Conventions- Openings of Films

In movie openings you always have the productions and distribution logos of the main companies that work on the movies. These logos will sometimes be edited to relate to the theme of the movie.

The first shot of the film is usually an establishing shot or a blank screen with titles. These title screens can also be a way of building up suspense before the film and giving away the genre of the film to the audience before the film actually starts.

At the beginning of a thriller, a scene will usually be played to show the audience what the rest of the film will be about, what the rest of the film will be trying to unfold; why this scene has taken place.

Often at the beginning of films, the main characters will be shown before any others so that the audience know who they are and so who to pay attention to throughout the film, as they will have a main part to play.

At the beginning of most films, there will be music that relates to the genre of the film, that plays in the background through the opening credits and also through some of the opening of the film, in thrillers the music is usually dark and sombre, to create a feeling of suspense among the audience before the film begins.

The mise-en-scene in the opening of a film, will also relate to the genre of the film, for thrillers, the mise-en-scene will be dark and forbidding, whereas in a comedy film the mise-en-scene will be bright and cheerful.