Codes and Codes and

conventions of film

conventions of film

openings. openings.

Film

ope

ning

s ar

e

Film

ope

ning

s ar

e us

ed to

:us

ed to

: • Show the audience

Show the audience where the film is set.

where the film is set.• Introduce the characters.

Introduce the characters.

• Show the genre and what

Show the genre and what

the film is about.

the film is about.• Draw the audiences

Draw the audiences attention into the film.

attention into the film.

Conv

entio

ns o

f a fi

lm

Conv

entio

ns o

f a fi

lm

open

ing

open

ing

• Around 2 minutes long.

Around 2 minutes long.

• Introduce the key characters,

Introduce the key characters,

eg: protagonist, antagonist,

eg: protagonist, antagonist,

sidekick ect.

sidekick ect.• Introduce the beginning of

Introduce the beginning of

the narratve.

the narratve. • Establishes a

Establishes a platform/scene.

platform/scene.• Key credits such as

Key credits such as production company, star

production company, star

system and director.

system and director.• Usually start with

Usually start with equilibream

equilibream • A key event will occur.

A key event will occur.

• Non diegetic sound.

Non diegetic sound.

Begins to show Begins to show ‘‘Hollywood PicturesHollywood Pictures’’ which is a label of which is a label of Walt Disney studios. It also shows Walt Disney studios. It also shows ‘‘Spyglass Spyglass

entertainmententertainment’’ which is a distribution company. which is a distribution company.

Kennedy/ Marshall is a well known company that produces Kennedy/ Marshall is a well known company that produces entertainment to audiences worldwide. entertainment to audiences worldwide.

Along with Barry Mendel, who is a well known producer.Along with Barry Mendel, who is a well known producer.

It introduces the main characters using a fade in It introduces the main characters using a fade in and out, with a font that consists of capital letters, and out, with a font that consists of capital letters, and sharp lettering. The fade in and out connote and sharp lettering. The fade in and out connote

the type of genre it belongs too; also the black the type of genre it belongs too; also the black background makes it clear itbackground makes it clear it would come Under would come Under

a horror or thriller. a horror or thriller.

The first scene introduces both characters for the audience to The first scene introduces both characters for the audience to feel familiar with them. They both show a loving attitude to one feel familiar with them. They both show a loving attitude to one another which shows they are in a relationship. It uses low key another which shows they are in a relationship. It uses low key lighting which connotes again that this is a horror or thriller. lighting which connotes again that this is a horror or thriller.

The next scene draws the attention of the The next scene draws the attention of the audience, as they discover something is not right. audience, as they discover something is not right.

This makes the audience worry on what has This makes the audience worry on what has actually happened. This makes it a successful actually happened. This makes it a successful

opening as the audience is already drawn into opening as the audience is already drawn into watching what will happen next.watching what will happen next.

The The audience then finds out that a man who is mentally audience then finds out that a man who is mentally disturbed has broken in, and is accusing the man, who disturbed has broken in, and is accusing the man, who

was his psychiatrist, of doing something wrong. This was his psychiatrist, of doing something wrong. This automatically helps the audience to understand that automatically helps the audience to understand that

this film is a psychological thriller. this film is a psychological thriller.

Bruce Willis is then shot, and the camera shot shows a Bruce Willis is then shot, and the camera shot shows a birds eye view and moves out slowly. It then fades out birds eye view and moves out slowly. It then fades out

and gives the audience and affect of sitting at the edge and gives the audience and affect of sitting at the edge of their seats, wanting to know if he will survive or not. of their seats, wanting to know if he will survive or not.