Film opening: Codes and

conventions.
Code and conventions: are signs or
elements which make the extract
iconography of a film opening.

The code and conventions:

Production and Disruption company logo.

Title (Graphics/typography- cast and crew)
establishing the genre
Non-diegetic and diegetic soundtracks (e.g
parallel/contrapuntal)

Enigma
Narrative (introduction to narrative)

Production and distribution

company logos.
A production company logo is always shown
in the very beginning of the opening
sequence often followed by the distribution
company to build up expectation within the
target audience. For example; if the
audience were to see the universal studios
logo the audience are expecting an high
budget blockbuster (an very popular or
successful production).

Some production and distribution companys

include:
Warner Bros. pictures
Dreamworks animations
Walt Disney pictures
Keywords:
Production company:
The production company is the company which produces the film. For example; The
Warner Bro. pictures is the production company for harry Potter.
Distribution company:
The distribution company is responsible for the marketing of the film, eg released
dates for the cinemas.

Title (Graphics/typography- cast and crew)

An film opening is a brief prologue or introduction to tell the target
audience the names of the people and organisations that have taken part
in the making of the production; giving them acknowledgement for their
role.
This information can be represented powerfully in a way which is
expresses the genre of the film.
Example of some names/organisations which would be represented:
Production company
Producers names
Directior(s) names
Lead characters (such as protagonist and antagonist- typically most
famous)
Crew/ supporting cast.
These titles within the opening sequences foreshadows the genre to the
target audience; from which the way the titles are represented or which
actors have been casted. For example, seeing Tim Burtons and Johnny
Depps name in the credit sequence, suggests expectations of an
gothic/horror genre.

Establishing the genre

The idea behind an opening sequence is to give the target audience

limited information to keep them eager and around to watch the rest of
the film.
Within the film opening scene they; establish the genre:
The opening sequence should clearly distinguish the genre of the film by
using the conventions which are associated with that genre. For example;
in a horror, a key convention represented to the audience is a large
amount of contrapuntal non-diegetic music, low key and unsaturated
lighting to connote the feeling of a darken presence building tension.
They can also contain props or characters, which can establish the genre
of the film, they contain an character/prop of even events with signifies to
a specific genre. For example; in a comedy, characters or events have an
element of satire comedy (something in which will make their target
audience laugh). However in a thriller, characters deaths, or iconography
of the props used. For example; in the opening scene for Se7en, props are
used in a point of view shot, to connote the crime/thriller genre.

Non-diegetic and diegetic soundtracks (e.g.

parallel/contrapuntal)
Soundtrack is a highly used convention throughout all genres
opening sequences, as it sets an atmospheric mood. Mainly the use
of non-diegetic as it set the scene and conveys the genre atmosphere
for the rest of the movie. For example; a horror would use an
asynchronous non-diegetic soundtrack to signify the uneasiness of
the events occurring or foreshadowing disequilibrium. Whereas, an
rom-com would use synchronous soundtrack to connote the calmness
to keep the audience relaxed.
Soundtrack can also be used to set up audiences expectations of the
film; specially if the film belongs to a well-known franchise, where the
ironic theme tune is played in each opening sequence of each film.

Enigma

In theatre/film work enigma means to create a sense of mystery

for the audience or viewers to solve. Its used at the start of the
opening sequence to help create suspense and questions to
attract or tempt by offering pleasure to the target audience.
Enigma, keeps the film interesting and new questions forming, in
the minds of the audience. Therefore psychologically the
audience are want to finish the film. By using this code from the
very beginning keeps the audience, hooked from the start.
An good example of the use of enigma in the beginning of the film
is in Woman in black when the three little girls are talking off
screen to someone or even when they jump out the window- to
their death together. This leaves the audience in shock, and
creates enigma from questions such as, Who were they talking
to? and, Why did they jump?.

Narrative (introduction to narrative)

In the opening sequence of each film production the idea is to give
the narrative, however to keep it limited in order to keep enigma,
causing the target audience keep intrigued to watch the production.
In some films the narration or text isnt shown this is to make it
challenging to the audience, creating a sense mystery in the opening
scenes. In some productions there is a use of non-diegetic voice
overs on in the background, this gives the audience a better
understanding of the narrative and also can introduce the characters.
An perfect example where this is represented is in the opening scene
for the thriller, American Psycho where the lead character
(protagonist) is giving a description of his morning routine, where the
shots are parallel to the voice over.