An Opening Sequence
An opening sequence entails the conceptual visuals and sound of the film. The opening usually includes the text of the opening credits and helps establish the setting and tone of the film. It may consist of live action, animation, music, still images, and/or graphics. The purpose of a film opening is to entice the audience into carry on watching the film. The film opening should establish the characters and genre.
The Shining
The opening scene of The Shining shows a car driving down a long, curvy road in a large, isolated environment.
High angle shot is the particular cinematography technique used in the opening scene; it makes the characters look as though they are being watched, which gives the feeling of isolation and being trapped, showing there is danger ahead allowing the audience to look more intensely into the type of genre and story it follows.
The editing includes a title sequence in the opening sequence, the members who were involved in the film are shown at the beginning scrolling up the screen, the way it scrolls up the screen builds up the tension because it is shown at the same time as a car is being shown on the screen driving down a long, winding road- this suggests to the audience that it is going to lead up to something bad, conveying the genre as well.
The sound is an unnerving, deep pitched sound track, it is slow and because of this it builds the tension even more because it builds a false sense of security for the audience and gives a mysterious atmosphere.
In Mise-en-scene, one of the props used in the first opening sequence is a car, the car is small and quite feminine, this foreshadows the vulnerability of the characters, and sends a message across saying that something bad is going to happen to the most vulnerable characters; who may not be able to defend for themselves, this giving the audience a feeling of uncomfortable tense moments in the opening scene, which can set up the whole movie for the audience, intriguing them.
High angle shot is the particular cinematography technique used in the opening scene; it makes the characters look as though they are being watched, which gives the feeling of isolation and being trapped, showing there is danger ahead allowing the audience to look more intensely into the type of genre and story it follows.
The editing includes a title sequence in the opening sequence, the members who were involved in the film are shown at the beginning scrolling up the screen, the way it scrolls up the screen builds up the tension because it is shown at the same time as a car is being shown on the screen driving down a long, winding road- this suggests to the audience that it is going to lead up to something bad, conveying the genre as well.
The sound is an unnerving, deep pitched sound track, it is slow and because of this it builds the tension even more because it builds a false sense of security for the audience and gives a mysterious atmosphere.
In Mise-en-scene, one of the props used in the first opening sequence is a car, the car is small and quite feminine, this foreshadows the vulnerability of the characters, and sends a message across saying that something bad is going to happen to the most vulnerable characters; who may not be able to defend for themselves, this giving the audience a feeling of uncomfortable tense moments in the opening scene, which can set up the whole movie for the audience, intriguing them.
The Thing
The opening scene of The Thing shows a shot of a type of alien space craft flying into the earth's atmosphere, it then shows an isolated landscape covered in snow with men in a helicopter flying after a dog.
There is editing used in the opening sequence of The Thing. There is an extremely long title sequence, which shows members who were involved in the film in white over a black screen; although this is very plain and simple this is what builds the tension as nothing about the film is being revealed and builds the mystery. This is unnerving for the audience as they have no idea what is to come, it also suggests that in this thriller there will be thinking involved for the audience (i.e. mystery to who is the perpetrator). The way the title is shown at the beginning is clever as it almost looks like it is ripping through the screen/sky, just as the space craft is ripping through the earth's atmosphere and foreshadows the perpetrators (monsters) ripping through things later in the film i.e. humans...
There is also techniques of cinematography used throughout the opening sequence, there are many long shots, always focusing on one thing within the isolated environment; this gives the feeling of being trapped. One long shot is of the helicopter flying towards the camera extremely quickly, this is very intimidating and still links back to the feeling of being trapped because the helicopter is shot as though you can't escape because of the speed and static of the camera. There is a tracking shot of the dog, and this is a good camera technique to use for the opening sequence because the men in the helicopter seem to have the power as they are higher up than the dog; showing their status, but don't realise they're flying into their unfortunate doom.
Sound is used also and at the beginning of the scene there is only non-diegetic sound that matches with the actions on screen (parallel sound), when the title comes on the screen, and it is tearing through to appear there is lightning sound happening at the same time; this conveys the genre and the story of the film already as lightning is seen as a deadly and unpleasant thing; this also relating to people's fears. As the opening scene continues there is a soundtrack used, which is a slow, deep drum sound, the slowness of it is what builds up the tension because the rhythm stays the same and it is more grabbing for the audience as they're are waiting for the change, while waiting with a continuing pattern making them uncomfortably tense.
