Examples of opening sequences

Speed                 

• Fast-pace music is playing which is a characteristic of the action/thriller genre the meaning of this is that it is representing that this film is an action/thriller film.
• The producer attracts audiences, who like action/thriller films, by inputting fast-pace music. 
• Our film is of the thriller genre therefore we will also use fast-pace music. 
• When the credits have finished the music changes to intentionally build tension. This is meaning is that it is suggesting something is going to happen. 
• Camera starts tracking and the mise en scene is that we can see a door. The meaning of this is that it is suggesting that someone might enter. 
• Camera is tracking to suggest that it is following the lift. The meaning that this is conveying is that the lift is significant as the film goes on. I think it also gives a sense to the audience of why is it tracking the lift which adds a sense of mystery. This attracts the audience to keep watching. 
• The title 'speed' is intentionally presented coming from one side of the screen to the center at a fast pace to add style as the film is called speed. 
• Creative placement of the credits. 
• I have learned that this opening sequence provides a mystery element, camera tracking down in an elavtor shaft,  which makes the audience want to watch on. We will take this into consideration because our film is a thriller film and so is this film so we both share the same audiences. 

Snatch 

• Narrative is clear as you see them taking their disguises off and it seems like they have stolen diamonds. 
• All the main characters have been introduced and also charateristics are emphasised through the the freeze frames which show a facial expression for each character to give the audience more of an idea of what they are like. For example, when the character Vinny is introduced the mise en scene of this shot shows that he is smiling and that he has gold is in his hand. This emphasises that works in a pawn shop. This used these the gold and facial expression of Vinny to give more information about the chararcter. The meaning is that it is trying to represent what the characters are like. This opening sequence is mainly introducing the main characters in the film. 

• The music is fast-paced which links into the way the opening sequence is fast-paced. I think this is appealing to the audience because the music is catchy. The meaning of this is that it is trying to suggest that the film will be fast-paced as well.  
• Montage editing adds style and compresses time which emphasises the fast-paced aspect of the opening sequence. 
• To introduce the credits they use freeze frames which is very creative and stylish and also the font changes when the credits show up therefore it stands out more to the audience. The meaning of this is that it is representing the over-the-top style of this film. 
• I have learnt about how the characters are clearly introduced. I think this will be useful to input into our film because if we portray interesting characters then the audience will want to keep watching. 
• What I have learnt is that montage editing can compress time and emphasise the fast-pace aspect to the film. It is also entertaining to watch for the audience therefore the film is appealing to them. 

The Prestige