More on Student Film Openings

Based on the research and analysis of student films in a previous post, I have conducted a list of what I personally thinks works well and doesn't work well in a film opening.

What works well:

• Using non-diegetic music or sound to help set the scene, such as in a horror piece.
• Keeping the storyline simple and well paced- not having too much happening at once to avoid making it look like a short piece.
• Using a variation of shots and angles to help keep a pace and offer different perspectives on a scene or characters.
• Having titles in the correct order and integrating them into the piece in a way that doesn't distract the audience's focus.
• Editing and cuts that flow with the piece, such as with a match on action that doesn't look choppy, in order to give the film a more professional, well-finished look.
• Using generic conventions through props, costume or other mise-en-scene factors to indicate the genre to the audience. With some genres this can be easier to do than with others, but overall mise-en-scene helps to set an atmosphere straight away without any necessary use of plot development or dialogue.

What doesn't work well:

• The film's main title being at the end. This can make the film opening look like a trailer or sometimes almost make it seem as if the piece is finished.
• Having the storyline be predictable- this can mean that the audience won't want to see the rest as they already know what is going to happen.
• Having a key event of the film start within the first two minutes, such as a character dying. This means that there is no chance for the audience to connect to characters or see them develop in their setting- being launched straight into an intense scene within the first two minutes can put the audience off.
• Having unsteady shots with a pan or tilt. This can easily be corrected with the use of a tripod or dolly and avoids giving a hand-held camera feel (if undesired).