Conventions of Film Openings

From a film opening we are able to identify the conventions such as:

• The film Title which is usually introduced after the Credits, and the production logo/ distributor
• Genre is established this is done through the use of music and Mise En Scene, this should hook its target audience by establishing the narrative
• Locations and main characters are usually introduced

'The Kingdom' 

As usual the very beginning of this film opening consists of the production Logo to introduce the main distributor, Universal.  There is also another media distributor for this film which suggests they are in association with universal.

Generally in the opening of a film, the title is introduced , in this case the transition appeared unexpectedly and at an extremely fast pace to demonstrate the action thriller genre.

In this opening the credits are shown individually and placed upon an wide establishing shot, meaning that the actor (jamie fox) will be in this type of scenery and this is where most of his action will take place, or in this case it is showing the history of what is to be expected in the film. 

This shot demonstrates the target audience because it involves the wordings involve current economic issues in our world which suggests that this film focuses on those who are intelligent enough to understand the history and problems with 'oil' and the role that America plays in it. 

This Image cleary has a history and enables the audience to be reminded about terrorism, which demonstrates what the film is going to be about. this image in particular focuses on on the 9/11 bombings in America. 

On the other hand, with this shot, we are reminded about terrorism and violence particularly those country's which are stereotyped as being terrorists. This opening automatically forces stereotypes and  how the film is going to be carried out as.

 From the opening we can tell there involves a lot of history which is kept on as a type of grudge which is conveyed the narrative voice throughout the opening because it is clear that an american is speaking and through the choice of words we can understand that film will be based upon the Americans triumph over the war about 'oil' between Saudi Arabia


Click to watch the Film Opening of 'The Kingdom'