Differences between film openings and trailers

Trailer

• Shows most exciting parts of the film
• Shows off big stunts
• aim is to get the audience excited -create tension
• Doesn't give the plotline away (if it's a good one), yet gives you theh general gist
• often have cliffhangers
• progression of time and narrative
• Information (release date etc)
• institution logos
• Tag line
• Title of film at the END

Opening

• Titles (cast, crew etc)
• sets the scene
• Introduces key characters
• Film title at the very BEGINNING
• Implications of:
• Place
• historical period (timeframe)
• mood
• tone
• theme tune
• Genre
• poses questions that the viewer will find intriguing and try to answer as they watch the film
• patterns of editing, mise etc which will be echoed throughout the film

This will help me as it highlights the key things that differentiate a film opening (which I will be creating), and a film trailer. This should prevent me from making my film opening look more like a trailer and help point me in the right direction for what I should and shouldn't be including.