Film Openings Research- Types of Openings

The main task is a film opening sequence, so I have done some research looking at the main types of film opening sequences.
The objective of an opening sequence in a film is to introduce the characters or plot. The main four ways in which this is done is through

• Flashback,

• Panning of Landscape,

• Narration, 

• Chase/Fight scene.  

The last one is typical in the action and adventure genre as this goes straight into the action which normally is what the main character would be doing for the majority of the rest of the film, an example of this would be Blitz (2011, dir. Elliot Lester), where we are immediately introduced to Statham's character and this aspect of his personality.

 The crashes and dog barking show we hear in the first few seconds of the clip show that the area in which this scene is set, isn't a particularly good area.
the high angle shot looking down onto the criminals from Statham's character PoV may be interpreted that he considers himself higher up in society than the criminals.
The handheld camera emphasises the action and fighting ability by moving as Statham strikes, like when Statham hits the first criminal for the second time, the camera quickly looks down then back at Statham, this could also be imitating the other criminals PoV. This also happens with the other two criminals as they are hit. The LS at 1:42 emphasises Statham's fighting ability more, as all three criminals are on the floor, yet he is standing. Also, with the same effect, Stathams stature throughout the scene, how he defeats the criminals with such apparent ease.

Flashback can be when either the narrative goes back in time for just the opening scene or, the opening scene starts in the future and goes back in time for the rest of the film. An example would be Saving Private Ryan (1998, dir. Steven Spielberg), where it starts as a war veterinarian visits a war cemetery in the opening scene, but the rest of the film takes place in 1944.

 The mise-en-scene in this opening allows us to see it's 'flashing forward' to the present day. The veteran's family has a modern camera, and the clothes that are worn in this sequence are typical of modern day, rather than 1944, where the rest of the film is set. Also, a gentleman visiting a military cemetery, and getting particularly emotional about it, as he does, we assume he fought, or was alive during one of the World Wars, and  his age also supports this assumption the audience gets.

An example of narration is Hot Fuzz (2007, dir. Edgar Wright), where Simon Pegg narrates his characters previous achievements prior to the film. Narration is a good way of quickly introducing characters and the situation in which the story starts, In Hot Fuzz, Simon Pegg narrates for a little over a minute and we have a overview of his character Nicholas Angel's personality and his job. To watch the opening of Hot Fuzz, click here.

Panning of landscape is just an Establishing shot of the film, so this would usually happen if the film is set in the same setting for most of the film, Examples would be westerns, or period dramas because they stay in the same setting for the film and the setting is an important part of the film, the only way to show where these settings are are to do an Establishing shot, showing the mise-en-scene. One exception to this is the film Beetlejuice (1988, dir. Tim Burton), where the opening is high angle helicopter over typical suburban America, whilst the opening credit are shown, but after two minutes of this, it is revealed to be and miniature model village. This is an exception because although Beetlejuice is set predominately in the house, the panning ES that is shown in the opening sequence, is different to that of which the film is set. To view the Beetlejuice opening sequence on YouTube.com click here

The opening sequence of a film also reflects the genre of which the film is, even if that genre is portrayed through different mise-en-scene. So if it's a comedy film, there will often be some funny things in the opening sequence, or if it's action, there would probably be a fight or similar action. These things are not necessarily related to the upcoming plot.
The animated film Coraline (2009, dir. Henry Selick), reflects the genre of the film, the opening shot is similar to theatre curtains with the credits stitched onto them it then goes to a sequence of a doll flying as if summoned through an open window where it is un-stitched and made up again with a different persona. This is done eerily as the things un-stitching the doll are metal hands, with long spindly fingers. Most of this sequence is done in close ups so we can't see much about the environment this takes place in, except its dusty and looks similar to a tailors or seamstress workshop with the appropriate mise en scene. All this links to the film as the film has an eerily, slightly magical theme to it, which is reflected in the opening sequence by the way the doll is flying as if possessed and the mysterious metal hands being alive and working. Click here to watch


Bibliography for this post:
http://www.slideshare.net/elfhero/film-opening-codes-and-conventions
updated March 2011
visited 1st November 2011