For Mise-en-scene, a dog is used, the dog in the film, almost comes across as though he has a facial expression because he turns around constantly looking at the helicopter leading them to the institute- the fact the dog is seen like a human in some way and is leading them to their unfortunate fate is creepy for the audience and is a psychological thriller because dogs are seen as 'man's best friend', but in this case is suggesting the opposite, (a false sense of security).
There is editing used in the opening sequence of The Thing. There is an extremely long title sequence, which shows members who were involved in the film in white over a black screen; although this is very plain and simple this is what builds the tension as nothing about the film is being revealed and builds the mystery. This is unnerving for the audience as they have no idea what is to come, it also suggests that in this thriller there will be thinking involved for the audience (i.e. mystery to who is the perpetrator). The way the title is shown at the beginning is clever as it almost looks like it is ripping through the screen/sky, just as the space craft is ripping through the earth's atmosphere and foreshadows the perpetrators (monsters) ripping through things later in the film i.e. humans...
There is also techniques of cinematography used throughout the opening sequence, there are many long shots, always focusing on one thing within the isolated environment; this gives the feeling of being trapped. One long shot is of the helicopter flying towards the camera extremely quickly, this is very intimidating and still links back to the feeling of being trapped because the helicopter is shot as though you can't escape because of the speed and static of the camera. There is a tracking shot of the dog, and this is a good camera technique to use for the opening sequence because the men in the helicopter seem to have the power as they are higher up than the dog; showing their status, but don't realise they're flying into their unfortunate doom.
Sound is used also and at the beginning of the scene there is only non-diegetic sound that matches with the actions on screen (parallel sound), when the title comes on the screen, and it is tearing through to appear there is lightning sound happening at the same time; this conveys the genre and the story of the film already as lightning is seen as a deadly and unpleasant thing; this also relating to people's fears. As the opening scene continues there is a soundtrack used, which is a slow, deep drum sound, the slowness of it is what builds up the tension because the rhythm stays the same and it is more grabbing for the audience as they're are waiting for the change, while waiting with a continuing pattern making them uncomfortably tense.
For Mise-en-scene, a dog is used, the dog in the film, almost comes across as though he has a facial expression because he turns around constantly looking at the helicopter leading them to the institute- the fact the dog is seen like a human in some way and is leading them to their unfortunate fate is creepy for the audience and is a psychological thriller because dogs are seen as 'man's best friend', but in this case is suggesting the opposite, (a false sense of security).
The Others
The opening scene of The Others shows an illustration of the setting and characters, in dim lighting, it then transitions to a long shot of a big, isolated, country house.
There is a lot of illustration used at the beginning of the characters and setting, this is used to convey the debatable views on ghosts because through drawn images it is suggesting that ghost are not real just like the illustrations are just drawings and are not actual real life footage. However, there is a long shot at the end of the sequence of a big, country house which is a real life shot rather than an illustration, this portrays the other view on ghosts and that they are real; this representing the mystery and fear of what the characters think they are seeing (are they going crazy or can they see ghosts?).
There is non-diegetic sound of the mother talking calmly to her children about her religious views over a soundtrack of soft music- overall this sound is contrapuntal sound as it doesn't match what is on screen as at the same time the illustration of the two children looking terrified in dark lighting is shown. This is a false sense of security and the old fashion theme is shown through the very religious dialogue and music this gives a ghostly and odd atmosphere.
There is editing used which is fade to white; it goes from a black screen to slowly lighter from the bottom, middle of the screen as though the light was coming on. This is clever as it is as though they are symbolising a ghost appearing ('going into the light'- dying and becoming a ghost). The title sequence continues over the illustration, the writing slowly appearing and disappearing off and on the screen, this fits the speed of the illustrations coming off and on the screen as well ; building tension up because the audience are made to wait, knowing from signifiers what the genre is, expecting horror/thriller.
