This document discusses the codes and conventions of film openings. It provides examples from the beginning of a psychological thriller film. The opening establishes the production companies and introduces the main characters. Mysterious fade ins/outs set the tone that it will be a horror or thriller genre. The first scene shows the characters in a relationship, using low key lighting. The next scene reveals something is wrong, drawing the audience in. It is then revealed a mentally disturbed man has broken in, establishing it as a psychological thriller. The ending of the sample opening leaves the audience wondering if the character will survive after being shot, engaging them to continue watching.

1. Codes and
Codes and
conventions of film
conventions of film
openings.
openings.

2. Begins to showBegins to show ‘‘Hollywood PicturesHollywood Pictures’’ which is a label ofwhich is a label of
Walt Disney studios. It also showsWalt Disney studios. It also shows ‘‘SpyglassSpyglass
entertainmententertainment’’ which is a distribution company.which is a distribution company.

3. Kennedy/ Marshall is a well known company that producesKennedy/ Marshall is a well known company that produces
entertainment to audiences worldwide.entertainment to audiences worldwide.
Along with Barry Mendel, who is a well known producer.Along with Barry Mendel, who is a well known producer.

4. It introduces the actors names using a fade in and out, with aIt introduces the actors names using a fade in and out, with a
font that consists of capital letters, and sharp lettering.The fadefont that consists of capital letters, and sharp lettering.The fade
in and out connote the type of genre it belongs too, as it seemsin and out connote the type of genre it belongs too, as it seems
mysterious. Also the black background can connotemysterious. Also the black background can connote
seriousness. However, the colour black is normally associatedseriousness. However, the colour black is normally associated
with death or evilness, which suggests this film is a horror orwith death or evilness, which suggests this film is a horror or
thriller.thriller.

5. The first scene introduces both characters for the audience toThe first scene introduces both characters for the audience to
feel familiar with them.They both show a loving attitude to onefeel familiar with them.They both show a loving attitude to one
another which shows they are in a relationship. It uses low keyanother which shows they are in a relationship. It uses low key
lighting which connotes again that this is a horror or thriller.lighting which connotes again that this is a horror or thriller.

6. The next scene they discover something is not right.ThisThe next scene they discover something is not right.This
makes the audience worry on what has actuallymakes the audience worry on what has actually
happened.This makes it a successful opening as thehappened.This makes it a successful opening as the
audience is already drawn into watching what willaudience is already drawn into watching what will
happen next.happen next.

7. TheThe audience then finds out that a man who is mentallyaudience then finds out that a man who is mentally
disturbed has broken in, and is accusing the man, whodisturbed has broken in, and is accusing the man, who
was his psychiatrist, of doing something wrong.Thiswas his psychiatrist, of doing something wrong.This
automatically helps the audience to understand thatautomatically helps the audience to understand that
this film is a psychological thriller.this film is a psychological thriller.

8. Bruce Willis is then shot, and the camera shot shows aBruce Willis is then shot, and the camera shot shows a
birds eye view and moves out slowly. It then fades outbirds eye view and moves out slowly. It then fades out
and gives the audience and affect of sitting at the edgeand gives the audience and affect of sitting at the edge
of their seats, wanting to know if he will survive or not.of their seats, wanting to know if he will survive or not.

9. Filmopeningsare
Filmopeningsareusedto:
usedto:
• Show the audience
Show the audience
where the film is set.
where the film is set.
• Introduce the characters.
Introduce the characters.
• Show the genre and what
Show the genre and what
the film is about.
the film is about.
• Draw the audiences
Draw the audiences
attention into the film.
attention into the film.

10. Conventionsofafilm
Conventionsofafilm
opening
opening
• Introduce the key
Introduce the key
characters, eg: protagonist,
characters, eg: protagonist,
antagonist, sidekick ect.
antagonist, sidekick ect.
• Introduce the beginning of
Introduce the beginning of
the narrative.
the narrative.• Establishes a
Establishes aplatform/scene.
platform/scene.
• Key credits such as
Key credits such as
production company, star
production company, star
system and director.
system and director.
• A key event will occur.
A key event will occur.
• Non diegetic sound.
Non diegetic sound.