TASK TWO: What is an Opening Sequence?
What is an Opening Sequence?
An opening sequence is essential to any film, this is what keeps the audience interested and drawn into the first 10 minutes of the film and will likely watch the film to the end.
Some of the functions commonly seen in an opening sequence include:
- Enigma codes so that the audience ask questions and want to see what happens next
- Company credits
- Title credits
- Information about characters and plot
- Location
OPENING SEQUENCE SE7EN
ANALYSIS
In the opening sequence to se7en there is non diegetic music setting the tone to the sequence creating a tense thriller-like opening complimenting the low key lighting of the book. Throughout the opening sequence a book is used in different forms including reading, writing, crossing out of text and other ways. This makes me think that the book symbolises a key objective in the film.
In the opening sequence there is a close up shot of crossing out words such as "Transsexual", "Homosexual", "Heterosexual", "intercourse". This shows the theme of the movie to the viewers and perhaps it gives them the impression that there could be some disturbing features in the film that possibly foreshadow the opening sequence. The words crossed out can be seen as harsh words, which makes me think that the serial killer in the film might be related to this kind of subject. When the clip changes there is a close up shot again of a polaroid image with the same crossing out over the boys face. This shows that the two clips symbolise and have an overall meaning. The use of low key lighting in the final clip could give of a sense of negativity to the viewers and could make them wonder what is going to happen making them feel worried or anxious.
OPENING SEQUENCE
NOW YOU SEE ME
This technique is used two more times when introducing the four main actors. This shows their different professions - a con artist and a public entertainer. There are uses of different shots to show the different kind of tensions they create to their paying audience.
The Dark Knight's opening scene shows the men in masks performing a heist in a bank. in the first 16 seconds of the opening sequence we can see a man standing up with a mask. The camera zooms into this mask which builds tension and suspense.
15 seconds later we see two men go along a zip wire from building to building. Here, an establishing shot is used, this is so that the audience can see the location of the scene. We can tell that its been filmed in the city as there are loads of tall buildings.
Another close-up shot is used when the two men are now on the building they were trying to get to moments before. This adds on to more tension. As you can tell, the quick cuts between all of these clowns are hard to follow, which mirrors the chaos and confusion of the scene. Quick cuts also need to be used to show us what's going on around the whole building, as there are mask men inside where the innocent people are but also on the roof, or by the safe.
Next, an important close-up of one of the mask men shows him to be holding something we can’t quite see. A loud sound effect of a gun shot, and the shatter of glass is heard one of the clowns who spoke in the car drops dead to the floor.
At the beginning there is already dramatic non-diegetic music playing. This already gives the audience a hint of what the film might be about or what genre it is. We see a selection of flashbacks and voices start to appear. Leading up to the climax the music gets more intense, as it gets louder, we start to hear a woman scream, and the cuts are quicker too.
Then finally, the gunshot fires, and then the scene cuts to a man lying in his bed, and there is silence.In the flashbacks we see a medium/long shot of a man driving a car. We also see numbers appear repeatedly and then what looks like family pictures. We also see a close-up shot of a man on the phone
Once the man wakes from what looks like a dream, we slowly sits up. Shortly after writing comes up on the screen, telling us that he is in Goa, India. There are many enigmas codes used here:
-Why is he in India when you can later on see that he is American?
These enigma codes are used so that the viewers carry on asking questions. These questions that get asked by the viewers want to get answered, so this is the reason why they carry on watching the programme/film.
OPENING SEQUENCE UP
ANALYSIS
Unlike the other films, this is a child friendly disney animation. This sequence is a montage of flashbacks through which no dialogue can be heard only the non-diegetic soundtrack, with a consistent melody throughout which changes to match the stages of Carl and Ellie's life story.
For example, all the stages of their life such as moving into a house and getting married is very upbeat and uses high key lighting to reflect the uplifting mood and steady pace (reminiscent of a waltz).
OPENING SEQUENCE FOREST GUMP
The sequence first opens with a 'Paramount Pictures' logo, from this we know that this film will be worth watching. Furthermore, from Paramount's reputation as a part of a well established media conglomerate, the viewer knows that the film will probably be a success at the box-office.
