There are many ways to open your script. I remember the opening of Lethal Weapon 4… Pow! that’s how it opened - an action scene. No credits, no pan of a city. just black screen and POW! I found it very effective…
but if YOU had to select 1 of these 3 ways to open a movie you’re writing or just completed, which would /did you choose? And why?
1. introduce the genre/world
2. start with a main character scene
3. start with tone, foreshadowing
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Good question Fran Harris! I'd say #2! Let's get to know our protagonist right off the bat!
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I'm rewriting a Comedy script that has a #1 opening, Fran Harris. I need to introduce the world and genre for the script to work.
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The first scene is the one who catches our attention or not! It’s crucial when I am watching films or shows. It’s when my mind say: I stay or I go! In my feature screenplay I began with #1 Spiritual Realm world versus Earth Realm world with main characters in action. I wanted to start like this to let the viewers understand the booth worlds and challenges. If it was a TV show, my option would be #2.
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In the rom com that I’m hoping to produce, it begins with #2 and I think that was important to immediately get into the heads (and world) of the two main characters.
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I'd choose to start with a main character scene because it grabs attention right away and gets the audience invested in the story from the beginning Fran Harris !