Research Into Opening Sequences

We have been researching opening sequences in media studies, we did this by completing a detailed textual analysis for each TV drama and film opening sequence we looked at. This helped us to practice essay writing and also allowed us to get familiar with the style of writing we were comfortable with. The textual analysis we completed for each TV drama and film opening sequence identified a opening sequences main features:
-Characterisation
-Setting
-Mise en scene
-Ideology
-Music
-Soundtrack
-Lighting
-Camera shots
-Genre
-Representation

These features combined together make a opening sequence hugely effective, they allow the audience to experience suspense and help the audience to take interest in the rest of the film.

Here is a example of a textual analysis I completed for The usual suspects:

Analyse the effectiveness of the opening sequence of ‘The usual suspects’ (1995)

The opening scene of ‘The usual suspects’ is set on a boat in the middle of the night. This is clear to the audience because of the use of close-ups on different parts of the boat. The dark setting adds a sense of mystery and also shows the secretiveness of the characters. The lighting on the boat is dull with the fire helping to dimly light it, this adds eeriness and suspense as the audience are aware that anything can happen in the dark. The fire is what stands out to the audience the most, because of its bright colours, and because it appears to be the only sense of light and brightness in the opening scene. The fire emphasises danger and uneasiness, and helps the audience to conclude that the scene isn’t going to end well. By using close ups on the fire and the oil the audience can immediately see that these are key factors in the scene and again danger is represented.
The opening sequence introduces the audience to two different characters the protagonist and the antagonist. The killers identity is hidden throughout the scene as the audience never get to see his face but his gender is confirmed when we hear him speak. By using a long shot, the audience see that the killer is fully dressed in black, and is wearing a long heavy coat and a hat that helps to cover his face. This emphasises his secretiveness and fits in with the dark setting by also adding mystery and curiosity. This contrasts with the other character in the scene, who is also dressed in what appears to be a heavy coat and dark clothes, but instead his identity is confirmed when the audience hear the killer say his name ‘Keaton’. Also by using close ups on his face and effective lighting the audience get a clear picture of what he looks like and of who he is. It is clear that both characters are careless when they are seen smoking even though they are aware that there is oil surrounding them. The audience see a juxtaposition between the killers carelessness and carefulness, his carelessness is shown to the audience when he drops his cigarette knowing that the boat is going to go up in flames, and his carefulness is shown when the audience hear that he has used two shots to kill Keaton, which shows he is being careful in making sure that he has defiantly killed him.


The scene opens with the diegetic sounds of oil dripping, fire flames and matches being lit, this along with costume and setting adds a sense of danger to the film, because of the tragic outcome these things could bring if they are put together. Sound is one of the most important things in the scene, as it helps to add tension and anticipation, this is shown throughout the scene such as when the non-diegetic low pitched background music is heard. The background music quickly changes after the gun shots have been made, from a low pitched music, to a dramatic high pitched music, this adds more tension and also confirms that Keaton has been killed. The sound of the killers heavy footsteps and the loud gunshots help the audience to understand the crime genre of the film and also add uneasiness to the scene.


Towards the end of the scene all of these elements come together, which helps to make the scene hugely dramatic. The audience see the killer trying to escape from the boat, but his identity is still a mystery, he is head to toe in black and looks shadow like which helps to give the audience an uncomfortable feeling about him. The whole boat lights up when there is the explosion of the fire, the high pitched music fits in perfectly, and creates a hugely dramatic effect on the audience, leaving them shocked and surprised about what has just happened. This is an example of how effective the scene is, the effectiveness is made by making sure things such as the costume, music and lighting fit together which help to create tension, anticipation and mystery, without these fitting together, the scene would be extremely boring and less effective.