Analysing Opening Sequences - 'Interstellar'

The first opening sequence I am going to be looking at is 'Interstellar', directed by Christopher Nolan, which is part of the science fiction genre.

This opening sequence contains the following conventions:

• Production company logos near the start of the sequence (Warner Brothers Pictures, Paramount, Legendary Pictures and Syncopy)
• The title of the film, 'Interstellar' (which is over a bookshelf at the beginning)
• Indication of genre (iconography is used to emphasise that the film belongs to the science fiction genre, for example the prop of the spacecraft that the male protagonist is in and the futuristic outfit he wears)
• Enigma is created (we find out that the man was having a nightmare about a crash that he had, however we as the audience don’t know precisely what is happening and why, and want to find out more)
• Foreshadowing (there is the prop of a small toy spacecraft on the bookshelf as the title is revealed, this could be hinting that it may be significant later in the film)
• Introducing the film's main character, and revealing some of his traits/aspects of his personality (his skill as a pilot, the fact he is a family man, the fact that he is haunted by something from his past)