How can a film opening attract an audience

'Watching' Documentary Response

In a film opening you need to be able to catch the audiences attention you must intrigue them instantly or as soon as possible. Thomas Sutcliffe believes that a movie needs to seduce their audience into a long term commitment, while there are any types of seduction the temptation to go for instant arousal is almost irresistible. Furthermore a good beginning to a film must make the audience feel that they do not have enough knowledge about the film yet and that will draw them in even more. This means that to keep the audience hooked with out giving away too much of the films story line, you must get them gripped of a small taster of the film.

A favourite trick of film Noir is when a film starts with an ending.

The opening of the film 'The Shinning' staring Jack Nicholson creates suspense as you think that its just a picturesque setting but the camera follows the car showing that they are not safe and that they are probably going into  danger as they are driving into shadows.