Research on Film Openings

•  The key elements/features of film openings are establishing setting, mise-en-scene, character placement, representing genre, and cinematography. Establishing setting means to give the audience an insight on where the film is set and to draw them in. Establishing setting may sometimes give indications into the plot and the narrative in which the story is told. The setting could be determined with an establishing shot which can provide the audience context about the character along with more details about the film. Mise-en-scene is a French term that translates to "place on stage". This is very important because everything that is in frame for a scene is there for a reason and is used from representing emotion and setting the mood of the scene and/or film. From the audience's outlook, we get a genuine sense and feel for the film. The things caught in the frame, such as costumes and props, can tell what time period the film takes place or the beginning of things that are about to take place. Mise-en-scene is one of the most important factors of the film that tempt us to watch the films. Character placement is important because it helps in the development of the scene. The distance between two characters can help establish their relationship to one another. Do they stand shoulder to shoulder or do they stand on opposite sides of the room from each other? The placement can tell a lot about the characters without them even having to converse. Representing genre is simple but the execution can be complicated. You have to establish the genre in a way that won't reveal too much in the opening scene so the audience know what they are about to watch. With the use of genre conventions, there will be suggestions of the narrative and story line and get a perception of what will come further along in the film. As an audience, we decide what type of movie we want to watch, so if the opening isn't giving us what we need, we won't be interested in it anymore as as much as before. Cinematography is the way you present footage, it's just as important as the content. The visual appearance is important when creating the opening scene. When the opening is aesthetically pleasing, we as an audience will become influenced into the film due to the fact that it meets our needs. 

• The purpose and reasoning for film openings are to convey a powerful expression of motion graphics that serve the purpose to prelude to the movie. Opening sequences engage they audience by dropping hints about what is about to start whether it be a movie, TV show, or an animation. A primary function of a title sequence is to set the tone of what you are about to watch. The effectiveness of title sequences are engaging and exciting the audience by indicating some of the topics, themes, and in some cases, the challenges the characters may possibly be facing. The manifest is to build anticipation, suspense, while sometimes revealing some of the traits the main character has and potentially setting the stage with questions that will be answered later on in the plot and movie. 

• The similarities in the opening sequences (conventions) irrespective of the genre.

Compare/Contrast conventions by genre

Visual Elements: A common setting in horror, drama, and comedy films are haunted/abandoned house. Horror movies use low-key and dim lighting, dramas use side lighting. Dramas, comedies, and horror use medium shots, close up shots, establishing shots, and long shots in their opening scenes. 

Character development: Character times common in both horrors and dramas are the protagonist and the antagonist.

Plot Introduction: Plots for horror and dramas movies are typically introduced by flashbacks and flash forwards while comedies are opened by teasers. 

Representation: In both drama and horror, there are evident stereotypes that are sometimes displayed in the opening scene of these films.