The document analyzes genre conventions used in the opening sequence of the film Harry Potter. It discusses how the opening establishes the setting of Privet Drive through a sign with an owl at night, creating mystery and tension. Subsequent shots of the owl flying and a character holding a prop object engage the audience and imply that action is about to begin. Conventions like the nighttime setting, use of props, and introduction of the hero Dumbledore support the action adventure genre and keep the audience intrigued about what will happen next.

1. Harry Potter
By Lauren Mo

2. Opening Sequence Conventions: The film
opens with The Warner Bros Logo.

3. Opening Sequence/Genre Conventions:
The films starts with a fade in of a sign and an owl
on the sign. This emphasises the genre, as the
audience don’t know where ‘Privet Drive’ is,
creating an intense atmosphere and highlighting
the genre of adventure.
The owl on the sign creates mystery, as audiences
will be intrigued to see why the owl is there, and
what is about to happen keeping them engaged.
The night time setting is also conventional as it
further builds tension .

4. Genre conventions:
The owl is followed by a tracking shot, making
audiences engaged on the owl. This animal in
particular symbolises the night, creating an unsettling
atmosphere. This is because audiences aren’t able to
see clearly where the setting is and understand what
may happen next. It may be unsettling, but keeps
readers intrigued and interested in the clip.
The night setting is a conventional of action
adventure as it is easy to build up tension and
create a more exciting atmosphere for
audience keeping them engaged and jumping
of there seats.

5. Genre Conventions:
The character is introduced by a prop. This makes
audiences excited and want to know who is holding this
specific object. This is conventional of a action/adventure
as it implies this prop is about to be used for a specific
reason, implying to readers the action is about to begin.
This particular shot makes readers on the edge of there
seat.

6. Genre Conventions:
The setting is not too distant in the past, which
is usually an action, adventure conventions,
however the character Dumbledore may seen
to be. Even though he is seen to be from a
fictional story he is realistic. This is because the
setting will help audiences relate to the film .
The long shot of Dumbledore holding up the
prop to the light makes audiences engaged
more and wonder why he is doing this.

7. Genre Conventions:
A shallow focus is used to highlight the power of
Dumbledore. The convention of the action
adventure is supported here, as audiences may see
him as the hero, due to the symbolic idea that he is
putting light in this setting. This may show readers
he will be the person who is against the darkness
and ‘villain’ that is in a typical action, adventure.

8. Genre Convention :
A two person shot is used in the opening sequence; this
particular shot creates an intense atmosphere, as the
setting of this scene is at night, and there is fog in the
background of this. This mystical setting makes readers
more engaged in the film.
The women is seen to be his ‘sidekick’, which is typical
in an action adventure film. However, this highlights
the idea of men being in power, and women being
men.