What is the purpose of a film's opening sequence?

Essentially, the purpose of a film's opening sequence is to entice the audience to continue watching the film, this is done by a number of methods. Firstly, the opening sequence to a film always includes a establishing shot; to set the scene and inform the audience where the film is set. In Alfred Hitchcock's 'Psycho' (1960), the establishing shot is a series of crane and zooming long shots at a oblique angle of a american cityscape and finally ends on an eye level shot zooming into the window of a hotel. From this the audience is clearly shown that the film is set in a urban city setting, which immediately connotes mystery and the series of shots has a uneasy nature, making the audience feel uncomfortable and tense. The busy city setting also connotes the key theme's of film noir (it is set in busy industrial cities), which are crime, secrecy and deviance. 

Psycho

The Silence of the Lambs

A key purpose of a opening sequence is to introduce the characters of the film, specifically the protagonist. In Jonathan Demme's 'The silence of the lambs' (1991) the establishing shot is of the protagonist, Agent Starling's face, abruptly followed by a tracking shot of her in the centre third of the shot, running and completing a obstacle course; evidently training. This introduces her to audience, ensuring they are aware that she is the main character, hence her being in the establishing shot. The diegetic sound of the protagonist panting infers she is a hard worker, therefore the opening sequence is including subtle narrative behind this character. Including evident and hidden information about a character in the opening sequence is a simple yet effective way of immediately involving the audience and giving them a insight on the character's personality or life, ensuring the rest of the film makes sense.  

Pulp Fiction

Thirdly, the opening sequence to a film can also reinforce the genre of the film to the audience. For example in Quentin Tarantino's 'Pulp Fiction' (1994) the opening shot is a low angle still photograph of the two main characters aggressively pointing guns to a subject behind the character, the two characters look extremely angry and powerful, and the low angled shot contributes to this, making them look larger and therefore more powerful. The fact the two characters are holding and pointing guns, ready to shoot instantly tells the audience that the film is a crime thriller. Furthermore, anticipation is built as the audience are unsure of what will happen next, this establishing shot also introduces the key themes of the film which are violence and loyalty. 

The Sixth Sense-  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyCqv7ReKz4 

Prior to the opening scene, the opening sequence of The Sixth Sense, directed by M Night Shyamalan, includes approximately three minutes of opening credits. There is also a piece of music from the score, composed by James Newton Howard, this piece of music is evidently non-diegetic and builds in pace and pitch therefore increasing tension and intensity  the audience would feel as the sequence goes on. The fact that the opening credits last for the majority of the opening sequence creates tension and sets the atmosphere for the film as the audience don't know what's to expect due to the prolonged beginning of the opening scene. The opening scene consists of a establishing shot of a naked light bulb in a cellar slowly turning on and flickering to light, this light is diegetic and we are later shown that this is the key light in the shot. The shot then changes to one of the two protagonists wife climbing down the stairs and entering the murky cellar. She hastily looks and then reaches for a bottle of wine. While doing so she cautiously looks around the room, shivering and then frantically runs up the stairs. The eye-level shot of the dimly lit light bulb immediately reinforces the genre of the film to the audience; which is a supernatural thriller/horror. The light bulb looks similar to a orb; the spherical shapes of coloured light people always find in photo's, which are supposedly only found in photos taken in haunted places or places with the supernatural present. This is symbolic of the supernatural and the presence of ghosts. Secondly, it foreshadows the plot, while re-enforcing the genre; as there are supernatural forces throughout the film. Furthermore, it implies the exceptional ability of the protagonist, Cole Sear to see ghosts, while informing the audience that the only people who are aware of the supernatural in this film are Cole and the audience. This use of dramatic irony sustains the interest of the audience, it creates a contrast between the instant situation and what will follow, triggering curiosity amongst the audience. 'By allowing the reader and audience to know more things ahead of the characters, the irony puts the reader and audience superiorly above the characters and encourages them to hope, to fear, and anticipate the moment when the character would find out the truth behind the situations and events of the story'. (1)  


When the character of Anna Crowe has entered the cellar, the hard lighting casts harsh shadows of her body, which is positioned in a rigid, intimidated way, on the wall behind her. When she shivers, the mysterious atmosphere is implied and set for the rest of the film. Secondly, during the opening scene one of the themes is initiated; harsh lighting and cold temperature. The change in Anna's facial expression, from contentment to discomfort and hyper-vigilant reoccurs throughout the film for other characters.  

The character of Anna Crowe is evidently quite wealthy. She is wearing a long, elaborate dress similar to a ball gown. She is also well made up, with red lipstick, long earrings and styled hair. Anna's colourful, elegant dress and clear, porcelain complexion is prominent and opposes her jet-black,unlit shadow. This could be interpreted as foreshadowing her downfall that occurs later in the film, as a symbol of her 'ghost to be' .Our first introduction to this character, is her entering a large cellar, implying she has a large house. In addition, she is also choosing a bottle of wine, from a collection of bottles. These factors all highlight her wealth,and middle/upper class life and infer a wealthy setting. To conclude, the opening of The Sixth Sense establish the theme and genre of the supernatural, and the tense, frightening atmosphere of the film.



To conclude, the purpose of a films opening sequence is to introduce characters and narrative so the audience are informed of some 'background information' and can grasp an understanding of the characters personalities and lives. Another purpose is to introduce setting/location of the film, this is so the audience can grasp a wider understanding of the context of the film, for example. These elements help reinforce the genre and introduce themes of the film to the audience, to ultimately ensure the audience are enticed by the film and continue watching it. 

(1) http://typesofirony.com/dramatic-irony/