CODES AND CONVENTIONS
OF AN OPENING SEQUENCE
What is a film's
opening sequence?
A title sequence (also called an opening sequence or intro) is the method by which films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.The purpose of an opening sequence is for it to establish the mood and visual character of a film. It is also used to introduce the viewer to all or some of the following elements, which are; Characters, locations, Narrative, Plot, Themes and Visual style. When a film grabs your attention from the opening frame it knocks you out of your seat or even grinds you into it, you tend to remember it fondly, even if the rest of it fails to measure up.
what is a code?
A code is a set of rules about how people should behave or about how something must be done.
What is a convention?
A convention is a set of agreed, stipulated, or generally accepted standards, norms, social norms, or criteria, often taking the form of a custom.
What are the basic codes and conventions of a film opening sequence?
08 Compilation of photographs (conventions)
01 Flashbacks (convention)
02 Establishing shot (code)
09 Color tone (code)
03 Narration (convention)
10 Soundtrack (code)
04 Action scene (convention)
11 Enigma (convention)
05 Production house’s logo (code)
12 Narrative content such as where, when, what (code)
06 Title Sequence ( code)
07 Animation (convention)
Flashbacks
(convention)
A flashback is a scene in a film, novel, etc. set in a time earlier than the main story. flashbacks depict the subjective experience of a character by showing a memory of a previous event and they are often used to "resolve an enigma".Flashbacks are often used for comedic effect, to prove or contradict something in the present.
Forrest Gump and the Godfather series is an example of a movie using flashbacks.
Establishing Shot
(code)
An establishing shot is a shot which is generally a long or extreme-long shot at the beginning of a scene indicating where, and sometimes when, the remainder of the scene takes place.
For example, the movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ begins with an establishing shot of the skyline of New York. The audience can quickly understand that it is where the movie might be taking place.
Narration
(convention)
The narration is information for the audience to know what is going on in the film. To add a confusing element to the movie, most directors prefer not to add narration or text to the opening sequence, thereby creating mystery.
Some films such as Lemony Snicket’s A series of unfortunate events, may have a non-diegetic voiceover in the background which helps to audience with better understanding of the film.
Action scenes
(convention)
Some movies such as Mission Impossible, Lethal Weapon, Fast and furious, start with an action scene. This helps to create hype in the audience.
Production house's logos
In the intro of the movie, most films will show the logos of the companies and/or people producing and distributing the films. Five large companies, 20th Century Fox, RKO Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer came to be known as the "Big Five”.
(code)
These logos are expected by the audience and in many ways help to set expectations for a film; for example if a Warner Bros. Pictures logo is shown, as such in the movie Wonder Woman 2017 starring Gal Gadot, the audience is likely to expect a big budget blockbuster movie.
Title sequence
(code)
A title sequence is the method by which a films credits production and cast members utilising visuals and sound. The opening credits of motion pictures list the most important members of the production and they are either superimposed on a blank screen or over the action. There may or may not be accompanying music. The aim of an opening sequence may be to establish character, setting, genre, mood or atmosphere.
A title sequence is important for films where a certain director frequently casts a particular actor as their leading role.Burton and his most prolific collaborator, Johnny Depp, have made eight quirky and dark films together.
Animation
(convention)
Animation is a method in which pictures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most animations are made with computer-generated imagery.
A lot of movies have used animation in their opening sequences, for example the Indian movie HUM TUM and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Compilation of photographs
(convention)
Blue Valentine which is a romantic film, shows photographs to portray to the audience the theme and the relationship between the couple.
Enigma
Enigma codes are used during the opening sequence of films to help create questions and tension right from the very start to entice the audience. Enigma keeps the audience interested in the film and wanting to find out the answers to their questions going on their heads. It is a key factor in keeping the audience hooked from the start.
(convention)
The Dark Knight opens up with several fast pace cut of people in clown mask costumes in the process of robbing a bank with the protagonist which therefore creates enigma for the audience.
Soundtrack
(code)
Some films use theme music, as this sets the overall feel of the film. It can also be used to set up audience expectations, particularly if the film belongs to a well known franchise such as Mission Impossible or Harry Potter, where the iconic theme tune is played in the openings of each film.
Skyfall is a movie that starts with a song sung by Adele also named the same as the movie.
Color tone
(code)
A well designed movie color palette evokes mood and sets the tone for the film. The three main components of a color are hue, saturation, and value. Value – The darkness or lightness of a color. Color in film can build harmony or tension within a scene. Bring attention to a key theme. The movie The Good, The Bad and The Ugly uses vibrant colors.
codes and conventions
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Transcript
CODES AND CONVENTIONS
OF AN OPENING SEQUENCE
What is a film's
opening sequence?
