research task 4 - features and purposes of film openings

Task 4 

What are the features and purposes of film openings?

In every film, the title sequences share the same content, but are displayed in different ways, depending on the genre.  

                                   In the majority of films, the film opening usually starts off with the institutional information. This is the short sequence of the production companies who funded, made or own the film. The next feature of film  openings are the non diagetic soundtrack, that plays instantly after the institutional information, which also indicates the genre and content of the film. Then, in most films credits of the actors and producers appear. A small percentage of films integrate their credits within the movement of props of the films, whereas some films simply place the credits in the centre of the screen. After the title of the film appears to give information to the viewer of the title of the film. Some films make the title of the film appear dramatically to show the importance of the films name, whereas some simply embed it into the scene with no dramatic entrance. 

Following the introduction of the Films title, we are commonly introduced to the setting / location of the films, giving further knowledge to the viewer of where the scene is taking place. This is commonly done by an establishing tracking shot of the scenery. 

Lastly, we are then introduced to the main character or are made a reference to the main character.
             The purpose of film openings are to set the mood for the entire sequence. Also to entice the the audience to continue watching. Lastly to state ownership of the film.  

Below is a clip of Skyfall film opening, which I personally believed was the best opening out of the four films we watched. I think this was the best film opening as it was a good example of the features of film openings. The opening started with the appearance of the main character; James Bond drowning. This could indicate that James bond is leading to his death. This was then followed by the credits, film title and the start of the song.
We are then introduce to the 'Bond girl'. The plot of the story was slightly hinter within the opening as there are several references to death by the colour red commonly used. Also, the various shots of Bonds eyes (close up) follow the saying the eyes are the window to the soul. Credits are used throughout the opening and integrated within the action. The genre is action. I could tell as there was several shots with guns, in which guns are ideology in action films.