diegetic sounds are usually played
when the characters enter the scene and are used as an additional
sensory motivator in order to depict the mood and atmosphere.
Example of Diegetic Voice
over
Examples of Non-Diegetic
voice over and Sounds

9. An action or an event plays a small plot to demonstrate the
hidden plots and background story of the major film. Sometimes
there is no action or event present because the shots, location and
non diegetic sounds create the background and mood for the film.
Suicide Squad (2016)
Fantasy/Sci-fi

10. During this research I have got accustomed and outlined the key
factors used in creating a film opening sequence. I understand
that majority of main stream fiction films in dramatic terms, in
first couple of minutes have nothing going on. The main purpose
of those minutes is to present the main characters and context as
well as the degree of the enigma for the audience so they can
create preconceived idea of what to expect as the film develops.
In most fiction films, key convention while opening composing is
cut between titles and actions. Aside from getting accustomed to
composition, technical codes and conventions. I have noticed that
will comparing and analyzing range of different film sequence
that there is no fixed technical and compositional approach
towards an opening sequence. This realization gives me clarity
and creative freedom with the essential elements that must
include such as character representation, setting, to create mood

11. The following task in the successful making of my film opening
sequence will be to create a range of film story lines and develop one as
a full feature film before creating a plausible opening sequence. In
order to visual depict character and create mood of the film, I must
include these key factors in my opening sequence
• Represent main character in a changing and dramatic situation.
• Character must be shown in their everyday routine
• Representation must be portrayed using following elements:
appearance, costume, performance, location, dialogue, lightning,
props, music, diegetic/non-diegetic sounds.
To achieve the mentioned elements, I will be able to demonstrate my
originality and creativity in coming up with main stream film narrative
and technical ability in production and post production stage.