Overview of Opening Sequences

i) What forms can opening sequences take? Can you list the conventional features of opening sequences?

Opening sequences can take very different forms to show clearly a start to the story and the message that the director wants to convey. Each opening sequence is unique and each take a different approach with how they reveal the story and introduce events. However, all opening sequences share conventional features that make them opening sequence and give off an individual effect.

• Setting- this is a very important feature of an opening sequence as it immediately shows the surroundings and reveals part of the story as it allows us to see what the story entails just from what is around and the background we can see. Also, the set and important parts such as lighting tells us the time the film is based and the personalities of the character as the destination can give an insight into the life of the character. For example at the beginning of Legally Blond, we can see it is set on campus and we get to see the main characters room and her beauty products laid out giving us an impression that she takes pride in her appearance and is vain.
• Characters- we get to see characters within opening sequences, particularly main characters and we can see their appearance and most importantly the role they will have within the film. It is our first glance at the main character and the build up into introducing them. However, in some cases we get a first impression of the character and this impression changes further on. For example, again in Legally Blond, we get ECU's of the characters blond hair being combed and her pink clothing and we get this impression of a bimbo however, this changes once we go on a journey with the character.
• Plot- the opening sequence introduces the overall plot and is the start to the narrative making it extremely important. It gives us an initial insight into what might happen however it does not give away too much as there are twists which surprise or shock the audience. There are also hints within the opening that link into future events and an example of this is at the beginning of Se7en when we can pick up that Morgan Freeman's character has seven days to solve the case as it is revealed that he will retire in seven days.
• Music- music is another convention as it reflects the overall mood and builds up atmosphere to the start of the film. With the film Se7en, there is tension music and it is quite slow and gives a feeling of mystery directly linking to the film.

Generally, the opening sequence is used to build up the film and is the start of the film so it gives an immediate impression and makes the audience want to carry on watching.

ii) What narrative functions of opening sequences can you identify?

• The narrative is never fully revealed as it is only the start of the film however, there may be hints and certain things that can be picked up on to link in with future events.
• Background information of the story is revealed and this adds to the narrative as we start to build up knowledge of things such as the setting and the actual time it is set.
• Important information about the characters in particular the main character is shown and this gives us an idea of their individual role and makes us as an audience to make predictions on where this character will end up. We also get to see the power the characters have and in some cases can see the protagonist and antagonist.
• The shot types are also counted as a narrative function as it reveals different sides for example CU's show facial expressions and can help us see their personality.
• Lighting is also a key technique in revealing narrative as it can be used in different ways to show different concepts e.g low lighting and shadows for a dark and mysterious narrative.

iii) What do audiences gain from watching the opening sequence?

From watching an opening sequence, the audience can gain excitement as it is a build up to the film they are watching and they can gain an initial idea into future events. It also helps them to gain knowledge as they get to see the characters, setting and the start of the story which provides audience satisfaction as they can see what the film is going to be about. The opening sequence may make the audience decide whether they think they will like the film and whether they will carry on watching.

iv) What do film-makers gain from including an opening sequence?

The opening sequence in the film makes it easier for the film-maker as it allows them to get across the initial message they want to achieve and allows them to build up suspense and to introduce the film that they have worked hard to produce. It is also a opportunity to provide hints and to link it in with future scenes and the overall conclusion of the film. They also gain the chance to captivate the audience and to keep their eyes peeled to the screen and want to keep watching to find out what happens. They can also gain public opinion as many people judge a film by the way it starts and will only want to keep watching if it is exciting and satisfies what they want in a film. When a film is released, it is judged by critics so if the film-maker can produce an effective opening sequence, they will gain knowledge that it appeals to the audience.

Applying the theory of Barthes to the opening of Phone Booth

Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes created his narrative theory once he began to notice how times were changing and began to think about language, culture and existence and the way they progress. In his theory, he came up with codes which were his set of rules and he used this theory to link together with the production of different stories. He concluded that all stories use the same five codes and that signifiers of genre can be used to create a narrative. His codes were:

1. Action Code- depicts the events which take place in the narrative- the who, where, when of the story. Action codes are sequential.

2. Semantic Code- refers to character and characterisation. The actions in the story are explained by the character's viewpoint on events.

3. Enigma Code- involves the setting up of mystery, its development and its resolution

4. Referential Code- involves explaining or informing. Mise-en-scene is a referential code.

5. Symbolic Code- involves the reading of the connotations of signs which transforms them into symbolic representations e.g. a character can symbolise bravery.

Five Codes with Phone Booth

Action Code:

- We immediately get a sense of place from the beginning as there are lots of establishing shots of New York and there are lots of moving shots to take the audience through the busy city.

- There is also a lot of background noise and this adds to where the film is set and the surroundings.

- As all these things are happening at once and there is a lot going on, we get the feeling that this is all happening in present time.

- After this, we are then introduced to the main character and we get an initial impression of what he is like through this.

Semantic Code:

- We see the main character first, who is dressed smartly and is on the phone, with a employee or friend following him and we get the impression that he is an important businessman.

- His personality is shown from this phone call and the way he walks shows how he has confident, arrogant and has authority with the job that he does.

- He is wearing sunglasses however, and this shows that there is more to be revealed about this character.

- With the character being on the phone, there is a link to the films title and we can tell that the idea of phones will play an important part in the film.

Enigma Code:

- The mystery is involved when we see a variety of different characters within the street of New York on their mobiles and we begin to wonder what the role of a phone will have to do with this film and what is going to happen next.

- As the first time we see the main character, he is wearing sunglasses, an air of mystery is created as we cannot see his eyes and can tell that there is more to this character and that something big will happen involving this man.

Referential Code:

- The film starts in the busy city during the day and it seems chaotic and crowded. This gives a slight feeling of entrapment and claustrophobia and this relates to the title of Phone Booth in being stuck in one place.

-The lighting is also very bright as it is filmed in daylight and this reflects the personality of the character being important, centred and the focus point of the story.

Symbolic Code:

- The character symbolises arrogance however, this makes me think that something will happen to teach him a lesson and to make him think about his actions.

- Also, the mobile phone symbolises distractions and as the main character shows his arrogance through the phone call, it seems as if the phone will have something to do with this punishment he will receive.

Applying the theory of Levi-Strauss to the openings of "Pale Rider" and "Die Hard 1"

Levi-Strauss created a structuring device for elements in stories which go together in pairs. He organised each story into binary opposites which reveal the structure of media texts. Levi-Strauss looked deeply into the arrangement of themes for example innocence and guilt as they are contrasting themes to have within a sequence. This theory seems to work with almost every action/adventure film.

"Pale Rider" (directed by Clint Eastwood)

Good vs Bad

Cowboys vs Villagers

Innocent vs Evil

Quiet vs Loud

Action vs Tension

Slow vs Fast

Brown Horse vs White Horse

Darkness vs Light

Calmness vs Violence

Peace vs Destruction

Death vs Survival

Normality vs Mourning

Town vs Country

"Die Hard 1" (Directed by John McTrernan)

Good vs Evil

Hero (cop) vs Villain

Future vs Past

Chatty atmosphere vs Reservation and silence of victims

Home vs Away

Marriage vs Career

Upbeat Music (Party) vs Tension music (with villains)

Smartly Dressed (businessmen/women) vs Undressed (main character-personal)

Closeness vs Distance

Single life vs Married life

Work vs Family

Happy vs Sad

Maiden Name vs Husbands Surname

Loud vs Quiet