film openings

Company Logo-

The logo of the production company is shown at the very start of the film. This is because it acts as a mark of quality and if it's a well known company such as Universal people are almost guaranteed it will be a good film. For some viewers this is enough to make them decide if they want to watch the film or not.

Big Companies such as Walt Disney and Pixar usually have higher budgets, so therefore have higher quality productions, so the audience will often just presume the film will be good. In the film industry reputations and brand image have become huge, production companies such as 20th Century Fox have built a great reputation for themselves and now have worldwide audiences as well as becoming synonymous with particular genres.

Company logos sometimes give an indication to the film genre, this is because many production companies tend to focus on one genre in particular that suits their target audience e.g. Walt Dinesy is known to be for children and families.

Company logos are usually only on the screen for a few seconds this is because they are only there to show who is responsible for the film rather than for entertainment purposes.

The logos manage to attract the audience as they are very artistic and imaginative, the more recognizable the logos are the better it is for the company as it is easier for them to promote and expand.

Studio information can help with the success of a production company. If it's not presented in the right way it won't catch the audiences attention. Cast and credit informs the audience on the directors and actors involved in the film. Sometimes the names are purposely displayed in certain order to signify the importance of the people, this is why well known actors are usually shown at the beginning of the film, this way they are recognizable to the viewers encouraging them to continue watching.

Title-

The title screen, presents the name of the film in a much more effective, creative way than just plain text, they do this by using different effects and linking it to the plot of the film. There not over complicated purely because simplicity is effective enough. If there's too much going on on the screen it takes the attention away from the title, distracting the viewers from it. What production companies want from the audience is for them to remember the name so they can promote through word and mouth as well as social networking.

Genre-

The genre of the film can be connoted to the target audience by using the four conventional micro elements:

mise-en-scene

lighting

sound

camera shots and angles

Mise-en-scene-

The opening scene of the 2017 Baywatch tells the audience where the film is set (abroad, somewhere hot) when the film is set (modern day) and the genre of the film (action/comedy)

The mise-en-scene in film opening sets the scene, background and era of the film giving the audience a good understanding of the film and it's genre.

Lighting-

Lighting also plays a huge part in films and in openings it often indicates the genre. High-key lighting gives a bright, lively effect and is often used in comedies, musicals and children's films. Where as low-key lighting is commonly used in horror films and thrillers this is because it gives a more shadowy, mysterious effect.

Low-key lighting

High-key lighting

Camera shots and angles-

Camera shots and angles can suggest the genre to the audience in the opening scene. Close ups are often used in horror movies to allow the audience to see the frightened expressions clearly on the actors face. Close ups also prevent the audience from seeing the mise-en-scene this is scary for the audience as it is only natural for humans to be scared of the unkown.

In contrast to this action films tend to open with long shots so that the viewers can get a full picture and idea of what is going. This is usually because action films are packed with intense, fast movements to give the film the pace and intensity that is needed for that particular genre.

Sound-

Non-diegetic and diegetic sound can both be used in opening scenes. However non-diegetic is more commonly used to open films. This is because music and voice overs are a good way to set the scene, genre and to introduce characters.

Diegetic Opening

Non-diegetic Opening

Character Introduction-

The majority of films open by introducing the audience to the main characters. This can be done through either showing the character in a shot or by using a point of view shot. Point of view shots can help signify to the audience the characters interests and the fact they feature early on in the film connotes their importance to the film and narrative.

Themes and topics-

All films deal with different themes and topics. These themes may be love, revenge, depression etc. however they are usually presented early on in the film so the audience can identify with what the film has installed.

For example Love, Simon deals with the themes of sexuality and as an audience we get hints of this throughout the opening scene.

Narrative-

Narration and text gives the target audience an insight into what is happening within the scene. As well as introducing characters voice overs are also a great way to set the scene. A good narrative in the opening scene will engage the audience and encourage them to continue watching. There a four main narrative theories:

1. Todrov- this is when there's an equilibrium followed by a disruption, recognition, resolution and finally a new equilibrium.

2. Levi-strauss- this is to do with binary opposites e.g. good v evil

3. Propp- this is to with the characters and their roles e.g. there's always a princess, donor, hero etc.

4. Barthes- this includes enigma and action codes and suggests that everything happens for a reason which is revealed later in the film.

Flash back opening-

Films can have two types of narratives a linear or a non-linear, linear is when everything happens in chronological order and non linear is when the film consists of flash back and flash forwards.

Text-

The text behind a film is extremely important and significant to the film itself. Producers need to turn the text and basic ideas behind movies into reality in order to present to their audience. If the text is unclear and not portrayed well in the opening of a film it is likely the views won't enjoy or won't continue to watch the film purely because they will have a lack of understanding of what it is about and why things have been done.

Enigma

Enigma is commonly used in openings as it helps build anticipation which intrigues the audience, drawing them in and encouraging them to continue watching. Enigma codes leave the audience confused with many unanswered questions which they desire to find out. This helps persuade them to watch the film as that is the only way the answers will be uncovered. This is a key factor in hooking the audience so it is essential that this is used correctly and effectively .

What happened to the dad?

Where is he taking them?

Who is this man?