A title sequence (also called an opening sequence or intro) is the method by which films or television programs present their title, key production and cast members, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound.The purpose of an opening sequence is for it to establish the mood and visual character of a film. It is also used to introduce the viewer to all or some of the following elements, which are; Characters, locations, Narrative, Plot, Themes and Visual style. When a film grabs your attention from the opening frame it knocks you out of your seat or even grinds you into it, you tend to remember it fondly, even if the rest of it fails to measure up.
what is a code?
A code is a set of rules about how people should behave or about how something must be done.
What is a convention?
A convention is a set of agreed, stipulated, or generally accepted standards, norms, social norms, or criteria, often taking the form of a custom.
What are the basic codes and conventions of a film opening sequence?
08 Compilation of photographs (conventions)
01 Flashbacks (convention)
02 Establishing shot (code)
09 Color tone (code)
03 Narration (convention)
10 Soundtrack (code)
04 Action scene (convention)
11 Enigma (convention)
05 Production house’s logo (code)
12 Narrative content such as where, when, what (code)
06 Title Sequence ( code)
07 Animation (convention)
Flashbacks
(convention)
A flashback is a scene in a film, novel, etc. set in a time earlier than the main story. flashbacks depict the subjective experience of a character by showing a memory of a previous event and they are often used to "resolve an enigma".Flashbacks are often used for comedic effect, to prove or contradict something in the present.
Forrest Gump and the Godfather series is an example of a movie using flashbacks.
Establishing Shot
(code)
An establishing shot is a shot which is generally a long or extreme-long shot at the beginning of a scene indicating where, and sometimes when, the remainder of the scene takes place.
For example, the movie ‘The Devil Wears Prada’ begins with an establishing shot of the skyline of New York. The audience can quickly understand that it is where the movie might be taking place.
Narration
(convention)
The narration is information for the audience to know what is going on in the film. To add a confusing element to the movie, most directors prefer not to add narration or text to the opening sequence, thereby creating mystery.
Some films such as Lemony Snicket’s A series of unfortunate events, may have a non-diegetic voiceover in the background which helps to audience with better understanding of the film.
Action scenes
(convention)
Some movies such as Mission Impossible, Lethal Weapon, Fast and furious, start with an action scene. This helps to create hype in the audience.
Production house's logos
In the intro of the movie, most films will show the logos of the companies and/or people producing and distributing the films. Five large companies, 20th Century Fox, RKO Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer came to be known as the "Big Five”.
(code)
These logos are expected by the audience and in many ways help to set expectations for a film; for example if a Warner Bros. Pictures logo is shown, as such in the movie Wonder Woman 2017 starring Gal Gadot, the audience is likely to expect a big budget blockbuster movie.
Title sequence
(code)
A title sequence is the method by which a films credits production and cast members utilising visuals and sound. The opening credits of motion pictures list the most important members of the production and they are either superimposed on a blank screen or over the action. There may or may not be accompanying music. The aim of an opening sequence may be to establish character, setting, genre, mood or atmosphere.
A title sequence is important for films where a certain director frequently casts a particular actor as their leading role.Burton and his most prolific collaborator, Johnny Depp, have made eight quirky and dark films together.
Animation
(convention)
Animation is a method in which pictures are manipulated to appear as moving images. In traditional animation, images are drawn or painted by hand on transparent celluloid sheets to be photographed and exhibited on film. Today, most animations are made with computer-generated imagery.
A lot of movies have used animation in their opening sequences, for example the Indian movie HUM TUM and the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.
Compilation of photographs
(convention)
Blue Valentine which is a romantic film, shows photographs to portray to the audience the theme and the relationship between the couple.
Enigma
Enigma codes are used during the opening sequence of films to help create questions and tension right from the very start to entice the audience. Enigma keeps the audience interested in the film and wanting to find out the answers to their questions going on their heads. It is a key factor in keeping the audience hooked from the start.
(convention)
The Dark Knight opens up with several fast pace cut of people in clown mask costumes in the process of robbing a bank with the protagonist which therefore creates enigma for the audience.
Soundtrack
(code)
Some films use theme music, as this sets the overall feel of the film. It can also be used to set up audience expectations, particularly if the film belongs to a well known franchise such as Mission Impossible or Harry Potter, where the iconic theme tune is played in the openings of each film.
Skyfall is a movie that starts with a song sung by Adele also named the same as the movie.
Color tone
(code)
A well designed movie color palette evokes mood and sets the tone for the film. The three main components of a color are hue, saturation, and value. Value – The darkness or lightness of a color. Color in film can build harmony or tension within a scene. Bring attention to a key theme. The movie The Good, The Bad and The Ugly uses vibrant colors.