Key Elements and features of a film's opening sequence

Research and Blog-Film Openings

Film Openings

The key characteristics for a film opening are tone, setting, main character, theme, and the opening shot.

Tone: To determine the mood of a film

Setting: To determine the time and place the film is taking place in.

Main Character: To determine if they will have a major plot impact.

Theme: To determine the message of the film.

Opening shot: To see the main character, and get out first impression on the film.

The purposes and reasons for a film opening is to introduce the villain, introduce the hero, establish relationships, establish the genre, and be a plot catalyst.

Introduce the villain: To get our first look at the antagonist.

Introduce the hero: To get our first look at the protagonist.

Establish relationships: To show the main character's thoughts about someone.

Establishing the genre: To show us the genre, to show what type of film it's going to be.

Plot catalyst: To determine the beginning of the action. 

3 film Openings

Action: Introduces the action, with the hero and the villain.

Horror: Introduces the horror, with the protagonist and the antagonist.

Sci-fi: Introduces the science fiction in a world where we are outside the Earth, and we meet aliens.

Sources: 

https://youtu.be/Jw_ysaoVlt4

http://www.storybreakdown.com/writing-great-opening-scenes/

https://saffronleeas.wordpress.com/2014/09/18/main-features-of-an-opening-sequence/