4 Different types of Film Openings

Title Sequences

When categorizing title sequences there are 3 types:

• Narrative title sequences

• Discrete title sequences

• Stylised title sequences

Narrative title sequences

Narrative title sequences is when the title sequence tells the begging of the story giving the audience a story immediately, usually using moving images. It can take the characters point of view, showing visual images of whats happening giving the audience an insight of the film. An example of a narrative title sequence is Se7en.

Discrete title sequences

Discrete title sequences is a bit more mysterious and secretive then a narrative title sequence. It also uses moving images but does not tell the audience much about the plot or narrative of the film. It isn't as clear at portraying the story. But it does set the tone, mood and atmosphere of the film so that audience can tell what genre the film is and gives slight clues and what the film might be about. Then later on during the film the audience will understand what the title sequence was about and its significance.  An example of a discrete title sequence is Psycho or Mission Impossible. 

Stylised title sequences

Stylised title sequence is a combination of different title sequences to your own effect. It can consist of a mixture of two different title sequences with the titles stylised to create a combined effect. This title sequence is the uniquest one but hard to incorporate with the film as it tends to become confusing.