opening sequence conventions

1. List of generic conventions of opening sequences

2. Conventions of your specific genre

3. Conventions you will choose to stick to

4. Conventions you will deliberately subvert (change slightly/turn on their head)

1.

·      The purpose of a film opening is to entice the audience to continue watching the film, it should usually establish the characters and the genre and this can be done in many ways.

·      Establishing shot, it is often used in an opening sequence to show the audience where the film is set, what location.

·      Sometimes there can be a narration which will inform the audience on minor details that will give them an understanding of perhaps backstory, what is going on, who the characters are etc.

·      Often in action movies there will be an opening with an action scene, which will be fast paced to get the audience interested straight away.

·      Another thing that would usually be used in action movies would be a chase scene this also attracts audiences to watch as they become interested.

·      Productions logos shown before the actual film, if the film is high budget the logo will be adapted to reflect the genre and story line of the film.

·      Title sequences can be used, sometimes showing the cast and production teams, the titles can also be used to build up tension and suspense and possibly show the genre of the film.

·      Animation can be used to portray the beginning of the film in a creative way and visibly show the difference between the film itself and the opening sequence.

·      A compilation of photographs can be used for example in romantic films, it shows the audience the theme and relationships within the film.

·      Narrative content, this includes the context as well as the pace of the narrative increases as level of engagement increases.

·      Soundtrack, the tone, volume and tempo, which will generically start, quiet and slow-paced.

2. I am choosing drama for my opening sequence so the conventions for that are:

·       Exhibits real life situations with realistic characters, settings and stories.

·      Portrays journeys of the character development.

·      Intense social interaction.

·      Purpose of a dramatic story line is to move the audience emotionally.

·      Heart of drama is the conflict.

·      Conflicts include inner/outer realistic struggles depicting hardships, difficulty, and pain.

·      Audience can relate to the characters (preferred reading - Halls Theory)

·      Structure with climaxes and anti climaxes to keep the audience emotionally attached and the tension on-going

·      A form of realisation at the end/happily ending.

3. The conventions I will try to stick with are:

·      Exhibits real life situations with realistic characters, settings and stories.

·      Portrays journeys of the character development.

·      Purpose of a dramatic story line is to move the audience dramatically.

·      Conflicts include inner/outer realistic struggles depicting hardships, difficulty, and pain.

4. Conventions I will change will be:

·      Heart of drama is conflict

·      Audience can relate to characters

·      Intense social interaction