Tuesday, March 14, 2017

Options for an Opening

There are many ways to open a film. The opening of a film hooks viewers in and gives viewers a first impression of your film. There are 5 essential types of film openings.


  • Teasers


A teaser is an opening scene meant to hook the viewers in. It leaves the audience with curiosity keeping them out of their seats wanting more. 

Example: Memento



  • Theme
Openings have the ability to demonstrate a film's theme.
Example: A Few Good Men (represents honor, the film's theme) 


  • Tone
The opening of a film can display the tone of the movie. It tells audiences how to view the film. It can be viewed as serious, funny, dark, et cetera. 
Example: Goodfellas (sets tone as violent) 


  • Character
A film opening can introduce audiences to characters in the film. This can be done in many ways, with a monologue or with no dialogue at all. 
Example: The Royal Tenenbaums 

  • Backstory
An opening can provide a characters relevant history prior to the story. 
Example: Up





 Out of all these options I decided the opening of my film will be made to introduce the main character, Maddy. I have considered numerous options to do so. I could introduce my character as a student by showing her daily repetitive routine that she is tired of; I could show her passion for films by showing the numerous movies she watches within about a month; I could introduce my character in her lost phase while she is searching for her passion by trying many new hobbies. 

Sources: https://screencraft.org/2017/01/04/5-essential-types-powerful-opening-scenes/

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