A list of generic opening scene conventions
A films opening scene serves many purposes, however, the key objective of an opening scene is to win over the viewer and entice them to carry on watching, this can be achieved by using a cliff-hanger or a mystery. Opening scenes usually establish character, genre, and location. The director achieves this using various different methods.
1. Landscape planning
This establishes the location of the scene for the audience, allowing them to gain a further understanding of the setting of the movie/scene. This can also indicate things regarding the movie's plot - for example, 'The Shinning' opens with extreme long shots of the remote landscape, revealing the character's isolation.
2. Flashback
A flashback is a glimpse, crucial to the plot's narrative, however rather than being shown in chronological order, displays a scene from the past usually explaining key information to the audience. For example 'Up', an animated Pixar children's film, opens telling the story of a lonely old man and the sequence of events that led up to the present day.
3. Narration
This is regarded as a simple method of giving background information over to the audience, usually given by a key character who is later revealed. Whilst giving an insight into the movie's plot, it also allows the audience to initially gain a level of intimacy with the person speaking.
4. Action Scene
An action scene can be executed in several ways, attempting to grab the viewer's attention. A common opening scene involving action would be a car chase, a heist or a gruesome murder. This creates a sense of mystery, since viewers anticipate what happens next.
1. Landscape planning
This establishes the location of the scene for the audience, allowing them to gain a further understanding of the setting of the movie/scene. This can also indicate things regarding the movie's plot - for example, 'The Shinning' opens with extreme long shots of the remote landscape, revealing the character's isolation.
2. Flashback
A flashback is a glimpse, crucial to the plot's narrative, however rather than being shown in chronological order, displays a scene from the past usually explaining key information to the audience. For example 'Up', an animated Pixar children's film, opens telling the story of a lonely old man and the sequence of events that led up to the present day.
3. Narration
This is regarded as a simple method of giving background information over to the audience, usually given by a key character who is later revealed. Whilst giving an insight into the movie's plot, it also allows the audience to initially gain a level of intimacy with the person speaking.
4. Action Scene
An action scene can be executed in several ways, attempting to grab the viewer's attention. A common opening scene involving action would be a car chase, a heist or a gruesome murder. This creates a sense of mystery, since viewers anticipate what happens next.
Usually the opening scene of a film will also include production company logos at the beginning before the movie itself starts (sometimes with audio already playing). It is also common to find titles either presented over the top of the images or on black title cards in between shots. these titles almost always include the name of the film and significant personnel such as the main actors and the director. Sometimes other significant members of the crew also appear.
Comments
Post a Comment