Research: Conventions of Film Openings

These conventions include:

• Leaves us asking questions about what will happen
• Shows us the title sequence
• The company identity and logo
• Title of the film
• An introducing to the main character 
• An introducing to the setting/location
• Communicates the genre to the audience

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban:

The company identity and logo: 

An introducing to the setting/location:

An introducing to the main character:

Communicates the genre to the audience:

Title of the film:

A Classic Opening:

• Wide shot city scape
• Wide shot building
• Meet characters
• Shot inside. 

Psycho (1960):

Wide shot city scape:

Wide shot building:

A window in the building:

Going into a room in the building:

Meet characters: