Conventions of Film Openings.

In horror movies, the opening title varies. Many films use the opening title to give an idea to the spectator of what the film is about. For example, in opening titles in films such as psycho;

This screen grab shows how the title of the film is shown. They used this technique and graphics to show the type of film. When put together with opening soundtrack, the spectator knows instantly the genre of film. Also, as the font and colour of the title is bold, in capitals and black and white, you get the idea that this film is a simple storyline with a thriller element to it. The graphics work well with the editing, sound and credits that are introduced in the beginning.

Another example we viewed was a film named Pelham 123. This was a good example which also uses graphics to show the film introducing the main characters as well as showing the opening credits and logo for producers etc. The establishing shots shown in the beginning here, are used well to show the urban side of this movie, it give a good feel to the spectator of where it is set. Editing works well with sound here to show this urban side. In the screen grabs i chose, it shows the urban side they were trying to get across.

In these screen grab it shows the city where it is set and the main character. There is a close up used to show importance of this character.

The screenshot opposite is the one showing the urban side to the film.


Overall, the main conventions for openings of a thriller are:

•  To introduce the main character
• Have credits show up through the opening
• The name of the film needs to be presented
• Logo's for the production company need to be shown
• There needs to be a hook to keep the viewer interested in what is happening.
• The music needs to fit with the genre and fit in with the editing as well.