Analyzing three openings.

1. Billy Elliot - A Drama.


After watching the first two minutes of the clip, I think it was a good enough opening to work out who the main character was, the genre of the film... and all in all, the plot of the story. The first thing we see on screen is an old record about to be played on a record player. This instantly gives the audience a clue as to what genre the film is going to be about...the audience can even make a judgement as to what kind of music the film will include as the song 'Cosmic Dancer' is played. We then see (presumably from this point) the main character jump up and down to the song in a happy and energetic manor The camera then gives a close of of the boys face, and we can finally tell the film is going to be about this young boy. Whilst the boy carries on jumping, we see different aspects of his body and clothing which also indicates that he himself is a dancer. The titles are then shown on the background, until the camera then shows the whole of the boys body, and finally the name of the film. These are all strengths of the opening as in my last post, i explained what makes a perfect opening sequence, in which i think this one delivers all of the aspects well.

2. Slumdog Millionaire - Drama


As much as the opening sequence of this film gives us a reasonable amount of information about the film, there are still some limitations and questions that I, and other audiences would have after watching the first few minutes. The strongest part of the opening is the first 15 seconds, in which a question is provided for the audience, giving us an insight on the plot of the story ( a million dollar question ). We can then guess that the plot of the film is something to do with how/if Jamal won the money. The music within the sequence also gives an indication as to where the film is set, along with the Indian titles that accompany the English ones.

3. Girl with the dragon Tattoo - Thriller


The music starts right at the beginning of the opening on a black screen, a production company name is then presented along with directors, whilst short stylish shots of the film are shown. The images are all shot in low light which reflects off of the black ( what looks like ) oil. Most of the shots are made from CGI, unlike the two other films, this gives the impression that the film is of a high budget production. One positive that may be drawn from the opening, is the fact that all of the images have some reference to the film, yet we do not get any insight into knowing the plot yet. (Unless you have read the book or already seen the film) therefore the film has a pre-soled audience. However, we do see a rather disturbing image of a women being restrained, we can then match that image, with the title of the film.

Why are opening sequences important?

Why are opening sequences are important?

What is the purpose of a good opening sequence?

• Sets the mood for the movie and possibly it's plot. 
• Captures your attention and holds it, or it doesn't. 
• Set the scene whilst also giving important names and companies who helped bring the film together. 
• Can introduce you to the main characters of the film, maybe giving a clue of the gender. 
• From the opening sequence the audience can have an expectation and are already making a judgment on the film that is about to begin. 

Jackie Brown - Opening

Jackie Brown - Introduction Timeline

0.00 - Music starts right form the begining.

0.00 - 0.14 - Film Logo 'MiraMax'.

0.14-0.17 - 'Another production logo.

0.22 - The company name presents the film first, a new scene is shown. 

0.27 - 'A brand apart' 

0.30 - The directors name shown.

(All of which the camera is in a still shot on a blue tiled wall)

0.36 - The main actress, as we can clearly tell by her name next to her, slides into the right hand side of the screen in an air hostess uniform, therefore presuming she is on a conveyer belt.

0.43 - The second most important actor then appears on the left of her.

(This carries on for the next several actors/ actress' until the title of the film appears on screen) 

1.10 - The crescendo of the music is then heard, as the title of the film in huge letters is seen right across the screen. along with the copyright rights underneath. 

1.19 - the 'less important' co starts and actors then carry on appearing after the title.

1.49 - The main actor then travels across the screen. 

1.50 - The background of the scene then changes to an X-Ray scanning of bags at an airport, over this, more titles are then seen as the bags pan across the screen.