Key Conventions

One of the main points of opening credit sequences is to introduce the main cast and crew.  The title sequence should also introduce an indication of how the narrative might work out. Opening sequences often use enigma codes such as seen in Brick to set up questions that the audience want to find out the answer to or they can establishes disruptions such as seen in London to Brighton that the audience will want to see resolved. Title sequences should also introduce key characters and tell the audience something about them such as Dave from Kick Ass who during the exposition sequence is shown to be lacking in female company. It should give you an idea of the Genre of the film - e.g. Kick Ass - by the end of the opening credit the audience has established that it is a teen comedy. It should also show Binary opposites, like in Shifty - the 'hero' is always in a close up shot and has lots of screen time whereas the man who is unpacking heroine has minimal screen time and the audience can't see his face properly. This positions the audience to get to know the hero more.

Typically, an opening sequence will contain:

• Details of cast and crew.
• The film's title.
• Production companies
• An introduction to character or character type.
• Indication of place and time.
• Information regarding mood and tone.
• Information about genre.
• Questions that the viewer finds intriguing. (sets up questions or ‘enigmas’)
• Narrative expectations – what is likely to happen in the film?
• Links to narrative theories

There may also be:

•          Flashbacks
  ·         Voice Over
  ·         Exposition
  ·         Patterns and types of editing that will be echoed in the remainder of the film.
  ·         Mise en scene and cinematography that will be echoed or elaborated upon later in the film.
  ·         Introduction to signature theme tune.