2. A genre convention is a typical or
standard trope of plot, character,
setting, icon, theme, or effect in a story.
For example, Superman always have his
own uniform, and have a “S” printed on
his chest.
6. Narrative
Codes
• The main function of an opening sequence is to launch a
narrative that is so interesting and intriguing that the
audience are hooked and wanted to continue watching.
• For Barthes, there are two narrative codes that apply to
film narrative and that are relevant to opening
sequences: the action code and the enigma code. As I am
making a thriller film opening, it is the enigma code that
interest me most.
7. Enigma codes
• The enigma code sets up a situation or series of events
that require an explanation, such as most crime drama
and ghost stories. The audience carry on watching in
order to watch the unfolding of the secrets and
mysteries.
8. Action codes
• The action code are actions that are significant to the
progression of the story. This can be anything that the
alters the state of the narrative to give revelations or
introduce a new problem.
• E.g. knock at the door.
10. Typeface
• The title sequence offers the opportunity for
creativity in design and the chance to reflect the
genre and themes of the film
• Typeface is a set of one or more fonts each
composed of glyphs that share common design
features.
• E.g. Gothic fonts can always remind people of old
horror films.
• As our production contains a bit of thriller genre
and happens in the future, we are planning to
choose a kind of font which is modern but looks
like gothic at the same time.
11. Genre
• The opening sequence establishes the genre of a film:
whether it is comedy, thriller, romcom, horror,
documentary, historical, literary, or a children’s film, for
example.
• My production is a thriller genre, so it was interesting to
see how the visual and sound codes establish genre.
• Mise en scène is an important part of establishing genre
such as historical period, country of origin and social
class. This can be conveyed through clothing, sets,
lighting, casting, posture and gesture.
12. Sound Codes
in an Opening
Sequence
• Voiceover, soundtrack, dialogue
• The soundtrack is a key element in creating meaning.
Non-diegetic sound helps to set the scene and convey the
background of the story. It helps the audience to identify
the genre of the film: a narrator’s commentary offers
historical exposition, for instance, while suggestive mood
music in horror films generate suspense, fear and
tension.
• Diegetic sound, such as dialogue and spot sounds, creates
character and lends authenticity: key exchanges between
protagonists anchor the meaning of a relationship, whilst
narrative voiceovers such as the chilling opening in Gone
Girl frame a character in a particular light – in the latter
case, a man who fantasises about killing his wife.
Convincing diegetic sound can create a soundscape that
transports the viewer to another world, such as the
opening to Solo: A Star Wars Story (scifi)
or Dunkirk (war).
