Studio logos and titles are usually one of the first things shown in films. Larger studios like Warner Bros. have consistent logos while smaller studios may just use titles. The logo or style it is presented in can suggest the genre, like a dark Warner Bros. logo hinting at a thriller. Films then establish the genre through titles, actors, shots, editing and other elements to set the tone and mood for viewers. Main characters are often introduced in the first few minutes through mid and close shots to portray their role and fit with the implied genre. Sound is also key to conveying genre, like jazz music in Gran Torino signaling a somber film.

1. Film Opening Conventions
By Will De Ath

2. Studio titles and logos
• Studio titles and logos are usually one of
the first things to be shown on screen in
a film.
• These Studios can be a large or a smaller
company showing different types of
logos and titles depending on their
popularity.

3. Studio titles and logos
• For example, Twickenham Film Studios, who
are a smaller company, do not have a set logo
for their company so they just use a title to
show their name:
• On the other hand larger film studios like
Warner Bros. stick to a set logo to display their
company name:

4. Studio titles and logos
• Studio’s logos can give us a suggestion of what
the genre could be before the film starts.
• An example of this is shown in a Warner Bros.
film. This film shows the Warner Bros. logo in
a dark, black and white version:
• This shows us a instant look of
what the film’s genre might be like as this one
connotes that it could be a thriller.

5. Genres
• Most film opening try to show the genre clearly before
the film starts which makes the audience feel the mood
and atmosphere of the film and therefore keeps them
interested.
• They do this by their titles, logos, sound, camera shots,
actors, editing and lighting.
• For example the film ‘Visioneers’ shows Zach Galifianakis,
a comedy actor, who suggests to the viewer the film’s
genre of comedy.

6. Genres
• For example the film ‘Visioneers’ shows Zach
Galifianakis, a comedy actor, who suggests to
the viewer the film’s genre of comedy.
• All these aspects try to show the viewer what
the establishing genre is.

7. Characters
• Film openings usually show the main
characters in the first 2-3 minutes to establish
what is on with them and who they are in the
film.
• This is important to the film as it introduces
the audience to what is expected out of the
film from the type and genre of the actors
playing the parts.

8. Characters
• The film openings normally show them in a
mid shot/close up shot to show the audience
what they are like as a character.
• This is done to suggest to the audience more
of the establishing genre and the themes that
fit around the characters.

9. Text
• The text in film opening scenes are key for
establishing genres and themes in films
• For example, the different types of font, sizes and
colours of the text can instantly influence you on
what the film may be about.
• The film 40 year old virgin shows a simple title in
plan white connoting to the viewers that it could be a
comedy about a simple man.

10. Sound
• The sound in film openings is one of the most key
things that make the viewer interested and
makes them understand the genre and themes
easier.
• For example, the film Gran Torino starts with a
instrumental version of the theme song sung by
Jamie Cullum – Gran Torino. This suggests to us
that as the song artist is of a Jazz style this shows
the audience that it is in for a sad film that the
Jazz music has set.