Opening Scenes

 A film opening is the first scene that you see at the beginning of a film. It establishes the main characters, the genre, the plot, and basically everything the audience needs to know about the movie. 

The opening scene should immediately hook the audience!

One way to hook the audience is to start with a BANG!

There are 6 different techniques used in opening scenes:

• Technique 1 - enter the villain - this technique is commonly used in action movies such as "The Dark Knight"

• Technique 2 - enter the hero - this techniques introduces main characters and key plot points. While making sure the audience is still along for the ride. 

• Technique 3 - establish relationships - this is commonly used in dramas

• Technique 4 - plot catalyst this introduces the main characters

• Technique 5 - Follow genre - used in establishing tone and introduces main characters

• Technique 6 - flip genre - common techniques: flashback, flash-forward, bookends, red herrings, McGuffins. 

Types of Opening scenes - 

• Prologue

• Prologue with a voice over 

• Prologue without a voice over 

• Inciting incident 

• Day in the life 

• Exciting 

• Uneventful

• Cold open 

• Flash forward