This document provides instructions for a research assignment analyzing the opening sequences of three films. Students must complete a detailed analysis of the first two to four minutes of each opening in one of several presentation formats, including a Prezi, video, PowerPoint, or podcast. The analysis must be visual and include examples from the film. Students are prompted to consider how the director engaged the audience, used or subverted stereotypes, and developed the story in the opening. Technical film techniques and relevant film theories are suggested for analysis.