Types of Film Openings

There are 4 Different types of film openings:

1. A narrative opening

A narrative opening is usually the opening of the story/beginning of the film. It's usually a scene from the movie that is pivotal in the storyline. The scene could also be a flashback or a flash-forward. A narrative opening may also introduce a character or the main character which may give clues about the storyline. A narrative opening is usually engaging and gets the audience guessing what is happening or going to happen. Like all openings a narrative opening has non-diagetic sound playing throughout.

This is the opening of "City of God". The scene in the  opening is actually a flash-forward. However, it is probably one of the most important scenes in the film. Also, In this opening scene you get to see a few of the main characters in the movie.

2. A discrete title sequence

A discrete title sequence is about 2 minutes long and has nothing to do with the narrative. A discrete title sequence involves a lot of editing as there are many fast cuts between different shots. Although there is usually nothing to do with the narrative, discrete title sequence gives a lot of clues about what the film could be about. These clues also keep the audience engaged and guessing.

In the opening of "Enemy of the state" there are loads of different scenes from a car chase, a robbery, a foot chase, a major arrest, a helicopter chase and many more. In these scenes there is absolutely no evidence at all of what the narrative is and there are no characters in the film seen.

3. Stylised edit

A stylised opening is effects based. There's usually a lot of special effects such as slow motion, fast motion, explosions, 3-D animation, etc. There's also usually no clue about the storyline and no narrative view point. 

In the film "Quantum of solace" stylised editing is used extremely well. The main focus point of the stylised edit is the way the bullet has been edited and the background scene. When the bullet is shot out the gun powder is also shown but slightly exaggerated. This is down to the slow motion effect. also, when the bullet is shot out the bullet is followed by the camera.

The whole background scene is artificial as it has been animated. Even bond himself is animated and isn't real. This gives off a surreal feeling of the movie.

The music is also key in a stylised editing opening as the moving picture has to be almost in sync with the sound.

4. Titles over a blank screen

Titles over a blank screen is the most simple, basic opening. It's simply title credits appearing over a blank screen in order. This type of opening is usually boring and doesn't really keep the audience engaged. the only thing that is lively about this type of opening is the non-diegetic sounds.

In the opening of the film "buried" the titles appear one after the other. Like discrete openings and stylised opening there is no clue whatsoever about the narrative and storyline.