Conventions of film opening

In movie openings you will always have the production logos and distribution logos of the main companies that work on the movie. Depending on the budget of the film/hype created for the film these logos will be edited in a form related to the movie, such as 300 the Warner Bros logo is made to look like a shield and is worn away and dirty. This is to reflect the story line of the film. 

The conventions of film openings. The classic order goes like this:

- Production company ident

- Distribution company ident

- Music associated with those idents

- List of credits - directors,actors,casting etc..

- Title of film

- Establishing shot

- Find out where its set (location)

- Introduce main characters

- Find out hints about the storyline/situation/narrative

- Sets the mood and tone and outs into place the genre

The film 'The taking of PELHAM 123' is the perfect example that follows the order of a conventional film opening.

The classic opening:

- Skyline/cityscape

- close up of a building, close-up of a particular window

- go into that room associated with the window & meet the characters