Opening Sequences

Before beginning anything to do with our final piece, the Film Opening Sequence, we took the opportunity as a group/class to look at and review some opening sequences establishing all the strengths and everything that was found within the opening sequences. Stuff like Music/Soundtracks, Establishing Shots and quick and clear identification of the Genre were found in all opening sequences. These things need to be taken into consideration and added appropiately to our opening sequence. The music and soundtracks are used for effect and to also identify genre, but they will also become useful within our opening sequence as it will block out any unecessary background noise picked up by the video camera.

We looked at opening sequences from films such as Dirty Harry, Seven and The Usual Suspects.

Mise-en-Scene..

Mise-en-scene is used in all 3 of these movies. Mise-en-Scene refers to everything that appears before the camera including props, sets, actors, costumes and lighting. If the piece of filming is paused, the viewers must be able to establish the genre and exactly what is happening in the picture, this is the identification of mise-en-scene. Within our opening sequence we will try to ensure that mise-en-scene can be established by the props, costume and lighting we use in our video.

Ideology..

Ideology is the use of either a moral, political or social message portrayed to the viewers through the opening sequence. This is seen quite clearly in Dirty Harry when the murder of the women happens and they try to prevent it from happening in the future.

Sound..

In all 3 of the opening sequences to the films above there is the use of both non-diegetic and diegetic sound. Diegetic sounds are the sounds heard from the camera; natural sounds, whereas non-diegetic sounds are those which have been added to the video like sirens or church bells. All sounds used within opening sequences help portray the emotions and feelings within the film, this is shown in Dirty Harry through the sound that was used at the very beginning wen the list of deceased officers is scrolling down the screen.

Characterisation..

Characterisation is when the director dresses and portrays his actors to the audience in the correct way making sure they see the correct look of the actors. This can be put across to viewers via the use of props, costume and dialogue. This will be significant within our opening sequence to enable the viewers to establish as much as possible within our opening sequence.

Music..

Directors use soundtracks and music when dialogue is not being said to build suspense and make the audience want to know what is going to happen next. The music is normally a little eerie and quiet and fits the genre of the film.

Narrative..

Narrative is normally used in opening sequences from the heros perspective but within our opening sequence we will be looking to use no narrative and just a soundtrack and action.