Opening sequence research

Establish the visual style
-Characters
-Location
-Narrative/plot
-Genre
-Themes

Opening sequence will contain
1-Details of cast and crew
2-Films title
3-Introduction of character or character type
4-Indication of place
5-Indication of historical period
6-Information regarding mood and tone
7-Introduction to signiture theme tune
8-Information about genre
9-Questions that the viewer finds intreging
10-Patterns and types of editing that will be echoed in the remainder of the film
11-Mise en scene and cinematography-echoed in the rest of the film

In opening sequences it sets the scene, and so the lighting and music is used to set the tone of the whole film. For example horrors typically have eary music and dark or grey lighting, typically romance opening sequences will be brighter than horrors, with happy music which lets you know the genre of the film and what to expect. Opening sequences are used to make people want to watch the rest of the film and so if the opening isn't strong people are alot less likely to continue watching, people don't think opening sequences are that important but when you analyse them you realise how much they are actually needed in the film. They are needed because they draw the person in and make you want to continue watching.