Researching and analysing opening sequences

In films and TV shows opening sequences are significant. This is due to the fact that they set the tone of the rest of the narrative. 

Moreover, opening sequences give directors the opportunity to touch upon important themes and elements, as well as apply various techniques, in order to keep the audience engaged and intrigued. 

• Killing Eve (opening sequence analysis in summary)

The TV drama begins with an establishing shot as we slowly track into a cafe in Vienna - we know this as we are provided with a title of the location. While tracking into the cafe, we hear several diegetic sounds of a motorbike and sires, which seem to act as an enhancement for realism. 

As we are placed inside, we track into a character from behind. This therefore appears to convey sinister like nature and builds tension to keep the audience engaged. Moreover, the dramatic non-diegetic music introduced echoes the character that we are focused on. 

The cafe, throughout the opening sequence, comes in contrast to the character that we see. It's bright, joyful and child-like - which explains the young girl with her mother sitting across from our character. And once our character is on her way out, she knocks the little girls ice cream into her lap and keeps walking on. This establishes an unexpected scene depicting no remorse from the character.

Only then the title of the TV drama is introduced to the audience: "Killing Eve" being written in red, along with a sharpened letter "V" - insinuating a sharp tip of a knife along with a drip of blood. 

• Breakfast at Tiffany's 

In the first shot of the film the audience is introduced to the film's production company - Paramount Pictures. Once the production company has been established, the first scene begins. It takes place in a deserted, early morning street of New York City - which is a rare sight to see. 

However, moments later a solitary taxi appears down the street, which the camera pans as it pulls off to the side of the road outside of Tiffany & Co. Once the taxi door opens, our protagonist emerges, dressed in a stunning black gown and exuding grace and beauty. 

We see our character look up at the Tiffany & Co. store, appearing dominant over her. She then carries her breakfast and coffee she'd brought with her and eats it in front of the Tiffany's store windows while admiring the numerous pieces of jewellery on display. 

Overall, the opening scene seems to portray a very sophisticated and elegant image of the character. The non-diegetic sound, a song called "Moon River", contributes to the scene's peaceful atmosphere due to its dreamlike melody.