Film opening codes

1. Film openings;
codes and
conventions
Tallulah Duffy

2. The main convention
The main purpose of a film opening is to capture the audience’s attention.
When making a film opening the director has to consider 3 things;
• What is the purpose of the film opening?
• Who is the target audience
• What actors will be featured

3. Film opening example
In film, suspense is often built in the opening scene to
capture the audience’s attention. Take jaws for example,
Stephen Spielberg used lighting and different camera
angles and shots to build this atmosphere. Eerie music is
also used to build tension for a dramatic effect. The
tempo increases during the introduction, this is meant to
symbolize a racing heartbeat. The lighting is dim and the
water is dark and mirky. The dimly lit water makes the
audience feel anxious as darkness has connotation of
danger. The creepy atmosphere combined with the
somber music foreshadows events to come; the shark
attacks. The music works it’s way up to a crescendo
which further builds suspense. The ultimate climax in the
opening scene is when screeching violins are heard (a
non-diegetic sound source) and the word ‘Jaws’ appears
in capital letters.

4. Titles – Titles give us our first impression about a film, it sets the
tone for the screenplay and gives the audience a general overview
about what the film is about
The bright red colour stands out,
our eyes are drawn to it. The
colour red has connotations of
danger/suspense and blood. This
could be used as subtle
foreshadowing to hint at
disastrous events to come. It’s the
boldest part of the poster
because it’s the most important
The blue colour is muted
and not contrasting which
further draws attention to
the red writing
Billing blocks- centered at bottom of poster so
doesn’t draw attention away from the main image
Tag lines- audience
look at this first.
‘No.1 best seller’ –
good reviews will
make the film more
appealing to
audience
3 main actors- if the
actors are well
known/liked, an
audience may be more
likely to trust that the
film will be enjoyable

5. Art of the title – an example of some of the most eye catching
film posters

6. Sound codes
Sound is usually used in the opening of a film; either
diegetic or non-diegetic . The most common form of sound
is in a film opening is non-diegetic as this demonstrates to
the audience the genre of the film. For example, eerie music
would suggest to the audience that the film is a horror
movie. Some films incorporate theme music such as Harry
Potter. The theme music is part of a franchise. The iconic
music sets the theme for the film and adds a sense of
familiarity for the audience.

7. Establishing genre
It is important for a film maker to establish genre. The genre of a film will indicate who the film needs to be marketed at and perhaps even the general age
group who would watch the film. The genre can determine how much money a film is likely to make. For example, a Hollywood action film would
naturally do better than a home movie.
Genre categorises films. This makes it easier for a person to decide which types of movies they like and dislike.
The equation for remembering genre is: Story (action) + plot + character + setting = genre

8. Narrative codes-
action or enigma ?
• Enigma codes- entice the audience to carry on watching the film.
Questions are posed which will be answered later in the film. E.g.
‘Where is he going? What’s he doing?’. Mystery can drive a story
which evidently entices the audience to carry on watching.
• Action codes- gives the audience needed information through key
moments. For example, a car crash. These moments change the
specific scene/narrative which ultimately keeps the action alive.
Barthe believed that one action could essentially lead to another
hence driving the plot of a film forward, but in a different way.
Barthes’ action/enigma codes

9. Topic/theme- the theme is the central idea
presented in a film opening
The theme is arguably the most important factor of a screenplay
opening. It sets the tone for the rest of the film. Many elements of a
movie are regulated by the theme. The character development, plot
and story that takes place in a film give meaning to the theme. It’s
essentially the driving intention. When making a film, the screenplay
writer has to ensure that communication in the movie is effective so
that the audience feels satisfied analytically and emotionally after
watching it.