Opening Sequences

Lesson Objectives• To know: The different purposes / functions of an opening sequence.• To understand: The different types of approach to a film opening

sequence.• To be inspired and get some ideas for your own coursework.

Groups1 2 3 4 5 6 7

CameronJack CZain

SamJamesJack MMikael

SamiLiamAlexLewis

KavinashMichaelNikoHusnain

BayleyMannieKaneMax

Thomas AlfieKieronQuinn

KarlJaguarJordan

Opening Sequences• What are the purposes / functions of an opening sequence?

• What is the director trying to achieve with the opening sequence?

Types of film openings• There are 2 types.

• Let’s watch 2 film openings and try to think of how they are different

• Forest Gump - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7voy1vit6Y• Se7en - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEq-4fua3lM#t=49

What do you think?

Types of FO’sWhat are synonyms (similar words) for:

LINEAR:

NON-LINEAR:

Types of FO’sWhat are synonyms (similar words) for:

LINEAR: chronological, sequential, consecutive, one event directly after another

NON-LINEAR: random order, out of order, montage

Types of FO’sLINEAR NON-LINEAR

Opening sequences that are more focused around introducing you to a scene and characters.

Designed to be more clear so you can follow the story, sense of time is also clear.

The rest of the film is likely to carry on from the opening sequence.

Opening sequences that are more focused around themes, concepts and small details.

Designed to be more enigmatic so that there are more complex puzzles for the audience to try to solve.

Sense of time is unclear and likely to show flickers of narrative to restrict information such as setting or character.

Opening sequences to analyse • Snatch - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/snatch/ • Red lights - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/red-lights/ • Donnie Brasco - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/donnie-brasco/ • Dark Knight - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTxCc1S3LcM• Goodfellas- http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/goodfellas/ • Reservoir dogs- http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/reservoir-dogs/• Gone girl - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/gone-girl/

Conclusions….• Similarities?• Differences?• Purposes/Functions of opening sequences?• Types of opening sequence?

Homework• DUE: tomorrow

• To look at the following and complete on the sheet

• I, Robot - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/i-robot/ • Snake Eyes - http://www.artofthetitle.com/title/snake-eyes/

• Challenge task: find your own opening sequence and analyse it.• You can use Youtube, Netflix, Artofthetitle.com, watchthetitles.com