The document provides information about film openings, specifically for the comedy horror genre. It discusses common elements found in openings for films like Zombieland, The Addams Family, and Shaun of the Dead. These elements include establishing the genre, setting, and providing an early storyline to engage viewers. Successful openings also employ techniques like catchy music and fast pacing to build suspense. The document then gives a brief history of credits, noting that older films listed full production details in openings rather than endings. It contrasts the comedy horror genre with a romantic fantasy film. Specific conventions for The Addams Family are described, like using dark colors and reaction shots for comedy.

1. Film openings
researchComedy horror
Beth Barlow

2. What is a film opening?
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In a motion picture, the opening credits are shown at the very beginning
and list the most important members of the production. They are now
usually shown as text superimposed on a blank screen or static pictures,
or sometimes on top of action in the show. There may or may not be
accompanying music. Where opening credits are built into a separate
sequence of their own, the correct term is title sequence (such as the
familiar James Bond and Pink Panther title sequences).
Opening credits since the early 1980s, if present at all, identify the major
actors and crew, while the closing credits list an extensive cast and
production crew. Historically, however, opening credits have been the
only source of crew credits and, largely, the cast, although over time the
tendency to repeat the cast, and perhaps add a few players, with their
roles identified (as was not always the case in the opening credits),
evolved.

3. Film openings to back up the
genre: Comedy Horror
 Zombieland The
Addams family Shaun of the dead-

4. What you expect to see?
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When a film grabs your attention from the opening frame, knocks you
out of your seat or even grinds you into it, you tend to remember it
fondly, even if the rest of it fails to measure up.
The opening should tell us about the genre of the film, the setting and
also the location.
The opening may tell us one of the storylines of the movie to keep the
viewers watching and to give the audience a taster of the narrative.
It should include many different techniques such as catchy music to fast
pace editing.
The most important element of a film opening is the element of
suspense.

5. The history
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Up until the 1970s, closing credits for films usually listed only a reprise of the
cast members with their roles identified, or even simply just said "The End",
requiring opening credits to normally contain the details. For instance, the title
sequence of the 1968 film Oliver! runs for about three-and-a-half minutes, and
while not listing the complete cast, does list nearly all of its technical credits at
the beginning of the film, all set against a background of what appear to be,
but in fact are not, authentic nineteenth-century engravings of typical
London life. The only credit at film's end is a listing of most of the cast,
including cast members not listed at the beginning. These are set against a
replay of some of the "'Consider Yourself" sequence.
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Some opening credits are presented over the opening sequences of a film,
rather than in a separate title sequence. The opening credits for the 1993 film
The Fugitive continued intermittently over several opening scenes, and did not
finish until fifteen minutes into the film. The opening credits for the 1968 film
Once Upon a Time in the West lasted for fourteen minutes.

6. A genre to contrast with comedy
horror- Romantic fantasy
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As an example of comedy with horror themes „The
Addams Family‟ fits this genre as it is comical and
suited for families, however has horror themes. It
contrasts greatly with Tim Burton‟s film, Edward
Scissorhands as it seems similar in the ways it has
humour to the films and horror attributes however
this films borderline theme is love.

7. Information for the genre
 Shaun
of the dead
 A very British sense of humour colours
every corner of this superbly scripted and
acted Romero zombie tribute, making it
the funniest horror movie of all time. Or is it
the scariest comedy movie of all time?
Either way, it paved the way for a rash of
horror-comedies in the early 21st century
looking to cash in on its success, but none
could touch Shaun's sheer brilliance.

8. Codes and conventions for
The Addams family
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Dark and gloomy colours present a super-natural
atmosphere. Though the characters are not vampire or
were-wolves, or have powers there is something not
quite right.
The mid shots allow the audience to feel comfortable
and relaxed to take the comedy aspects. Through there
are all close ups towards the characters “Hand” to show
the size of him. Reaction shots are also involving
comedy.