An opening sequence is the first couple of minutes of a film or television programme, in which the audience usually see the title of the film, along with the names of the key production and cast members or both, utilizing conceptual visuals and sound. It usually follows but should not be confused with the opening credits, which are generally nothing more than a series of superimposed text.
The opening sequence of a film or television show also usually offers the audience their first meeting with the protagonist, who is usually doing something in order to keep the story moving quickly and therefore allow the scene to be set and the audience to become familiar with more than one character; for example, in Trainspotting, the film begins with a group of men running down the street, implying quickly to the audience that this is a crime and drama film - however it doesn't instantly make it clear who these people are and whether they are the bad guys or the good guys, therefore making it difficult for the audience to identify and engage with the film immediately. Doctor Who, on the other hand, begins the first episode of series four with its two protagonists walking down the street in a crowd of people with the camera focused on each of them, so the audience know these people are who the show is going to be about.
The opening sequence of a film or a television programme is extremely important as it makes or breaks the amount of views your media product will receive. If the viewers decide after a couple of minutes that they are not interested in the film, it is more than likely that they will simply turn it off and watch something else - especially if, like us and our media coursework, they are not films you have to pay to see, just ones you put on YouTube. Though people are less inclined to pay to see a film if they don't think it will be very good, they are more inclined to continue watching even with a boring opening sequence if they have paid to get in.
In 'An Analysis Of The Opening Credit Sequence In Film', Melis Inceer, University of Pennsylvania, describes film opening sequences as follows:
"At a time when copyright issues are so central in the entertainment industry, film credits are likely to become more and more important. Furthermore, in an environment full of clutter, the first impression of the film in the movie theater, or on the television screen, prepares the viewer for what is to come just like the cover of a book. In this
The opening sequence of a film or television show also usually offers the audience their first meeting with the protagonist, who is usually doing something in order to keep the story moving quickly and therefore allow the scene to be set and the audience to become familiar with more than one character; for example, in Trainspotting, the film begins with a group of men running down the street, implying quickly to the audience that this is a crime and drama film - however it doesn't instantly make it clear who these people are and whether they are the bad guys or the good guys, therefore making it difficult for the audience to identify and engage with the film immediately. Doctor Who, on the other hand, begins the first episode of series four with its two protagonists walking down the street in a crowd of people with the camera focused on each of them, so the audience know these people are who the show is going to be about.
The opening sequence of a film or a television programme is extremely important as it makes or breaks the amount of views your media product will receive. If the viewers decide after a couple of minutes that they are not interested in the film, it is more than likely that they will simply turn it off and watch something else - especially if, like us and our media coursework, they are not films you have to pay to see, just ones you put on YouTube. Though people are less inclined to pay to see a film if they don't think it will be very good, they are more inclined to continue watching even with a boring opening sequence if they have paid to get in.
In 'An Analysis Of The Opening Credit Sequence In Film', Melis Inceer, University of Pennsylvania, describes film opening sequences as follows:
"At a time when copyright issues are so central in the entertainment industry, film credits are likely to become more and more important. Furthermore, in an environment full of clutter, the first impression of the film in the movie theater, or on the television screen, prepares the viewer for what is to come just like the cover of a book. In this
respect, film credits fulfill the important role of outlining the filmmaker's intentions and setting up the expectations of those watching."
No comments:
Post a Comment