Film Opening Sequences and Trailers

Film trailer techniques:
Overview of plot
Has to grab the audiences’ attention, make them want to see more
Action clips – good bits
Shows the main actors
Shows who it was made by
Voice over explaining
Film details – release date
No giveaways!
Uses montage editing pieces from different sections fast paced editing, many shots
Persuades viewers to want and watch more

Film Opening:
Has got to hook the audience, for them to want to watch it until the end
Familiarises the viewer with setting, uses establishing shot
Slower paced than the trailer
Uses narrative
Titles
Narration
Establish a certain mood or tone
Creates an atmosphere
Has a soundtrack
Viewers need to feel curious/engaged and have questions they want answered to view more

Deadwood is an example of a successful film opening. It reveals to the viewers certain settings there are a few establishing shots for example the third screen shot which shows a desterted woodland area which would make the audience question what will happen there? Who is going to go there? All the titles are shown eg. character names, producers and editors also the film name 'Deadwood' A simple font it used which doesn't give away too many clues as to what will happen however it is in an old fashioned font suggesting it will won't be set in modern day. A cold, disturbing mood is set due to the dark and shadowy shots. The close ups will also make the viewers feel quite tense as the people and places cannot be seen, for example the sixth shot with the man at the door will cause the audience to wonder; who he is, what he is doing there and why he has opened the door. These questions building up will encourage the viewer to become hooked into the film wanting to watch more. The close up of the dripping blood will also engage a viewer as it is unknown where it is coming from and whether it is self inflicted harm or if someone has done it to another person. Due to there being no body parts shown viewers will wonder if the person is dead or not.