AS Media Studies

1. AS MEDIA STUDIES
FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO
FILM OPENING SEQUENCE
CODES & CONVENTIONS
Xue Bai
This presentation was done as a part of my secondary research. During this research I was
influenced and inspired by the existing media studies student work that is relevant to this
t o p i c , i n t e r n e t i n f o r m a t i o n a n d n e v e r t h e l e s s Y o u T u b e v i d e o s u c h a s :
• 10 Best Opening Title Sequences of all Time
• 10 Best Opening Shots of all Time
• 10 Best Character Introduction of all Time

2. INTRODUCTION
Film Opening Sequence is the purpose of a film opening is to entice the audience into carrying on
watching a film. A film opening should also establish characters and genre. Directors can do this in
many ways.
Majority of mainstream films in order to appeal to the audience and to point out key elements of the film
follow established genre, narrative, compositional and graphical codes and conventions such as:
• Studio
• Titles Genre
• Themes and Topics
• Establishing the Genre
• Introduction of characters
• Sound
• Narrations
• Enigma
• Credits
• Flashback
• Establishing shot
• Action & Chase scene

3. Studio
-Film opening will always show logos or identification of the production companies and
often the distribution companies involved in the production of the media text. If the film
has a high budget the logo will be adapted to reflect the genre and story line of the film.
These days SGI is used to enhance the appearance of the logo.
Titles
-All films have title scenes, too. The functions of the title sequence in a film may seem to be
fairly obvious, these show the title of the film, cast and production team that were involved in
the making of the film. The titles is graphical feature that is used to build up suspense and
can depict the genre of the film.
Establishing the genre
-Genre within the film opening sequence is portrayed in order for the audience to be able
to establish the genre of the film due to key genre conventions which indicates the genre
to the audience. All of the above factors contribute to establishing the genre of the film,
and the opening sequence will usually include a character or event that is typical of a
particular genre.

4. Establishing of characters
-The establishing of characters in an opening scene of a film is one of the key conventions in a film opening as
this is where the audience generally are introduced to the main characters as it signifies their importance and
statues within the film. In some films the characters are not show in the opening scene because the director
that the lead character to be hidden and mysterious.
Topic/Theme
-The topic of the film is introduced in the opening scene to help and lead the audience on. This is done so that
the audience create clear understanding of the film genre and what is film about and what to expect in the film.
theme of a film is the story within the genre, it’s what occurs in the film opening, whether the film is a comedy or
horror most of the time there will be a theme in the opening scene that suggest the genre type to the audience.
Narration
-The narration is used in the opening sequence in order to provide additional information for the audience so
that they know what is going on and what will happen in the film. In some films the narration is left out in order
create mystery and build up tension and expectation. Some films may have non-diegetic voice overs at the
background which guides and helps the audience and gives them a better understanding on the film and also
makes the film more intriguing and interesting.

5. Sound
-In opening scenes of films there is usually sound: Non-diegetic and diegetic sound. Non-diegetic is the
most common as it helps set the scene for the audience and conveys the type of genre and what to expect
the film. Some opening films use diegetic music to help set the scene were the actors can hear the sound.
Some films may even use contrapuntal sound in the opening scene to add some mystery.
Enigma
-Enigma codes are used during the opening scene of a film to help create questions and tension right from
the very start to entice the audience. It’s a key factor in keeping the audience hooked from the start. Enigma
keeps the audience interested in the film and wanting to find out the questions.
Credit
-In the film opening sequence, the opening credits and titles are usually shown at the very beginning and
list the important members of the production, such as director, main characters and E.g. Type of font
on the film genre. Usually they are in clear, bold and easy to read topography.

6. Flashback
-In some opening film sequences a flashback I used to represent characters past or key event that will
trigger the rest of the film. A scene that in the narrative portrays back in time and usually it is a key
Establishing shot
-One of the most important camera technique used in the film opening sequence is the extreme long or
establishing shot. This is used to set the scene and inform the audience where the film is taking place.
Action & Chase scene
-Action scene is a fast paced opening to a film that attracts the audience straight away and will make
them want to carry on watching. Chase and action scene automatically shows the genre of the film.
scene is similar to the action scene, also catches the audiences’ attention. It involves them as they will
to see what happens after the chase.