Codes and Conventions of Film Openings: Key Shot Timeline

I also looked at the four openings and drew a timeline of the events and symbols I felt were significant in the opening

AMELIE OPENING:

• The first film's opening that I viewed, Amelie, had it's genre hinted subtly throughout, the use of the colour red and the setting, Paris, have connotations of love and romance.  It conforms to the conventions commonly found in romantic films with narration giving exposition to the audience it also uses flashback, commonly used throughout film openings, they also allow exposition to be delivered visually. The use of close ups, which are deliberately unstable, implies the film will have a more natural tone.  

RESIDENT EVIL: AFTERLIFE OPENING:

• Though its shares the use of the colour red with Amelie, the connotations it presents are completely different to those of Amelie. The use of the colour red is used the convey the danger and death that's going to be a key aspect of the film; hinting at the film coming from the Zombie genre. Umbrellas are a key prop used throughout the scene, it is later revealed the company behind the zombie outbreak is called, "The Umbrella Cooperation."

             

JURASSIC PARK OPENING:

• Thirdly, I looked at the opening from Jurassic Park and noted that all the elements in the film are used to create suspense. Colours were also used throughout this opening, the use of cold, bland colours, such as grey, created an uneasy mood and suggested a more serious sinister tone. The shot reverse shot used between the raptor and the leader of the site implies the two characters will have a connection later in the film and is used to convey the power of the raptor as the man appears afraid 

THE HURT LOCKER OPENING:

• Finally I looked at the opening from The Hurt Locker. I noticed that the main way tension was built was through the camera shots that were used, only ever using close ups and long distanced shots. The use of this contrast gave a sense of unease.  

 Adam Cutler.