CONVENTIONS OF

OPENING
SEQUENCES
By Preet Kaur Benning
 FILM COMPANY'S AND
TYPOGRAPHY

Showing the film companies helps represent what types of films will be shown. It also helps
the audiences to relate the companies to other films they may have watched. Such as film four
films they may have seen before an.d also BBC Films which also is shown in Fish Tank

Harry Brown
Bullet Boy

Football Factory

Slumdog Millionaire

East Is East
Snatch My Beautiful Laundrette
 FILM TITLES AND TYPOGRAPHY

Showing the title of the film helps for the audience to familiarise with it. Also incorporating
the different themes. Such as the colours used and the way the titles have been shown. For
example, having bold sharp text may show how they film may be quite serious and scary,
Such as Fargo as it is black and white, denoting that it may be scary as of the dark colours
used.
 OPENING CREDITS

Getting an idea of the opening credits helps the audience to know who is in the
film. Some films show the characters they are playing as well as their real names
such as in Rita, Sue and Bob Too. These are more known in the older films. Yet
other films just show the actors names.

Bullet Boy

Rita, Sue And Bob Too

Se7en
 QUOTES

These all are quotes and reviews on the movies. This helps gain attention to audiences as if
they are familiar with some of the names, they are more likely to go and watch it. In
trainspotting wee see when it says ‘from the makers of Shallow Grave’, which people who
like that film will be more likely to watch this one. Helping gain awareness

Shifty

Billy Elliot

Trainspotting

Looking For Eric

 LOCATIONS

Showing the locations helps the audience to become apart of the diegesis as they
get familiar. Also we can differentiate with the different social classes, such as Billy
Elliot and showing the British Social Realism, set in a community centre.

Billy Elliot
Coraline
 KEY CHARACTERS AND ROLES

These are all examples of the key/main characters. Showing these helps us to identify what
the films may be about. For example in Trainspotting the guy is running, this connotes that he
may be a bad boy, trying to run away and/or is being chased.

Trainspotting

Looking For Eric

Billy Elliot
 FLASH BACKS/FORWARDS &
MONTAGE

In looking for Eric we see a flash back as Eric mentions Eric Cantona name. This is
good as it helps the audiences to remember the footballer and also what made him
well known. Having flash backs/forwards helps to either progress a film or to even
go back, remembering the significant moments which may have taken place.

This is England uses a

montage in the introduction,
showing key concepts and
historical moments in
England. This is a good idea
as it is different, showing
various scenes
 WHAT IMPACT HAS THIS RESEARCH HAD
ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR IDEAS?

From researching about different opening sequences, it has helped me to start to develop
ideas in what to include. It has helped improve my understanding of what should be
included, to help make sure that everything gets included, to help make it more appealing.

Through my opening sequence, I will try and portray through the British Social Realist view
and conveying the different themes. From looking at the opening sequences of various films
I will try to involve and add different types of themes. I have included various screenshots
from British films, which will help as they look and show a more realistic view, yet still
trying to attract the audience, involving them in the diegesis.

British films try and show the gritty, harsh reality. Through the film, like in Looking for Eric
they show flashbacks, which helps to try and educate the audience. This overall is good as it
is a good way to help inform and educate. Also, using a montage, like in This Is England, is
a good idea, in which I may consider as it is different and still helps portray the film in a
different light.