One technique of Mise-en-scene used is facial expressions on the illustrated children, they start of with happy expressions and then turn into fearful ones, this shows there will be disruption in their life which will create vulnerability for the characters.
There is a lot of illustration used at the beginning of the characters and setting, this is used to convey the debatable views on ghosts because through drawn images it is suggesting that ghost are not real just like the illustrations are just drawings and are not actual real life footage. However, there is a long shot at the end of the sequence of a big, country house which is a real life shot rather than an illustration, this portrays the other view on ghosts and that they are real; this representing the mystery and fear of what the characters think they are seeing (are they going crazy or can they see ghosts?).
There is non-diegetic sound of the mother talking calmly to her children about her religious views over a soundtrack of soft music- overall this sound is contrapuntal sound as it doesn't match what is on screen as at the same time the illustration of the two children looking terrified in dark lighting is shown. This is a false sense of security and the old fashion theme is shown through the very religious dialogue and music this gives a ghostly and odd atmosphere.
There is editing used which is fade to white; it goes from a black screen to slowly lighter from the bottom, middle of the screen as though the light was coming on. This is clever as it is as though they are symbolising a ghost appearing ('going into the light'- dying and becoming a ghost). The title sequence continues over the illustration, the writing slowly appearing and disappearing off and on the screen, this fits the speed of the illustrations coming off and on the screen as well ; building tension up because the audience are made to wait, knowing from signifiers what the genre is, expecting horror/thriller.
One technique of Mise-en-scene used is facial expressions on the illustrated children, they start of with happy expressions and then turn into fearful ones, this shows there will be disruption in their life which will create vulnerability for the characters.
Psycho
The opening sequence of Psycho is a shot of a large and busy city, with a couple in their apartment.
One Cinematography technique used was a long shot of a busy city, the fact that it isn't isolated foreshadows that the main woman will suffer from her lack of experience in an isolated location which may cause her danger.
Editing used included lines crossing the screen revealing the names of the film members involved, it also includes making the title 'Psycho' being cut and put out of place, this highlights the distortion of the story and that something bad is going to happen.
Sound used was non-diegetic sound (soundtrack), the music starts of very fast and the beat/rhythm going up and down creating an uneasy feeling for the audience, it gives the imagery of someone rushing, this creating an anxious feeling. The sound then suddenly gets slower and slightly higher, however keeps the rhythm going up and down and changing this creating a false sense of security, because the sound of the track doesn't keep to one pitch, this could be highlighting the character's mental health disorder later on in the film (he flips from one personality to the other).
Mise-en-scene is used; costume; the main woman is wearing white underwear, this shows her innocence, this is ironic however because she is with a man/partner who is undressed as well, this suggesting her unfortunate doom later on in the film will be to do with her sexuality.
One Cinematography technique used was a long shot of a busy city, the fact that it isn't isolated foreshadows that the main woman will suffer from her lack of experience in an isolated location which may cause her danger.
Editing used included lines crossing the screen revealing the names of the film members involved, it also includes making the title 'Psycho' being cut and put out of place, this highlights the distortion of the story and that something bad is going to happen.
Sound used was non-diegetic sound (soundtrack), the music starts of very fast and the beat/rhythm going up and down creating an uneasy feeling for the audience, it gives the imagery of someone rushing, this creating an anxious feeling. The sound then suddenly gets slower and slightly higher, however keeps the rhythm going up and down and changing this creating a false sense of security, because the sound of the track doesn't keep to one pitch, this could be highlighting the character's mental health disorder later on in the film (he flips from one personality to the other).
Mise-en-scene is used; costume; the main woman is wearing white underwear, this shows her innocence, this is ironic however because she is with a man/partner who is undressed as well, this suggesting her unfortunate doom later on in the film will be to do with her sexuality.
Functions of an Opening Sequence
- Title sequences foreshadow genres of the film without ruining the whole plot. Title sequences don't summarise the plot of the film or give away a perpetrator’s identity that is supposed to be revealed later on.
- A title sequence can be used so that it adds additional meaning, or foreshadow parts of the plot by giving away clues.
- Title sequences offer the audience details whose significance will be revealed by the end of the movie or after a second viewing. These show the cast and production team for the film, the title sequence can be a way of building suspense and show the genre of the film.