Making a Film Opening

Enigma - a person or thing that is mysterious or difficult to understand.

What makes a good film opening?

The main-title sequence or the opening credits of a movie can be considered the most important piece in a film. Other than trailers and marketing elements, they are the first images the audience sees when the lights go down. These quick clips (all about two to three minutes) outline the filmmaker's intentions and set up the expectations of those watching.

Saul Bass, a graphic artist in the film industry said, "making a main-title was like making a poster, you're condensing the event into this one concept, this one metaphor·a back-story that needs to be told or a character that needs to be introduced."

Factors to consider:

What EDITING techniques have been used? Pace, rhythm, cuts & transitions etc.

What is the CINEMATOGRAPHY like? Shot sizes, movements, angles & height.

What is the MISE-EN-SCENE like? Props, locations, lighting, costume & performance

What is the SOUND like? Music (& tone) dialogue, sound effects & ambience.

What are the TITLES & GRAPHICS like? Font, typefaces, colour, layout and movement. Look at

the NARRATIVE. What are you being and not being told? Enigmas.

Introduction to CHARACTERS. What do you find out about them? Like/dislike them?

Analyse the PRODUCTION VALUES. Does it look high end or low budget.

Clues to the GENRE of the film. Styles & codes.

Does the opening GRIP YOU and hold your attention? If so how does it do this?

Does the intro REFLECT & sell the films content  & themes & ADD something to & set up the film?