Codes and conventions of a film opening

Code and Conventions of Film Openings In movie openings you will always have the production logos and distribution logos Of the main companies that work on the movie. Depending on the budget of the film/hype -created for the film these logos will be edited in a form related to the movie, such as in 300 the WarnerBros logo is made to look like a shield and is worn away and dirty. This is to reflect the story line of the film. Generally the opening shot of a film will be either an establishing shot or a blank screen with titles on. These title screens can also be a way of building up suspense and also giving away the genre of the movie to the audience. A good example of this can be the movie Scream, where Scream sounds, Sirens and also heartbeats are played over the titles. The title of the movie also appears in blood red and comes on as if being slashed by a knife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFCStOMqpfk) – Youtube video of opening

 A convention of Slasher movies they will tend to open up by showing the characters in the movie but clearly pointing out each stereotype such as the 'Busty Blonde' Arrogant Male' and 'Virginal Girl' They will also tend to clearly point out what the villain is, such as with a phone call or another hint. (Link to Scream video also shows this)

 

In films that are using big stars, they will try to show as many of these actors as possible to show the audience that they are important and also will attract the attention more as the audience will like to see what their part is in the film. Some films however will not show the stars that are used inthe beginning. This is either to surprise the viewers later, or just watch in suspense until they arrive on screen. If amovie is using many big stars, the audience will be mostlikely going just to see those actors, not exactly because of the story so the audience will want tosee their favourite actor as soon as possible and as much aspossible. An example of this is when Hugh Grant featuresin a romantic comedy, they will generally use him as theselling point, and therefore, will be witnessed in the firstfew shots.Some films will also try to get as many inter-textual references as they can to filmsmade before the film which will help the audience reference it to a prequel or filmsthat it has looked at for reference as in, If it is a sequel it will generally show something which the audience will automatically recognize as being that movie e.g.in Bride of Chuckie There are many inter-textual references to horror movies made