Task 5: what is the purpose of a film opening

The purpose of an opening sequence is for it to establish and introduce the viewer to  some of the following elements, which are; Characters, locations, Narrative, Plot, Themes and Visual style of a film. 

By watching the opening scene, the audience has a taste and a mini-overview of things to come; this sets the scene and presents the genre of the film.The introduction will eventually be replaced by more of the visual shooting of the first scene.

Opening credits are used sometimes during the opening sequence introducing important roles such as Directors, Producers, writters and in some cases famous actors/actresses starring.

An openng sequence can be shown in several different ways, but usually they are shown with a background sountrack/ audio with an openig of a scene or piece of the film. This piece of the film allows it to set the scene of the film giving the audience a foundation of the film.

 Questions answered below

 1) This means to catch the audiences attention, building their interest into the film and making them want to carry on watching the film.

2) The risks of 'instant arousal' is that it makes it harder because the audiences expectations will be hightherefore giving all the excitement away in the beginning will make the audience not want to watch the film as all the enjoyable moments were already revelead at the start.

3) This is so that it creates a particular sense of suspence and mystery for the audience. It gives the audience a particular idea of the plot but doesn't give the story away. it leaves the audience with questions and builds an interest making them wan to continue to watch the film

4)Stanley Kauffmann describes a classic opening of when they show the audience some form of establishing shot of the surrounding. This opening allows the audience to see the settings of the film. Mis-en-scene is critical here as this will allow a specific theme/ genre to come across to the audience as they watch the opening. A classic film opening would therefore always tell us the location of the film, the occupation of the main character, the nature of the film and it generally leads the audience into the story smoothly.

5)Kylie Coopers title sequence for the film 'seven' is very effective the way the letters fade in and out. the use of closeups makes the film seem mysterious creating suspence. this makes the audience wanting more and want to continue to watch the film. the soundtrack used in the background is very effective as it is dramatic and very creepy which is very successful as it gave a jumpy feeling from the beginning of the film

6) Welles wanted to create suspence and curiosity by the use of foley sounds like explosions to shock the audience. However Universal Studios put the credits over the opening which ruined his plans and overall effect he planned to do

7) The trick is when the opening of the film starts with the ending. The rest of the film shows how they ended up in the position shown in the opening.