Discuss how a director engages an audience in the opening sequence of a film using technical

codes. You should discuss:

For me, the opening scene is undoubtedly the most important scene, as a
good opening should include genre signifiers setting the tone for the film,
interesting or engaging introductions to characters assessing their values,
some form of incite into the narrative structure while also encoding a variety
of messages including enigma codes drawing the audience into the narrative
of the film.
Directors following auteury theory aim to be the reason behind the success of
the film and therefore not only the story line but the camera shots, angles,
lighting and sound all add to the cinematic experience. I believe the most
engaging way to start a film is disequilibrium, going against Todrovs narrative
structure in supplying the audience with a difference which excites and
disorientates viewers in Steve Neals theory of similarities and differences
which interests and engages audiences rather than boring them with the
generic structure of a genre. By throwing the
audience straight into the action, which is the
case with some genres, or disruption of some
sort, a break up or scientific breakthrough, in
other genres the audience immediately feel
they cant escape the diegetic world of the film
and they are engrossed in the gratifications
offered by each genre. This decisions to change
the narrative structure is the directors and is seen in Sky fall where
immediately James Bond is thrown into the action with iconographic like guns,
dead bodys and fast cars used to signify action. This often offers an
adrenaline rush and therefore engages the audience into the film.
The technical codes used are often varied between objective and subjective
shots to draw in and keep the audience interested. The use of objective shots
gives an overview of what is taking place, adding an
element of safety however a sudden change to
subjective shots can involve the audience into the
thrills while making the situation feel personal as if
the audience are there. This is a clever technical
code used to make the audience feel secure and
knowledgeable on what is happening looking in, but
the change to subjective shots creates a relationship
with viewers and the film engaging them in to the
diegetic. Canted shots are also used to disorientate however adds an enigma
code which is a key reason why demographics
engage into a film, to find out what will happen
next this was used in Batman The Dark Knight.
This was the case with Star wars the force
awakens, directed by the famous J.J. Abrahams,
which was one of the highest box office profiting
films ever. The camera angles and shot types
changing between objective, subjective, close
up, long shot were all key in encoding messages and engaging the audience
into the narrative and characters.
Furthermore the use of cinematography, lighting and sound, is just as, if not
more important in creating mood and meaning than the narrative itself. The

lighting can focus objects or characters emphasizing importance or it could

just be dim gloomy light to add a dull somber feel to a room potentially acting
as genre signifiers encoding messages, on the other hand bright, lively
lighting could engage the audience into a film often
I romance or comedy genre. The lighting used is
always taken into account yet subconsciously,
when used correctly it can enhance the narrative in
the opening scene or add meaning engaging the
audience into the scene. Furthermore the sounds,
both diegetic and non-diegetic are
important in conveying themes
and
codes. This was clear in Shaun of
the
dead opening scene where the sound iconographies of
sirens, car alarms, barking dogs all signified selfconsciously to the audience there is some disruption and
mayhem even if the film wasnt being watched. This
shows the
importance of sound as it can signify the genre
through the dialogue and diegetic sound. This
could also possibly engage the audience through enigma codes as often the
dialogue may hint towards some kind of new discovery or a relationship.
Therefore despite only being noticed self-consciously the sound and lighting
used in the opening scenes of films can convey multiple messages drawing
multiple demographics in.
Symbolic codes are more discrete however can help add to a film intro in
multiple ways. It makes the audience consider the situation, further engaging
them into the film. But also symbolic codes help foreshadow while acting as
mysterys to what they might mean and be in the
future furthered intriguing the audience into the
film. An example of a symbolic code in a film
opening is the small bag handed over in Star wars
the Force Awakens. This has meaning in the
future but leaves the audience wondering its
importance and if this is a symbol of trust or
departure.
In conclusion I believe films are most effective in drawing the audience into
the action by starting the film in disequilibrium. However with technical codes
subjective shots are key to engaging and relating the audience in with the
film and I believe these are the most important technical codes in captivating
the target audience into the film however sound and lighting does play a key
role increasing mood and without it a film would lack authenticity and
realism. Symbolic codes in the mise en scene despite for me not being the
most important element of the film opening it could act as an enigma code
and makes the audience think therefore drawing them into the action
cleverly, therefore they are a good addition to the opening scene of a film. I
believe a great example of an opening scene Is star wars (2015) as it
combines all the elements I have spoke about creating enigmas, codes,
conventions and mood with a variety of genre signifiers all included adding to
the cinematic experience engaging the audience into the film right from the
start.