Techniques and Conventions of Opening Sequences

Techniques and Conventions of Opening Sequences

All opening sequences should have titles incorporated into the beginning of the film some way or another, this is because they introduce the actors, directors, producers, etc. They also tell the audience more about what they should be expecting as they can set an atmosphere. Typography can have connotations that conform to the conventions of the thriller genre, for example, black and white colours are significant because they can represent good vs. evil. There is an example of this from the opening titles of the psychological thriller “Se7en”. 

A further example that could be incorporated into an opening sequence is flashbacks. This gives the audience some context on what has happened in the past with characters and story lines and so therefore sets up the film and promotes the plot. The opening scene of “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” uses this technique. The audience feel welcomed into the film because they are discovering more about the characters and they feel that they know Indiana Jones a little bit better. The opening sequence of Indiana Jones also includes intertexual references. These are pieces of information dropped into the scene that the audience will only understand if they have some prior knowledge. This again means that audience feel involved and have some part to play within the film. These techniques intensifies the viewer’s experience when watching the film because they are engaged and so therefore tension and suspense is easily heightened.

Narrative structure and techniques are also a big part of opening sequences. Narration can be used over the top of a film or it could be speech from the actual film. This is a useful way to inform the audience about the characters and can also give a picture of what the film is about as it sets the scene. The film “American Beauty” takes advantage of this technique. Restricted narrative also has the same effect of setting the scene but, not enough. It’s when the audience haven’t been open to as much information and so the story line and plot is unclear. Non-linear narrative is also another aspect. This again can limit how much information the audience knows from the very beginning. The audience feel unsettled because they do not know what is going to happen and they have high expectations and so apprehension is increased and it can create an eerie atmosphere. The film “London to Brighton” incorporates this as so there are enigmas throughout the whole film and so the audience are constantly anxious.