RESEARCH: Structure of film openings

Film openings are structured in 3 basic ways:

• Narrative Openings: This is when the first part of the film is seen with titles either superimposed (when the title is laid on top of the film setting) or inter-cut.
• Discrete title sequence: This is when shots/images/scenes stand apart from the film with titles. May contain elements from the film (which are indicators to the plot) but not part of the narrative. 
• Stand alone titles: This is when the title sequence entirely is made up of titles (usually on black backgrounds) which then leads into the film. 

NARRATIVE OPENINGS: Panic Room

This opening shows the location of the film straight away and the titles are super imposed- on top of the buildings.

DISCRETE TITLE SEQUENCE: Seven

This opening contains short scenes from the actual film- the book, writing, images, cutting, sticking, blood etc. The titles are in the background- inter-cut and superimposed. 

STAND ALONE TITLES: Psycho

This opening has the titles on a black background and also it is a very short title sequence.