Research - Film Openings

                                                Opening scenes in films

In my production, I have to make a two minute film opening and so I researched up on different genres and how they have started their opening scenes. I also have to look up on the films which match my target audience as then I will be able to get knowledge on what my audience will feel attracted to and be able to use these ideas in my film opening. The opening of a film is important as it usually introduces the characters in and sometimes the story as well.

Many films use the opening as a suspense plot scene so that audience will feel intrigued and want to watch more. This has been used mostly in horror films as it builds suspense right from the start. Many directors use the film opening to fiddle around with the opening titles as some like to play them across the opening scene with the film title being at the start. Some films have the opening scene and then the film title popping up when that particular scene has finished and then carry on with the rest of the titles.

I looked at many different films which are from three main genres. This is so that I can have good knowledge on how each genre presents their film openings to their audience. This will also help me choose a genre for my production.

Here are two of the films that I looked at.


Scary Movie (2000) - Directed by Keenen Ivory Wayans
　

• Black screen with the words ‘Dimension Films’ fading in showing to the audience that its intense and then fades out slowly. Non-diegetic sounds in the background.
• Introduces the location of where the story is taking place and then introduces the character. Character is a typical blond girl suggesting that she’s going to do something dumb.
• Female character puts popcorn on the gas and the phone rings setting a relaxing mood.
• For about 30secs it’s one whole shot where she moves around and talks on the phone still suggesting a relaxed and calm atmosphere.
• Popcorn is getting bigger suggesting that something big is going to happen.
• As well as the build up of the suspense, the characters are shown in funny ways so that the comedy is still there.
• Music starts to build up and then right when the comedy happens it switches.
• Comedy is kept constant alongside the make believe ‘horror’ in the film in parts such as when she beats up the children and then chooses a banana as a weapon.
• Her blond side is shown alongside this when she chooses the dumb solutions so keeping the blond stereotype going.
• Its night which shows the scary effect but because it’s a comedy there are lights on in the background.
• She then gets stabbed but even that its gruesome but it still shows the humorous side when it shows her fake breast on the knife.
• This carries on as she is bleeding but then she gets run over by her dad who doesn’t notice.
• The last 10secs are not funny but has the scary effect where the killer slashes the knife across her but not showing any blood signifying that its not a scary film.
• The name of the film comes up in front of a black screen in a white colour.

My Bloody Valentine (2009) - Directed by Patrick Lussier

• Introduces with some dark music and the word ‘Lionsgate’ in a dark red background showing blood which suggests it’s a scary film.
• Newspaper headline in large font shows up on the screen that says ‘Burned Alive’ putting the tension right in front of the audience
• Hard music which is creepy but gives an impression that something’s happened.
• Narrator that sounds like a news reporter talking about the headlines showing up on the screen.
• Newspapers coming up after one another telling the audience that its breaking news and what has happened is serious.
• Male actor is introduced by showing his picture showing that he’s the reason behind the bigh news.
• Bloody helmet is shown and mines suggesting that this is where the big thing happened.
• Another male character is talked about and is shown with an axe in his hand showing to the audience that he’s going to do something or has done something.
• All the newspaper headlines are in black and white showing that the incident has already taken place.
• Big headline says ‘Murder’ in a big large font showing to the audience that the news is murder. Then a axe goes through it showing gruesome effect.
• Another character is shown suggesting another main actor in the film possibly or who is significant in the film.
• Last headline say ‘one year later’ which is wear it fades out to a hospital telling us how long its been and where the film is going to start.
• Dramatic music comes suggesting that something big is going to happen.
• Production name comes up in a red colour emphasising on the murder and blood.
• Opening titles slowly fade in, in the colour red as its going to be a horror film.
• Character lying in bed dreams of a flashback going back to before the big incident which tells the audience on what happen.
• Man puts mask suggesting that he may survive.
• Fire comes toward him right to his face and then out of the flashback, he opens his eyes.
• Eyes are red showing that he’s angry and that he may be bad.
• Different atmosphere is introduced when a nurse walks in but its silent in the background showing that something is going to happen. She gets worried and scared. Suspense music in the background.
• Male character is shown sitting down by a man who’s arm is flopping down beside the bed showing to the audience that he’s lifeless and because he’s sitting beside him that he’s the one who killed him.
• Man gets up and walks towards the nurse.
• The film title pops up in bloody red suggesting a big massacre. Woman screaming give dark effect that she is dying.