The document discusses several techniques used in film openings to set the tone and establish expectations for the rest of the film. It describes how editing pace, sound design, mise-en-scene elements like lighting, costumes, sets and props, and location can be manipulated to convey genre and mood. Fast-paced editing may imply a thriller, while limited cuts suggest something more mysterious. Sounds, costumes and lighting are also used to immerse viewers in the intended atmosphere through techniques like diegetic, non-diegetic and high-key vs low-key lighting. Examples from films like Citizen Kane, Star Wars and Misfits are provided.

1. By Hadley Stones

2.  Film opening conventions are what we look for in
the opening few minute of a film they
depict/establish what the genre is and we get a feel
for what the film may be about and what the
overall feeling of the film is.

3.  The editing in most film openings can determine
the feel of it such as if the editing id quite limited
and doesn’t use as many cuts then the film can
flow and become quite aerie and mysterious which
can add enigma to the film. However with films
such as hot fuzz, Shaun of the dead and worlds
end , the editing is quite fast and from shot to shot
which is an iconic way of editing in the time we are
in now and is a recognise style of editing. However
this is not actually used in the film opening of
these films.

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RsL69a8XqW8
In the link above is a film that shows fast paced editing and
many cuts from an A Level media film opening called Fatal
Error. This makes the film out to be very fast paced from the
start which sets the mood and pace for the rest of the film
opening.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNUSDu-Tehg
On the other hand in the other link is an example of a film
opening with not as many cuts as the first film opening. The
first few minutes of The Dark Knight Rises has some cuts but is
aloud to flow more than the first one and these are to opposite
examples of each other.

5.  The sound used in many film openings is relating to the genre
and is used by the director to convey what they want you to feel
in the film opening.
 -Diagetic sound: The diagetic sound used in film openings
is what can be heard in the the scene and can be heard by
everyone. This includes dialogue, surroundings, vehicles etc.
Diagetic sound can be used to help set the scene with what you
can here.
 -Non Diagetic sound: So on the other hand the non diagetic
sound is the sound that only the audience can here for example
the music over the top of the scene to set the mood and feelings
in the scene for example in a horror film opening we would hear
quite aerie and mysterious music to make us feel that something
is going to happen in the opening few minutes however in some
cases we have seen before the music be quite cheerful and
happy but then turn very quickly to dark and scary music as the
mood of the scene quickly changes.

6.  Mise-en-scene is the arrangement of
everything that appears in the framing such
as actors, lighting, props, costume. In many
films Mise-en-scene is designed to evoke
emotions that permeate the whole movie.

7.  Set design is how the set is dressed
comprising mainly of the furniture, props,
and the set itself. The set is designed to
evoke thoughts and make a deeper meaning
to where everything is placed and can give off
many thoughts and feelings about the scene.

8.  Lighting is one of the most important
features when wanting to evoke emotions if
manipulated in a certain way then you can
effectively convey the emotions of a scene.
 There are two types of lighting:
◦ High key lighting: Often seen in romantic comedies
and musicals to convey positive themes.
◦ Low key lighting: Often seen in horror movies and
thrillers. Can be used to portray negative themes
and unnerve the audience at times.

9. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-r0b_XeRkG4
The Link above is to Citizen Kane which has
an opening scene with much low key
lighting which conveys a lot of enigma to the
audience watching and also slightly
unnerves the audience.

10.  Costume in a film can identity information about
the characters profession and also can help to
establish a characters status and a hierarchy level
in the film such as in an army or high organisation
will clearly show who is an everyday worker and
who is an important figure.
Such as in Star Wars episode IV: A New
Hope, Darth Vader is shown in different
costume to the storm troopers when he
is first shown in this film which is a
clear instigation that he is in charge or
at least of a higher power and they are
just ground soldiers

11.  Locations can be sued to establish a place that can
called home in some films or series, however some
of the opening locations can be used later again in
the film if used for a flashback or they re visit it but
can also be forgotten as the film progresses and is
only sued to introduce someone/something
important in the film.
This shot in misfits of the
iconic locker room which is
shown at the very start of the
first episode in the series
becomes very familiar as a lot
of big moments in the series
are later shot in here and most
episodes do start in this
location.

12.  Props can be used in film openings to determine
things such status/power , genre, themes and
overall feeling of the film opening. They can also
add to the enigma of the film opening such as a
mysterious object or one that loads of people are
looking for this then makes people ask the
question why do they want this object? What does
it do? What will happen if it falls in the wrong
hands? This adds to the suspense and can make
the first few minutes of a film very effective.

13.  In the Book of Eli opening scene Eli is shown
walking through a wasteland before being
confronted by waste Landers who have guns and
more weapons than him this is where the director
tries to show they have more status and power
than Eli however as the scene progresses we see
this is not the case as he goes against there status
and power by coming out on top.