The director uses a tracking shot following a white feather floating down from the sky, whilst the title credits showing the cast and crews names. The cameras focus on the white feather becomes an enigma code for the audience as we are left wondering what it represents. Although we do know that it has some significance in the film.
The director uses a tracking shot following a white feather floating down from the sky, whilst the title credits showing the cast and crews names. The cameras focus on the white feather becomes an enigma code for the audience as we are left wondering what it represents. Although we do know that it has some significance in the film.
There is a minimalistic atmosphere to this opening sequence; which we can see through basic font and transitions of the title credits. As well as the gentle and calming background music, the director has also used no cuts to represent this.
The film se7en is directed by David flincher and written by Andrew Kevin walker. The film is a modern day thriller and is based around two detectives who are hungry to find a serial killer who ''justifies his crimes as a absolution for the world's ignorance of the seven deadly sins''.
In the opening sequence to se7en there is non diegetic music setting the tone to the sequence creating a tense thriller-like opening complimenting the low key lighting of the book. Throughout the opening sequence a book is used in different forms including reading, writing, crossing out of text and other ways. This makes me think that the book symbolises a key objective in the film.
There is a use of title credits the whole way throughout the opening sequence. The font is very gritty and the use of the contrasted black and white makes the audience feel on edge. They used big names such as Brad Pitt, this suggests that as they have used an A-list star and that they are a part of the BIG SIX.
There is a range of close up shots through the opening sequence showing texture. The close up of the needle looks as if it represents a religious symbol of a cross. This is highly represented through thriller films which could foreshadow a future scene in the film.
There is a use of an overlay closeup. This creates a sense of time passing suggesting that the serial killer spends everyday planning his next act. The overlay creates a montage type of effects.
This may also make the audience feel confused due to the illusion of the overlay.
In the opening sequence there is a close up shot of crossing out words such as "Transsexual", "Homosexual", "Heterosexual", "intercourse". This shows the theme of the movie to the viewers and perhaps it gives them the impression that there could be some disturbing features in the film that possibly foreshadow the opening sequence. The words crossed out can be seen as harsh words, which makes me think that the serial killer in the film might be related to this kind of subject. When the clip changes there is a close up shot again of a polaroid image with the same crossing out over the boys face. This shows that the two clips symbolise and have an overall meaning. The use of low key lighting in the final clip could give of a sense of negativity to the viewers and could make them wonder what is going to happen making them feel worried or anxious.OPENING SEQUENCE
NOW YOU SEE ME
In the opening sequence of Now You See Me, straight away there is a close up shot in shallow focus immediately capturing the audiences attention towards the cards. This allows the viewer to see what the actors watching the magician are seeing and creates focus and tension. This also allows the audience to understand the genre of the film.
Straight after the scene changes, there is another close up of another magician, this is an over the solder shot. The Magician is as talented as the first but doing a complete different source of magic, he is a hypnotiser and a mind reader. This for shadows the future scene and makes the audience see a connection between the actors.
This technique is used two more times when introducing the four main actors. This shows their different professions - a con artist and a public entertainer. There are uses of different shots to show the different kind of tensions they create to their paying audience.
As a viewer this is a very effective opening to not only draw in the audience's attention but to introduce us to the different kind of magicians they are. This gives us general knowledge about each of the actors for throughout the film.
There is use of mine-en-scene throughout the scene to emthasize the different styles of work through the actors. An example of this a spoon is used, this may seem like a pointless magic trip to the eye, but it has ended up unexpected.
At the end of the scene there are close up shots of their audiences to show their reactions after what they have seen. As a viewer this is represented to make the audience feel how they are feeling and it makes them immediately attached to the film.
OPENING SEQUENCE THE DARK KNIGHT'S
ANALYSIS
The Dark Knight's opening scene shows the men in masks performing a heist in a bank. in the first 16 seconds of the opening sequence we can see a man standing up with a mask. The camera zooms into this mask which builds tension and suspense.
Non-diegetic music continues to play throughout the scene, building more suspense. About 3 minutes 20 seconds into the opening sequence we see a mask man trying to gather as much money as he can into a bag. The camera zooms in on him doing this. How quickly and messily he is making this process shows us that he is in a rush to get the job done.
