Possible conventions found in opening sequences

Regardless of the genre of a movie, there are many conventions found in opening sequences to help establish the genre and help to set up audience expectations. Examples of these conventions include:

• Narrative- how the story is told
• Setting- the main part of this is the mise-en-scene which sets up a scene and includes how it is staged and arranged
• Visual codes - where the shot is taken, how close to the face, angles, lighting
• Audio codes - includes music and sound effects

Once these conventions can be established it is then clear to be able to find out the genre.