Research: What Makes and Effective Opening to a film?

There need to be two approaches, the micro and the macro. Macro features are elements such as genre features like iconography (knives, masks, in a horror film), characters (protagonists/antagonists), setting, themes and narrative features. In terms of narrative films often start in a state of equilibrium which is disrupted by an event or antagonist. The protagonist will try to rectify this by restoring the harmony of the film. The story can be told in a linear or diachronic style or flashbacks which may be out of sequence

There also needs to be a hook in the opening sequence. This is something that keeps the audience interested. For example the film maker may not reveal the antagonist or set up a disastrous event that the audience may want to see resolved

The micro aspects are the technical aspects such as editing, lighting, sound etc... These need to be eye catching and memorable. Different types of camera angles can give a sense of danger of the antagonist by using low angles to show threat and menace.

I have looked at two general examples of effective film openings and two examples of genre specific film openings in the horror genre. In the case of both I have looked at what was effective in both.