Analysis of 2 Film Opening Sequences - Introduction

So, what makes a good opening sequence?
There are many different things that a title sequence must have to ensure it's quality, and since I'm creating my own sequence, this research would be very useful to me. Below is a list 7 key points to consider:

Cinematography
A mixture of interesting shots must be used to capture the audience's attention.

Narrative
The opening must have an enigma(s) or a mystery attached to ensure the audience will want to watch on.

Sound
Dialogue, music and sound effects can all be used to set a certain atmosphere and interest the audience.

Characters
The main character(s) in the film must be interesting and well set-up in the opening. The audience must be able to relate to them and establish a relationship with them.

Mise-en-scene
This includes the location, props, costumes, performance ad lighting. They must all be carefully thought out to create the right impression and atmosphere

Editing
The pace, rhythm, transitions, titles and special effects must also be carefully planned to introduce the film well and keep the audience's attention.

Genre
The opening must include the correct characteristics that meet its genre e.g. a noir opening would include shadows, darkness, dodgy characters etc. to ensure the audience know what they're watching.


The opening sequence to a film is always important because it is where the film is introduced to the audience. Rather like an introduction to a book or novel, it sets out the story briefly (within the first 5 minutes) and, in the case of noir films, usually contains a set of enigmas. Examples of classic film noir opening sequences include The Maltese Falcon, Laura and Touch of Evil. Examples of contemporary film noir opening sequences include Fargo, Blue Velvet and Blade Runner. The use of lighting, costumes, camera shots and sizes, location and sound add to the effect the opening has on the audience. The way characters are represented, who the film is made for, the narrative, and genre of the story all contribute in their own ways to how the opening sequence is interpreted by the audience. If the director wants the viewer to feel less powerful than the subject on-screen, they will use low-angled camera positions to accomplish this task.

For this task, I am going to analyse the opening sequences of two films. One of them is a noir film - Fargo. The other film I have chosen from my collection of DVDs is The Driver.