The Differences between Mainstream and Independent Film Openings

Mainstream and Independent film opening sequences have some major differences between them.

Mainstream opening sequences tend to look really really good. They give this sense of a way from normal life into a fantasy world and make them seem really fantastic and amazing whereas Independent films on the other hand try to be as realistic as possible and are very creative and try to relate to the audience through the events or characters in the opening sequence.

Mainstream



For the example of a mainstream film opening I chose 'Snatch'. I feel that this a good example because it uses high quality props, actors, clothing and it is generally just a really really well thought out opoening scene. It is clever with te titles and transitions betwwen the scenes because when the man puts his diamond into the safe it cuts to another scene and another man takes some cash of another safe from the other side which is really well doen as it seems really realistic. The non-diegetic song adds effect to the scenes as well. Also the titles are well positioned and I think they are easy to read. The camera movement is excellent and you tend to see really good camera movement in a mainstream film.

Independent
 


This is the opening sequence to "This is England". The opening sequence uses different clips that the producers didn't film but were in the media. The clips are fairly grainy and give the look of an independent film and the non- diegetic music that is played has a realistic feel to it. The clips go along nicely with the opening sequence and when watching doesn't look like a Hollywood film but looks independent which is good.