Evaluating past film openings

By evaluating past film openings, we were able to see common mistakes students make such as showing the title of the film at the end of the opening. By establishing these mistakes, we can ensure that we do not make the same mistakes when producing our openings. It also allowed us to see what makes a successful film opening, and what to avoid when producing our openings.

This opening is from the Sidney Stringer Academy and is called Retribution


The common mistake made in this opening is that the main title is shown at the end of the opening. This mistake is made by a lot of students when producing their openings and we need to ensure that we do not make the same mistake. However,the rest of the titles are shown in the order that film openings follow  The titles are also made to stand out as they are white on a black background. The black background holds connotations of death while the white writing connote the innocence of the victim.

There is good use of non-diegetic sound withing  this opening. The music helps to create the sinister and tense atmosphere felt within the opening. It is also appropriate of the apparent genre of horror. However, there is a lack of diegetic sound. When it is used it is a gasp towards the end of the clip. This could have been effective however sounds fake and is very loud compared to the rest of the film opening.

It is clear that Mise-En-Scene has been considered when the students produced this opening. the use of low key lighting contributes to the sinister and tense atmosphere and also connotes that something bad is going to happen. Also, the girl is wearing a white shit connoting that she is innocent. The location of this extract is unknown which is effective as the public will not know where the girl is being held. However, it is possible to infer that she is in a basement of some sort which is a common setting in horror films.

The use of camera angles has also clearly been considered when the students produced this opening. At the beginning of the opening, the camera is made to act as a mirror. This connotes that the girl was going about her every day life when she got kidnapped. There is also a high angled shot used when the girl is tied up connoting her venerability and that she is weak. A tracking shot is also used when the girl is walking.

In this opening, the use of editing is average. The 180 degree rule is used throughout, but there is not a lot of continuity. Although, it is clear what the film opening and film is about. Many sharp cuts are used which helps to make the opening fast paced. This pace will be echoed throughout the film. The fact that the sharps are cut are also relevant to the genre as they are quick and violent like the antagonist in most horror films.

The narrative in this opening is open as it does not say why the girl was taken or what is now going to happen to her. However, a lot of the plot is revealed within this opening and therefore it acts more as a trailer.

Overall, this film opening is good. The use of camera angles and  were mise clearly considered and effective. Also the idea behind the titles was good although the main title was presented at the end making the opening more like a trailer. Also, the use of non-diegetic sounds was good, although the use of diegetic sound could have been used better.


This opening is from Chelmer Valley High School and is called Field Trip.


It is clear from the opening shot that this opening is for a horror film. The low key lighting and lack of non-diegetic sound connotes this. Also, dead bodies later revealed later in the opening and a mysterious figure connotes the genre of horror.

However, editing in this opening is poor. The 180 degree rule is broken. It is essential that the 180 degree rule is used and considered at all times so that the audience are not confused as to where they are viewing the film from. The opening also lacks continuity is some places.

The use of Mise-En-Scene is good in this opening. The low key lighting helps connotes a negative, sinister atmosphere which is appropriate to the genre. The negative connotations it holds further connotes that something bad is going to happen. Also, the character (victim) seen in this opening is wearing a white hoodie, the white connoting his innocence.

Although the narrative is open, it reveal more of the plot then it should as already within two minutes of the film, three people have been killed off.

There appears to be a consideration in the camera angles used. There are lots of establishing shots to show that the protagonist is isolated that that no help will be near by. It also reveals the dead bodies. There are also lots of high angled shots on the protagonist, connoting his venerability. However, the camera movement is very shaky and it is not clear if it is intentional or not and if they meant for the camera to be hand held. This makes the opening to look less professional.

Like the above film opening, the titles are in the correct order bar the main title which is at the end. This makes the opening look more like a trailer. The titles are written in white, connoting the protagonists innocence. However, the font was not suited to the horror genre.

There is not a lot of sound used in this opening, which is effective because it adds to the earry atmosphere and also enforces the fact that the protagonist is isolated. However, there is some faint non-diegetic sound introduce later in the opening which also contributed to the tense and eeary atmosphere. The use of diegetic dialogue is good as it helps show the desperation of the protagonist and also highlites the fact that he is alone.

Overall, this film opening looked unprofessional. This was mainly due to the hand held camera and poor editing. Also there could have been a better use of sound. However, the genre was clearly established and it was clear the mise and camera angles had been considered.


This Opening is from IIkley Grammar School and is called No Chance



Other than the main title being shown at the end of the opening, the titles are all in the correct order. It is also clear that they took the titles into consideration when editing their film as they are shown on everyday objects such as a piece of paper and the fridge. This is effective as it adds to the light hearted atmosphere that is created within this opening and that will be echoed throughout the film.

The genre romance and comedy is also clearly established within this opening. The non-diegetic music that is played is a love song, connoting the genre of romance. Also, competition is seen for a girl, further connoting the genre of romance. Comedy is suggested when the male protagonist is pushed against the loccas but still has a smile on his face.

