One of the first things that we looked at was what an opening sequence actually entails.
While there are so many varieties of opening sequences with different genres and techniques, by analysing the three different opening sequences we looked at in class we can begin to see what opening sequences include. To see how that the opening sequence sets the style within the first few minutes.
I will briefly discuss the style and my opinions of the openings sequences to the films:
Office Space, Trainspotting and Sweeney Todd.
Office Space, Trainspotting and Sweeney Todd.
Most Films start with the production company which all films show before their opening sequence some film makers make these more interesting and play around with them.
For example 20th Century Fox edited made their one more interesting and unique at the start of The Simpsons Movie by having one of the Simpons characters stand inside of the '0' of the '20' and sing the tune of the production company.
Another Example is the one from Dream Works from the Shrek film where they use green font and give the letter 'S' ears like the iconic character Shrek.
Office Space:
Office Space's opening sequence is very standard and conventional compared to many other films. Some films throw you straight into the action. Office Space starts with the production company which all films show before their opening sequence. After the production company has been revealed follows the very beginning of the film. The first hint to the film and its style and genre is through the text used. They use a funky fun text. This font continues into the credits through out the start of the film. This font reveals to us that the film is an upbeat film, a comedy. This goes in hand with the music used within the opening scene. The music is upbeat and cheery suggesting to the audience that the film is going to be easy going with a few laughs. Office Space uses a variety of shots that set the scene that adds interest within a very simplistic opening. It also introduces the characters and shows the different personalities within the first few minutes.
It doesn't include dialogue but shows the characters through body language.
I really liked this opening scene because it was easy going and simple.
Trainspotting:
Trainspotting's opening sequence uses the technique of Voice over. This is a very effective way of revealing a back story to the characters within the first few opening minutes. The opening scene uses the freeze frame technique where the characters are frozen in a pose alongside their character name.
I found this a really effective technique as its a different take on introducing characters. It started off very fast and upbeat compared to Office space that was quite layed back and calm. I really liked the choice of music used with the opening. I think it really suited its fast upbeat style. The opening sequence also uses a Action Match cut which has to edited correctly to have a smooth transition, this shows that the film has had alot of time and effort put into the making and editing. 
Sweeney Todd:
Sweeney Todd starts with its Production company of warner bros - Pictures with the start of the soundtrack playing in the background which leads into Dreamworks. The opening sequence is different from the other two films. This opening sequence is a Title sequence meaning that there is no characters present within this opening sequence but just a technique used to make the opening credits more interesting for the viewer for this Title sequence it gives clues to the storyline of the film from the original tale, Todd the demon barber who dispatches his victims by pulling a lever while they are in his barber chair, which makes them fall backward down a revolving trapdoor into the basement of his shop. After Todd has robbed his victims of their goods, Mrs Lovett, his partner in crime assists him in disposing of the bodies by baking them into meat pies, and selling them to the unsuspecting customers of her pie shop. The opening is very clever the way that it sets the scene with eerie music from the start alongside simple white font. The sound effects go hand in hand with the Title sequence setting the scene with the dark lighting and the use of blood throughout. The running blood takes you on a short journey with rats, blood, fire, and meatpies.
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