Opening Sequences

Questions:
i) What forms can opening sequences take? Can you list the conventional features of opening sequences?
- Introduction of a character- the protagonist or antagonist
- Establishing shot of the setting
- Opening credits – producers, directors, leading actors

ii) What narrative functions of opening sequences can you identify?
- Introduces the main character
- Introduces a setting and situation
- Establishes an equilibrium
- Hints the disruption of the equilibrium
- presents a problem that will need to be solved throughout the rest of the film

iii)What do audiences gain from watching the opening sequence?
- introduction to the film’s characters and the story that may develop
- connection with the characters
- idea of a genre and therefore an idea of what may happen in the rest of the film
- find out whether or not they will want to watch the rest of the film
- there may be questions raised in the opening sequence that the audience will want answered, to do so they will watch the rest of the film

iv) What do film-makers gain from including an opening sequence?
- set up the foundation for the rest of the storyline to develop
- capture the audience’s attention and make them want to watch the rest of the film
- needed to put the rest of the film in a context so that people will understand the significance of what happens

Barthes analysis of the opening sequence of ‘Peeping Tom’

We used Barthes theory of codes to analyse the first 4.5 minutes of ‘Peeping Tom’ which was directed by Michael Powell in 1960.




1) Action code: depicts the events which take place in the narrative
- The man approaches the lady
- They walk into an alleyway and into her room where she begins to undress
- He goes closer with his camera and she starts screaming
- We see him watching his film back as the opening credits come up
2) Enigma code: setting up of the mystery, development and resolutionAs the start of the opening sequence is shot from the POV of the killer, his identity is kept secret. He doesn’t speak or react to the woman or any other characters that pass by him. Also as he follows the woman down the alleyway at night time it is quite dark which is mysterious and can signify danger.

3) Semantic code: refers to character and characterisation
The man’s identity is kept secret all the way through the opening sequence. We don’t know what he looks like as the camera is his POV.
We find out more information about the woman- she is a middle aged a prostitute, the way she is dressed – red skirt and lipstick, she also speaks although the main character doesn’t respond.

4) Referential code: explaining / informing
- The opening credits
- Reference to prostitution in ancient Britain

5) Symbolic code: connotations of signs
- Red skirt and lipstick = blood, murder
- ECU of the eye which jumps open = watching/ peeping, thriller
- Dark, night time, alleyway = danger/ enigma

Levi-Strauss’s analyses of the openings of "Pale Rider" and "Die Hard"

Levi Strauss looked at narrative structure in terms of binary oppositions which are sets of opposite values which reveal the structure of media texts, e.g. good and evil.

Pale Rider (Clint Eastwood, 1985)
Quiet village vs. Loud horse riders
Survival vs. Death
Peace vs. Violence
Water vs. Fire
Femininity vs. Masculinity
Young vs. Old
Die Hard (John McTiernan, 1988)Happiness vs. Sadness
Innocence vs. Evil
Safety vs. Danger
New York vs. LA
Japan vs. America
Togetherness vs. Apart
Victims vs. Villains
Prepared (villains) vs. Unprepared (victims)
Life vs. Death
Law vs. Criminals
Defenceless vs. Attackers
Work life vs. Home life
Violence vs. Non violence
Experienced (Bruce Willis) vs. Novice (driver)
Underground vs. Overground (in the building)