This document discusses the codes and conventions commonly used in film opening sequences. It explains that openings aim to generate audience interest and engagement to watch the full film. It then lists and describes several typical elements used in mainstream film openings, including establishing the studio, titles, genre, characters, themes, sound, narration, credits, and action scenes. The purpose of these elements is to set the scene, provide context clues, and draw viewers in through mystery, tension, or action.

1. AS MEDIA STUDIES
FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO
FILM OPENING SEQUENCE
CODES AND CONVENTIONS
•This presentation is done as a
part of my secondary research.
• During research I was going thru
internet , trying to find
inspiration in YouTube videos and
interesting texts

2. INTRODUCTION
• The purpose of film opening sequence is to make audience interest and
willing into carrying on to watch a film
• Film opening should be establishing characters and genre.
• Majority of mainstream films in order to be liked to the audience and
to point out key elements of the film follow narrative , established
genre , compositional and graphical codes and conventions such as:
• studio
• titles genre
• themes and
topics
• establishing the gerne
• introduction of characters• sound
• narrations
• enigma
• credits • flashback
• establishing shot
• Action and chase scene

3. • Studio- film opening will always show identification or
logos of the production companies ( often the distribution
company who produced media text), if a film is having a
big budget the logo can be adapted to reflect genre and
story line of the movie. SGI is used to improve the
appearance of the logo these days
• Titles- the usage of titles is vary obvious . Titles are
graphical feature that is used to build up suspense, It
shows title of the film, all casts and production team ,
that were all involved in making a movie.
• Establishing the genre- genre in the film opening
sequence I portrayed so the audience can be able to
establish the genre within opening of film. So opening
will probably include event or character that is known for
a particular genre.

4. • Establishing of characters- in
opening scene of a film, establishing
of characters is used so the audience
is introduced to the main characters,
it signifies the characters importance
and status. In some films the
directors chose not to show
characters, so they can stay hidden
and mysterious •Topic/Theme- it is introduced in
opening of film so audience can create
clear understanding of what they can
expect and what is film about. For
example for comedies and horrors most
of the time there will be theme
suggesting the genre• Narration- it is used in order to
provide information for audience of
what is going on and what will happen
in film. It can be left out because of
creating mystery and tension. In some
films they use non-diegetic sound as
voice overs which give audience a
better understanding and makes the
film more interesting and intriguing

5. • Sound- non-diegetic or diegetic,
both are used in order to help to
set a scene or establish genre .
Also some films may use
contrapuntal sound in opening to
add some mystery
•Enigma- they are
used to create questions
and tension from the
start so the audience fell
interested and hooked to
finding out more
• Credit- credits are
shown in opening of film,
usually clear ,bold and in
readable topography to
show the importance of
credits

6. • Action and chase scene- action
scene is fast paced opening, it
make audience interested
immediately and willing to know
more. It is familiar to action scene
•Flashback – in some opening flashback
is used to show character past or kay
event that will trigger the rest of a film
• Establishing shot – this is one of the
most important camera technique, it
is extreme long shot used to show
place of film .