Film Openings.

(Thursday 9th Jan)
During this lesson we watched a 30 minute documentary about film openings. Whilst watching it we answered a few questions like what particular openings are effective? And how can you make your opening effective? I would say watching the documentary was really helpful, because at the end of the lesson i was able to establish what made a good opening and what made a bad opening? It also made me think about our thriller opening and how we can use various techniques to draw in the audience and keep them hooked. We also learnt a few other vital things:

There are 4 main types of openings, these are:
- Classic: this opening contains alot of action and temptation which can help to grap the audiences attention, which is also known as 'Instant Arousal.' This opening should tempt the audience to continue watching the film.
- Classic (2): sets questions as it starts of with something small and then gradually builds up.
- Title Sequence: sets tone through titles and/or credits.
- Flashback: the opening scene starts at end of the movie, then slowly works back to the beginning. This is often affective, as audiences are trying to put together clues.

When Thomas Sutcliffe says:
'Films meed to seduce thier audience into long term commitment. Whilst there are many types of seduction, the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistable'

He meant that the opening needs to entice the audience to watch the full movie, beginning to end. The audience should share a long term relationship with the film rather than sharing a short relationship.

To achieve this directors use the 'instant arousal' technique. This is when they use a shocking scene in the beginning of the film.

Risks of instant arousal:
- high expectations
- you have to answer questions that the audience may ask at the beginning.

'A good beginnning must make the audience feel that it doesn't know nearly enough yet, and at the same time make sure that it doesn't know too little'

You should give enough information to attact the attention of the audience and help them to adjus to the film and make them feel comfortable establishing the characters, tone etc.

Kyle Cooper's title sequence to the film 'Seven' is so effective. It tunes the pitch, sets the tone, sets an idea. We know that someone is putting together a collage, it gives us clues that we don't see at that point. Although it doesn't show characters, or even the plot, the opening manages to set questions.

This lesson was very useful as it gave me ideas about my thriller opening and also watching opening scenes of many films has given me inspiration to create a opening that immediately graps the audience!