The document discusses the codes and conventions commonly used in film openings. It notes that openings aim to entice audiences to watch the full film by hooking them with the narrative, characters, and theme. Openings typically include credits and identify the genre through visual and auditory cues. They launch the story through either an "enigma code" that presents a mystery or an "action code" where unfolding events drive the plot. Establishing shots, music, sound, and voiceovers are important techniques for setting the scene and tone. The document provides several examples to illustrate how film openings effectively employ these conventions.

1. Codes and Conventions of a
Film Opening

2. • Art of the Title is an online publication dedicated to title
sequence design, spanning the film, television, conference,
and video game industries. The publication is both an
educational and historical resource and a contemporary
publication, focusing on the creative process behind the
design of title sequences.
• I used this website to research the codes and conventions
of film openings.
• I watched various different openings before deciding to
analyse three sequences related to our own film opening.

3. The Main Conventions
• The main purpose of a film opening is to entice the audience into wanting to watch
the rest of the film. A successful film opening ‘hooks’ the audience. The opening
launches the narrative and introduces the main theme and characters.
• Title sequences usually feature the protagonist or antagonist early on and identify
the principal actors by name along with other credits.
• The film opening will also clearly signal the genre of the film. This is done through
clear visual and sound codes. For example, thriller film openings are serious in
content and tone; they often use realistic lighting and sets; the soundtrack will
generate tension, suspense or a quality of menace or peril.
• Film openings are creative and different, although all share certain conventions.
They include text identifying the distributors, producers, actors director of
photography, screen writer, original author and so on. The title sequence usually
ends with the introduction of the film’s title.

4. Narrative codes
• Roland Barthes suggests that the majority of film openings launch a
narrative that falls into either the ‘action’ code or the ‘enigma’ code.
• Films that open with an enigma (mystery, puzzle, crime) present the
audience with a situation that needs to be explained. The narrative has
twists and turns, perhaps red herrings, questions which are answered,
discoveries made. Details are held back and gradually are uncovered.
The crime genre would typically use the enigma code as secrets and
guilt are gradually exposed.
• Film narrative with the action code feature events that unfold that
trigger further action. Each development leads to the next stage of the
narrative, culminating in the climax. Westerns use the action code.

5. Enigma
• Enigma codes are used constantly
through film openings. This is done to
entice the audience into wanting to
watch more. I hope to create enigma
in my film opening.
• Enigma keeps the audience asking
questions. This is effective in hooking
the audience as they will watch the
rest of the movie to find out the
answer to these questions.
• A great example of this of enigma
being effectively used is during the
Women in Black, where three young
girls jump from a window ledge. This
leaves the audience shocked and
asking why innocent girls would kill
themselves?

6. Studio and Production
Logos
• Film openings will always show
the logos of the production
companies and often the
distribution companies
involved. These are often
overlooked by the audience.
However, they can give an
insight into the film. For
example, if the Warner Bros.
logo is shown, the audience is
likely to expect a big budget
block buster film.

7. Titles and Typography
Title sequences are essential to attract anding the audience’s attention. The
colours, style and choice of font contribute significantly to the meaning of the
text. This is part of what Barthes called semiotic codes.
This is important to engage the audience’s attention. For example, the Stranger
Things title sequence, features famous actors’ names like David Harbour in clean,
sans serif font against a plain black background that allows the stylish red neon
lights to shine.

8. Establishing genre
• The mise-en-scène is a vital part
of the visual codes in the film that
establishes the genre. From
scenery to character outfits to
lighting, it is essential to the
audience when understanding the
theme of the film.
• For example, within a thriller the
key convention present to the
audience would be the use of
dark colours, low lighting and an
unsettling setting. This suggests
to the audience there may be
suspense, terror and death in the
film.

9. Launch of narration
Narration is used to introduce the main characters and plot to the audience.
Often, this is done through voice overs; this anchors the meaning of the visuals .
An example of an intriguing opening using voiceover is American Psycho with its
first-person voice over from Patrick Bateman. This invites the audience into his
life. This is effective as the audience quickly realises how obsessive and
compulsive he is.
By contrast, a very different voiceover opens Love Actually where Hugh Grant
offers a warm, romantic vision of how love governs most people’s actions.

10. Sound
• In film openings sound codes are important tools in creating atmosphere,
signalling genre and making the narrative convincing and realistic. Non-
diegetic sound is the most common as it helps set the scene and conveys
the genre for the audience. This is commonly done through music reflecting
the mood. For example, slow and tense music may be used in horror films.
• On the other hand, some film openings use diegetic sound. This helps the
audience understand the characters. This is typically done in comedy films
where the actors may be dancing to jolly music. This is done effectively in
Cheaper By The Dozen as the audience are presented with actors acting
cheering in a kitchen as they all listen to the radio.
• Some films may even include theme tunes. This is done to set the overall
feel of the film. It can also be used when setting expectations of the film.
This works particularly well when the film is associated with a well known
franchise, like Harry Potter or Star Wars, where the iconic theme tunes are
played in the opening of each film.