Structure of openings

The structure openings are: 

• Discrete title sequence
• Narrative opening with titles running throughout
• Title over a blank screen followed by the narrative opening
• Stylized editing

1. Discrete title sequences are heavily edited sequences; they support nearly all of the opening credits and film title. Discrete title sequence opens with questionable images which makes the audience wonder what the film is all about and thus makes them more intrigued. This is used in the film Arlington Road, which opens straightaway with ominous music and some sort of chanting followed by distorted and creepy images followed by a discrete shot of the films name 'Arlington' on a signpost (signifying Arlington Road) As the title is fading the sound of the distorted chanting and music speeds up to quite a fast pace until it ultimately stops and the film has started. 

2. Narrative opening with titles running throughout (e.g Traditional title sequence) opens with a high wide shot to show the scenery and give us a sense of location, this enables the audience to feel as if they are actually there in the film. This is used in the film Enemy of the State, it opens with a wide medium shot of a building from a high angle shot (birds eye view/aerial shot) consequently this makes it feel as though you are high up looking down on the building. The camera tracks what the audience would think are the main characters but is actually just surveillance footage; which gives it a predatory stalkerish sense as you watch what the civilians get up to CCTV style. Credits roll onto the screen in a white computer-esque font. 

3. Titles over a blank screen followed by narrative opening opens with a plain coloured screen (which is normally black with white credits), this then fades to either show the location or a character. This is used in the film Donnie Darko, in which the white credits roll onto a black screen that then fades out to show daylight and the beginning of the film. There is the sound of thunder accompanying each credit coming onto the screen as the credits end so does the sound of thunder which is replaced by the sounds of birds twittering; bringing us into the first scene which is early daylight and the main character Donnie Darko asleep on the road.

4. Stylized editing title sequence opens with either of the first two but has a lot of editing; this is shown very obviously. This is used in the film The Taking Of Pelham 123, it opens with a cross dissolve from the production logo into the location which helps the viewer imagine where the first shot is taking place. There is a black graphic stripe which moves across the screen and time lapse is used. The credits move throughout the opening to the side slowly and then disappear of the screen as if wiped off. The music is very uptempo; a fast paced action type song plays which builds momentum to what may happen next.