Film openings are one of the most essential parts of creating a film. It's the very first sequence the audience sees. An opening is what hooks the audience. It gets them intrigued with the film and leads them to keep watching. This can be done in different ways. First, let's discuss the most important aspect of a film opening, the first shot.
The first shot is the very first thing the audience sees. It sets first impressions of the film. It pulls us into the movie. The shot can introduce various things like main ideas, premises, or character arcs.
The elements of a film opening are crucial to ensure it is done correctly. One element is establishing a setting. This lets the audience know where the film is taking place. It should also give slight clues as to the plot or narrative of the film. Mise-en-scene is a key element as well. In the opening sequence, it lets the audience get the feel of the movie. This helps them in deciding if they want to continue watching. Costumes can convey the time period of the films. Character placement can give insight into character relationships or representation. The lighting is also a significant part of the Mise-en-scene. It helps the interpretation of a film's narrative. For example, bright and sunny: something good is to come. Dark and dim: something bad will follow. Representing genre is a key element. Establishing the genre so the audience will have some idea of the film is great. This can be done by genre conventions. Cinematography is another key feature in opening scenes. The way the footage is presented to the audience is important for interpretation. It has to also look pleasing to them.
The purpose of a film opening can vary. It can be used to introduce a villain or a hero. This type of opening raises the stakes while introducing the main characters and key plot points. Establishing relationships in opening scenes can be used to create sympathy and give insight into character relations. Establishing a genre tells us the tone and the elements within the genre. Plot catalyst gives the audience background information to understand the characters and the plot more.
In the action genre, the opening scene usually starts with a bang. It typically opens with an action scene. Usually with no context to get the audience thinking "what is going on?". In my research of opening methods, I've found that the method exciting day in the life of the main character is very common. Movies like Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost Ark, James Bond Quantum of solace, and Men in Black (1977) are perfect examples of this in their opening scenes. Some others ones you may see are cold opens (teaser), like in Jurasstic Park (1993)
Indiana Jones and the Raider of the Lost Ark link
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