Credits

Opening Credits

The opening credits are crucial in any movie or TV programme because it (along with the closing credits) introduces the actors, directors etc. However, the opening credits tend to be shorter so therefore only introduce the main actors, production company, distribution company, directors, producers etc.

Common opening credits order

There is no written law in which order the credits should appear but there seems to be an average order

Name Of The Studio

Name of studio that distributed the film - Sony, 20th Century Fox, Columbia etc.

Name Of Production Company

Name of production company that actually produced the film or name of people who have invested in the film.

Name Of Producer And Director

One of the most important credits - the names of the producer(s) and directors(s)

Film Title

Almost the climax of the credits, the revealing of the film title

"Starring"

Credits the main actors. Usually around 7 or 8 names are credited 

Casting

Names of the people who directed the casting of the actors for the movie

Music By

Credits the person the score of the movie

Below are a few examples that follow these average guidelines 

"Catch Me If You Can"

"The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"



"Reservoir Dogs"

Sound

In the opening scene of "Snatch" there is dialogue throughout the scene along with contrapuntal Jewish-themed music which matches with the characters on screen (4 Jewish men). The music keeps the scene very light-hearted and doesn't create too much suspense and gives the audience some idea of how the movie will turn out in terms of intensity. This has taught me that how your opening sequence sounds aswell as looks will set the tone for the rest of the movie, as is the case in this particular movie. This has also showed me that you can have both, dialogue and music without one overshadowing the other