Conventions of Film Openings

Normally at the start of a film conventions are used to establish a film, it also allows us to identify the main character as they are normally introduced in the opening it also credits and highlights the producers, directors, actors etc...

These conventions consists of the following:

• Production Company Ident
• Distribution Company Ident
• Music Associated with these Idents
• List of credits; directors, actors, cashing etc...
• Establishing shots - where the film is set
• Introduction to main character(s)
• Introduction to the situation/storyline/narrative
• Sets mood, tone and genret

In the lesson we looked at two different film openings; The Taking of Pelham 123 and Psycho

1960

Both film openings differ as one uses a modern Convention of film opening and the other uses a classic opening.

In the Taking of Pelham 123, we straight away knew where the film if set as it started with an establishing skyline shot of New York City. Throughout the opening there was a lot of action going on. everything was very fast paced, there was also a lot of edits.

On the other hand, in the film Psycho, they followed the concept of a classic film opening as it is a very old film. Classic openings are different to modern openings as they often use animated credits, however what are similar in both is that both openings consists of; production idents, establishing skyline shots, and an introduction to the main character.

However there are disadvantages to both opening. The modern Convention of film opening used a face faced opening, will the audience find it too fast? Or will the rest of the movie match the pace? The plot of the film could also be given away and be very predictable for the audience. Whereas the classic opening is very slow paced, the audience may find it boring and may drag on the film.