AS Media Studies Codes and Conventions

1. AS MEDIA STUDIES
Nikoleta and Ada
Film opening sequence codes and convention

2. Introduction
My main task is to make a film opening sequence and many other tasks that go along with it. It includes researching
the film opening sequence codes and conventions.
The purpose of a film opening sequence is to introduce the audience to the genre of the movie, establish the setting,
indicate the mood and visual aspects of the film, amongst other elements. This can be done by using certain types
of shots, angles, sounds, colors and animation.
It also enables companies to present their title, production and cast.
There are many ways for directors to accomplish such things from the very start of the film, which include an
establishment shot, narration and flashbacks. All of these aspects are used to draw people in, keep their attention
from the beginning and also target the fans of the specific genre. The opening sequence needs to reveal the film’s
tone and mood as well as present it in the best possible light and set the expectations for the events that happen
later in it.

3. ELEMENTS OF THE FILM OPENING SEQUENCE
Studio
Titles
Establishing the genre
Character introduction
Themes and topics
Narration
Sound
Enigma
Credits
Flashback
Establishing shot
Action
Animation

4. STUDIO
A film opening sequence will always show a logo of a company that executed the production
The "Big Six" film studios:
20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Universal, Disney, Paramount, Sony Pictures Entertainment

5. TITLES
The purpose of a film title is to represent and portray it’s mood. It is usually clear, readable and
visually appealing so it attracts viewers. Titles often fit the genre of the movie: for example, a movie
for children will have a childish, decorative font in contrast to a heavy drama or thriller, which will
have a more serious-looking font.

6. ESTABLISHING THE GENRE
Establishing the genre of a film is usually done by positioning a character in a situation that is
typical for the genre. The importance of the genre and establishing it properly is to target a
specific audience that enjoys the produced content.

7. CHARACTER INTRODUCTION
During the opening sequence, the main characters can be introduced which signifies their
importance for the plot. However, in some films the main characters aren't introduced in the
opening sequence, which creates the effect of mystery surrounding the character.

8. THEMES AND TOPICS
The topic of the film is introduced in the opening sequence and it is used to give the audience
a sense of what the film is about without giving any details away. Along with that, it also
introduces the genre of the film. A theme is the idea, or purpose of a film. It is the whole
reason why films are made. The theme is the heart of the movie.

9. NARRATION
Narration in films has a very different function to a voice over. The latter is an off screen voice
rather than a character with dialogue. The simplest role of the narrator is the exposition. They
summarize the key plot points so the movie can rapidly progress to the next scene and keep
the story moving forward.

10. SOUND
Sound is one of the key elements of a film. There is no film without sound.
Imagine how boring a film would be without any sound to listen to. Films are
produced using three types of sounds: human voices, music and sound effects.
These three types of sounds are crucial for a film to feel realistic for the
audience. Sounds and dialogue must perfectly sync with the actions in a film
without delay and must sound the way they look.

11. ENIGMA
Enigma codes entice the audience to watch the rest of the film as they're curious as to what
will happen next; they also help to move on the narrative.

12. CREDITS
The opening credits inform the audience which studios or production companies were
involved in making the film, and they run the names of the major stars in the cast. The end
credits, which appear after the final scene of a film, list everyone involved in the production.
Where opening credits appear at the beginning of a work, closing credits appear close to, or at
the very end of a work. They are an extension of the film's art form. Just as the opening of a
film sets the emotional mood and the tone of the film, the closing credits complete that movie
watching experience.

13. FLASHBACK
A flashback is an inserted scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point in
the story. In film, flashbacks portray the subjective experience of a character by showing a
memory of a previous event and they are often used to "resolve an enigma".

14. ESTABLISHING SHOT
An establishing shot is a shot in filmmaking or television that sets up the context for the scene
ahead, designed to inform the audience where the action will be taking place. It shows the
relationship between people and objects, and establishes the scene's geography.

15. ANIMATION
Animation is a film produced by photographing a series of gradually changing drawings, which
give the illusion of movement when the series is projected rapidly. Animation is important
because it makes us be able to tell stories and communicate emotions and ideas in a unique,
easy-to-perceive way that both small children and adults can understand.