Film opening: Codes and conventions.

Film opening: Codes and conventions.Code and conventions: are signs or elements which make the extract iconography of a film opening. The code and conventions: Production and Disruption company logo.Title (Graphics/typography- cast and crew)establishing the genre Non-diegetic and diegetic soundtracks (e.g parallel/contrapuntal) Enigma Narrative (introduction to narrative)

Production and distribution company logos. A production company logo is always shown in the very beginning of the opening sequence often followed by the distribution company to build up expectation within the target audience. For example; if the audience were to see the universal studios logo the audience are expecting an high budget blockbuster (an very popular or successful production).

Some production and distribution companys include: Warner Bros. pictures Dreamworks animations Walt Disney pictures

Keywords: Production company: The production company is the company which produces the film. For example; The Warner Bro. pictures is the production company for harry Potter. Distribution company: The distribution company is responsible for the marketing of the film, eg released dates for the cinemas.

Title (Graphics/typography- cast and crew)

An film opening is a brief prologue or introduction to tell the target audience the names of the people and organisations that have taken part in the making of the production; giving them acknowledgement for their role. This information can be represented powerfully in a way which is expresses the genre of the film.Example of some names/organisations which would be represented: Production company Producers names Directior(s) names Lead characters (such as protagonist and antagonist- typically most famous) Crew/ supporting cast. These titles within the opening sequences foreshadows the genre to the target audience; from which the way the titles are represented or which actors have been casted. For example, seeing Tim Burtons and Johnny Depps name in the credit sequence, suggests expectations of an gothic/horror genre.

Establishing the genre

The idea behind an opening sequence is to give the target audience limited information to keep them eager and around to watch the rest of the film. Within the film opening scene they; establish the genre:The opening sequence should clearly distinguish the genre of the film by using the conventions which are associated with that genre. For example; in a horror, a key convention represented to the audience is a large amount of contrapuntal non-diegetic music, low key and unsaturated lighting to connote the feeling of a darken presence building tension. They can also contain props or characters, which can establish the genre of the film, they contain an character/prop of even events with signifies to a specific genre. For example; in a comedy, characters or events have an element of satire comedy (something in which will make their target audience laugh). However in a thriller, characters deaths, or iconography of the props used. For example; in the opening scene for Se7en, props are used in a point of view shot, to connote the crime/thriller genre.

Non-diegetic and diegetic soundtracks (e.g. parallel/contrapuntal)

Soundtrack is a highly used convention throughout all genres opening sequences, as it sets an atmospheric mood. Mainly the use of non-diegetic as it set the scene and conveys the genre atmosphere for the rest of the movie. For example; a horror would use an asynchronous non-diegetic soundtrack to signify the uneasiness of the events occurring or foreshadowing disequilibrium. Whereas, an rom-com would use synchronous soundtrack to connote the calmness to keep the audience relaxed.

Soundtrack can also be used to set up audiences expectations of the film; specially if the film belongs to a well-known franchise, where the ironic theme tune is played in each opening sequence of each film.

Enigma In theatre/film work enigma means to create a sense of mystery for the audience or viewers to solve. Its used at the start of the opening sequence to help create suspense and questions to attract or tempt by offering pleasure to the target audience. Enigma, keeps the film interesting and new questions forming, in the minds of the audience. Therefore psychologically the audience are want to finish the film. By using this code from the very beginning keeps the audience, hooked from the start. An good example of the use of enigma in the beginning of the film is in Woman in black when the three little girls are talking off screen to someone or even when they jump out the window- to their death together. This leaves the audience in shock, and creates enigma from questions such as, Who were they talking to? and, Why did they jump?.

Narrative (introduction to narrative)In the opening sequence of each film production the idea is to give the narrative, however to keep it limited in order to keep enigma, causing the target audience keep intrigued to watch the production. In some films the narration or text isnt shown this is to make it challenging to the audience, creating a sense mystery in the opening scenes. In some productions there is a use of non-diegetic voice overs on in the background, this gives the audience a better understanding of the narrative and also can introduce the characters. An perfect example where this is represented is in the opening scene for the thriller, American Psycho where the lead character (protagonist) is giving a description of his morning routine, where the shots are parallel to the voice over.