The use of mise in this opening helps to show that the problems seen in this film is a typical teenage dilemma. This is connoted through the use of every day clothing and setting. The lighting is also natural and high key, connoting a happy, light hearted atmosphere which will be echoed throughout the film.

There is a good use of clear cross cutting to show the two main characters in this film and how their stories link together. The 180 degree rule is also kept throughout the opening as well as continuity.

Like most film openings, the narrative is open as it does not explain any of the plot, but sets the scene, introduces the main characters and give the audience an insight as to what the film may be about and what genre it is.

Overall, this is a good film opening as it meets the criteria of what a film opening should do-set the scene, introduce main characters and inform the audience as to what the film may be about. There is also a good use of editing and sound. However, they could have considered the use of mise more and not many camera angles were used.


This opening is also from IGS Media and is called Love in Lost and War



The producers of this opening have considered their use of titles. They have all of the titles in the correct order, and the writing is authentic and helps establish that the film is set in a different time period by telling the audience of the year. Also, the black background the titles are on holds connotations of death, connoting that there may be death involved in this film.

The main title of the film shows that the film is a romance. This is later enhanced when the female protagonist gets the letter informing her that her husband has died.

There is a good use of sound within this opening. The classical non-diegetic music is not modern, and therefore connotes that the film is going to be set in an earlier period. It is also slow, creating a sad atmosphere connoting that this is not going to be a stereotypical love story. The use of diegetic dialogue is useful as it explain to the audience what has happened as it reads the letter, further enhancing the connotations that this is not going to be a stereotypical love story, but enhance the difficulties and losses people felt during the time of the war.

Continuity is kept through out this opening, making it easier for the audience to understand. Also fade to black transitions are used to show that time has passed. This connotes that she has been waiting a long time for her husband to return.

It is also evident that camera angles have been considered when this opening was being produced. A high angle shot is used on the woman when she is sitting on the blanket. This connotes that she is vunerable and weak alone. Also, an establishing shot is used when she is sitting on  the blanket to show the audience that she is alone. In addition, a close up is used when the letter is being handed to the protagonist. This connotes that it is important and its significance with in the film.

Although there is a lot revealed within this opening, the narrative is open. This is because it is not clear what the film is going to show. It is possible that a flashback is used to show the couples life together. It is also possible that it could tell the female protagonists story after the death of her husband.

Overall, this is a good film opening. This is because all of the titles are in the correct order and the use of mise and sound make the opening look form the time of the war. Also editing is this peice is good and it is clear camera angles have been considered. However, a lot is revealed within this opening. This is both a positive and a negative because not alot of information about the film should be revealed with in a film opening, however, it is not clear what the main plot of the film is going to be about.



This opening is from Chelmer Valley High School and is called Solitude


The white titles in this opening connote the innocence of some of the characters, however flash too quickly and do not reflect the pace of the opening. The main film title is clear, and helps show that the film is a horror due to the black background holding connotations of death, and the red text connoting blood and danger.

It is evident the producers of this opening considered both diegetic and non diegetic sound. The slow sinister music helped to create the eerie atmosphere which fits with conventions of a horror film and also reflected the pace of the editing. The diegetic sound helped to show isolation, and highlighted the key moment of the man going into the house alone which is set up to look dangerous. This is a plot line commonly seen in horror films.

The slow paced editing is effective because, aided with the open narrative, it invites the audience to ask  questions. However, there is a continuity error with the windscreen wipers, so editing is not as good as it could be.

The use of long shots helps to show the isolation of the main protagonist, and the first shot is powerful because you immediately see the main focus of the opening. The high angle shot used to show the arm of an assumed dead person and baseball bat connotes the vulnerability the person was feeling when they were alive, and how the main protagonist will be later in the film.

Overall, this is a good opening  because it follows the conventions of a horror film, the narrative is open, there is a good use of sound and the titles are in the correct order. However, a wider use of camera angles could have been used and continuity kept. Also, the titles should have been slower to benefit the audience.


Looking at these past film opening has helped show me what is effective and what is not. A horror genre does not appear to be a good genre for our opening as it seems hard to make realistic. Also, it would be very easy to create a cliche opening that may not look as professional. From this, it is clear that we need to consider our resources to make our film realistic. However, a psychological thriller may be a good genre to look at. This is because we will need minimal actors which will be helpful in terms of timing. Also, we will be able to select an average actor which will open up the possible actors, as not much of them will need to be seen. Not only does this make the task slightly easier for us with concerns of time, but also for our actor who will not be under a lot of pressure to learn lots of lines. It is important to consider the ability of the actor in our film opening in order for it to look realistic and professional. We will also be able to use a wide range of camera shots, without following the general trend of student films, making ours unique. Another effective genre could be social realism. We would be able to relate to the plot more, allowing us to be more creative and have a better understanding when we need to meet the needs of Mise. However, we would need to be careful that we do not show too much of the plot with in the opening.