Opening Sequences

An opening sequence uses continuity editing that hides the cuts between shots, it introduces the audience to the setting the characters and the story. The purpose of an opening sequence is to intrigue the viewers, they'll have a bunch of questions which they will want answered and therefore want to continue watching till the very end. Montage editing is the opposite of continuity editing, it is typically used in trailers which shows pieces of films also used to intrigue viewers and advertise the film. 

Mad Max: Fury Road.

            

The opening sequence of Mad Max: Fury Road begins with the credits, the stars of the films are written in spooky writing immediately setting up the genre of the film, action thriller. It fades and then quickly emerges from black to see 'Tom Hardy' Mad Max standing in the distance. A voiceover then starts and he speaks about his past before he gets into his car and drives off. It then shows him being captured and tortured until he manages to escape. They capture him once more and the title of the film appears on the screen in big capital letters. Questions instantly swarm through the audiences brains: Why are they after him? What do they want with him? What are they going to do with him? This is an example of continuity editing which intrigues the viewers and sets up the scene, the characters and the basic plot.

The Mummy:

The opening title for The Mummy uses very stylish writing for the names of the actors, with the mysterious music in the background and the ancient artefacts in the background immediately shows the audience that the film is going to be about discovery and the genre is action adventure. It doesn't really tell the audience a lot about the film therefore intriguing them and wanting them to continue watching.

The Breakfast Club

           

The opening sequence of The Breakfast club continuously cuts between the characters introducing them into the storyline and to the audience. It shows that all the characters are here for the same reason however their reasons are unknown therefore making them want to continue watching in order to find the reasons out. It could be argued that it uses montage editing instead of continuous as it cuts to different parts of the school, the place of where the film is going to take place becomes familiar to the audience. The camera filming from either the front or the back shows the characters individually walk into the room and sit down, some of their personalities and traits are shown through the way they enter the room and behave when they see one another. The immediate questions that swim through the audience's brains should be on the lines of: Why are they there? What is going to happen to them? What is the dynamic of the group like etc. These questions should motivate them to continue watching the film and find out the answers.