1. Discover
Explain
Typically, an opening sequence will
contain:
•
Details of cast and crew.
•
The film's title.
•
An introduction to character or
character type.
•
Indication of place.
•
Indication of historical period.
•
Information regarding mood and
tone.
Date
Term ?, Lesson ?
1

2. Discover
Explain
• Typically, an opening sequence
will contain:
• Introduction to signature theme
tune.
• Information about genre.
• Questions that the viewer finds
intriguing (sets up enigmas)
• Patterns and types of editing that
will be echoed in the remainder
of the film.
• Mise en scene and
cinematography that will be
echoed or elaborated upon later
Date in the film.
Term ?, Lesson ?
2

3. Develop
9 Key Frames
• The quickest way to analyse a sequence is to build a
9 Frame Analysis
• By selecting and looking at 9 frames in detail, you can
see HOW the opening sequence establishes the key
elements
• Have a look at this student example – what level
would you give it and why?
Date
Term ?, Lesson ?
3

4. 9 Frame Analysis
By Lianne Woolley

5. This logo is for the New
Line Cinema
institution. It looks
dark and „mirky‟
suggesting that the
film is going to be dark
and „mirky‟ too.
Frame 1
The background is
Black suggesting that
the film is going to be
jumpy.
It is shown at the start
of the film to create
tension before the
film starts.
The purple glow around the edge draws the audience‟s
eye towards it and creates a sense of supernatural.

6. This frame is shown
before the film starts, it
slowly tracks across the
screen. This helps to
build up tension before
the film starts.
Frame 2
The dark
background is
black and red
suggesting blood
and disaster.
The sign says “Do you believe in fortunes”. This relates to the film because it all started at
a theme park and the whole film is based around fortunes-life and death.

7. This next frame is where
the film starts. The shot is
at a low angled shot of
the ride going up and
down. It also looks like it
is a point of view shot
through someone‟s eyes.
This angle looks like it is
going to land on the
audience creating tension
.
Frame 3
The black sky contrasts with the red ride. The red
stands out and suggests blood and death within the
film.

8. This high angled shot shows
that this character (the first
one to be shown) is going to be
the main character in the film.
Her red coat suggests
something is going to go
wrong because it stands
out in the darkness. The
red suggests blood.
Frame 4
The camera is
shown as a symbol
in this frame
because it links into
the film later on.

9. This frame, is a the
group of
friends/couples. It is in
a busy place suggesting
that there is going to
be a lot of deaths with
in the film which is
true.
Frame 5
This shot follows the characters as they are walking along gives
the effect that you are actually there.
They all look like there
having fun, just like
normal teenagers which
helps the audience
connects to the
characters because they
can relate to them
because they are just
like them.

10. This frame is a close up of
the camera that the girl had
being taking pictures of. The
close up shows that the
camera is going to be
important within the film
and is going to play a big
part.
Frame 6
This shot slowly zooms in to the camera as the 2 characters are
still talking, showing the importance of the camera.
The background in this
frame is quite light and
not dark which is not
normally used in a
horror film. It could
suggest that the camera
is going to be useful in
the film helping the
characters in some way.

11. This is frame shows
different stalls at the
theme park. This frame
shows some clowns
which is a typical
convention in a horror
film. This is because a lot
of people have a fear
over clowns suggesting
that the characters are
going to be come
paranoid.
Frame 7
The background again is
not dark which contrasts
with the clowns because
they look scary and
intimidating.
This shot is a close up of the clowns as the camera slowly
moves onto the next shot giving it effect because it shows
how many there are.

12. These look like 2
vulnerable blond girls
that are more than
likely to be killed
within the film at
some point due to
their characteristics.
Frame 8
This frame is where
the girl is taking a
picture again, this
brings the audience to
the camera again
showing that the
pictures on the
camera are going to
be important.
This shot is where the girl is taking a picture of the two girls meaning that the
camera is still like the audience is taking the photo.

13. The statue of the
devil looks big that
shows how much
power it has. It links
to the roller coaster
in the background
because of the
colours of the devil is
the same colour as
the tracks.
Frame 9
This looks like the
devil and the roller
coaster are linked
to the film, because
it is showing that
the girl is scared of
the roller coaster,
another typical fear.
This shot also zooms into the devil making it closer
and closer to the audience creating tension.

14. Develop
9 Key Frames
• Open the template in STUDENT COMMON/MEDIA
STUDIES/AS MEDIA
• Select your 9 Key Frames from your chosen opening
(remember to consider your genre!)
• Analyse each one in detail!
Date
Term ?, Lesson ?
14

15. Trailer Frame Analysis:

16. Frame 1
• Type Here
• Put Frame Here

17. Develop
Homework
1. Your mind map of the conventions of a title
sequence (using www.bubbl.us) should be
completed by THURSDAY 21ST
2. Complete your 9 Frames Analysis by TUESDAY 26TH
3. Update any missing posts from your blog!
11/11/2013
Autumn 2, Lesson 3
17

18. Celebrate
Date
Plenary
Term ?, Lesson ?
18