15 seconds later we see two men go along a zip wire from building to building. Here, an establishing shot is used, this is so that the audience can see the location of the scene. We can tell that its been filmed in the city as there are loads of tall buildings.
Another close-up shot is used when the two men are now on the building they were trying to get to moments before. This adds on to more tension. As you can tell, the quick cuts between all of these clowns are hard to follow, which mirrors the chaos and confusion of the scene. Quick cuts also need to be used to show us what's going on around the whole building, as there are mask men inside where the innocent people are but also on the roof, or by the safe.
Another close-up shot is used when the two men are now on the building they were trying to get to moments before. This adds on to more tension. As you can tell, the quick cuts between all of these clowns are hard to follow, which mirrors the chaos and confusion of the scene. Quick cuts also need to be used to show us what's going on around the whole building, as there are mask men inside where the innocent people are but also on the roof, or by the safe.
Next, an important close-up of one of the mask men shows him to be holding something we can’t quite see. A loud sound effect of a gun shot, and the shatter of glass is heard one of the clowns who spoke in the car drops dead to the floor.
Throughout this opening sequence a lot of dialogue is used. The main theme of what everyone is talking about is the heist. This is essential for a sequence like this because the audience needs to know what's going on. From what different people say it also enables us to identify who is who and what their motives are.
OPENING SEQUENCE THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
ANALYSIS
Once the man wakes from what looks like a dream, we slowly sits up. Shortly after writing comes up on the screen, telling us that he is in Goa, India. There are many enigmas codes used here:
- Why is he having these nightmares?
-Why is he in India when you can later on see that he is American?
- Why is the girl that he is with worried about him?
- Why is the man lying telling her its just a headache?
- Why is the man lying telling her its just a headache?
These enigma codes are used so that the viewers carry on asking questions. These questions that get asked by the viewers want to get answered, so this is the reason why they carry on watching the programme/film.
Unlike the other films, this is a child friendly disney animation. This sequence is a montage of flashbacks through which no dialogue can be heard only the non-diegetic soundtrack, with a consistent melody throughout which changes to match the stages of Carl and Ellie's life story. 
We know time has passed though the characters costumes which change from bright colours and pastels and coloured hair to grey hair and dark clothing.
The fact there is no dialogue does not affect the story as seen in the cloud-watching which conveys their communication even clearer than speech.
For example, all the stages of their life such as moving into a house and getting married is very upbeat and uses high key lighting to reflect the uplifting mood and steady pace (reminiscent of a waltz). 
However, the pan from painting a bedroom nursery to a hospital room with Ellie's face in her hands, the music after 1.20 becomes somber and slow with only a solo piano playing to emphasise the realism of their story and the sadness they also experienced.
There is no title credits or even the title of the film. Yet, the simplicity in the storytelling of revealing of the main character's past ordeal- Carl allows the audience to later on sympathise with the way he portrays himself.
OPENING SEQUENCE FOREST GUMP
ANALYSIS
The sequence first opens with a 'Paramount Pictures' logo, from this we know that this film will be worth watching. Furthermore, from Paramount's reputation as a part of a well established media conglomerate, the viewer knows that the film will probably be a success at the box-office.
The director uses a tracking shot following a white feather floating down from the sky, whilst the title credits showing the cast and crews names. The cameras focus on the white feather becomes an enigma code for the audience as we are left wondering what it represents. Although we do know that it has some significance in the film.
The director uses a tracking shot following a white feather floating down from the sky, whilst the title credits showing the cast and crews names. The cameras focus on the white feather becomes an enigma code for the audience as we are left wondering what it represents. Although we do know that it has some significance in the film.
There are many enigma codes throughout the opening such as why does he have a suitcase or why are his shoes covered in mud?
The association implied by a white feather is usually a symbol of faith and protection, and by the camera panning up as Forrest (establishing him as the main character) he picks up the feather this could suggest that the character will be put through a lot during the course of the film and will need faith and protection.
The first name we are introduced to is 'Tom Hanks in Forrest Gump'. Tom Hanks is the 'movie star' Paramount have used to promote the film's popularity and success.
There is a minimalistic atmosphere to this opening sequence; which we can see through basic font and transitions of the title credits. As well as the gentle and calming background music, the director has also used no cuts to represent this.
