Friends Opening Analysis

The opening sequence of the comedy/TV Drama friends starts with the sponsors, this only flashes up for one or two seconds to keep the audience focused on the TV Drama. They are at the start as psychological research shows we are more likely to remember things if they are at the start and the end of a media text. Before the recognisable opening credits occasionally there is a collaboration of clips from the previous episode, this is used to familiarise the audience with the scene, so they can understand the storyline from the very start. The opening credits consist of a music track played over the top; this is I'll Be There for You by the Rembrandts. This is used so as soon as the audience hears the opening notes, they associate this with Friends and gather to watch. The opening shot is a panning shot. The Main Opening is a still crane shot of a dark urban area, as the music starts the title F.R.I.E.N.D.S is placed on the top third of the screen. It is placed there so its the first thing the audience sees. The title is a thick, white font so it contrasts with the black background. As the music liven up, numerous spot lights shine on the scene revealing a sofa, a decorative light and a fountain. These are included to show they are modern citizens, they like to relax and also they like to enjoy themselves. This gives the audience a look at what the characters personalities are like. Then each individual character walks on, multiple shots of the character are used but all are at the same level as the character, this is to engage a personal relationship with the audience. Each character is introduced individually so the audience has time to create their own opinions and interpretations of each character. In between each character being introduced we see a action shot of the whole cast, this is used to remind the audience of previous episodes so they feel appreciated by the company for being a long time viewer. Each individual character is shown with a action shot, this gives a physical representation of their personality for example Jennifer Aniston is seen being unresponsive and throwing something in pity.
When each member of the cast is shown, their name is already on that shot so no transitions are used. The setting is a fountain in a park with a city background, this shows that even though they live in a fast paced, stressful environment, they take life one step at a time and are relaxed. All cast together are at the end of the opening credits, this is to show that they all work as a team and so that the audience can see how they all react together. At the end the scene goes dark similarly to the start, this is to show their days are short lived or whatever happens in the day, it always resorts to the same in the end. Then the director and creators name is shown at the end. This is for the same reason as the Sponsor.
The opening scene of the individual episode is always a panning shot of a similar setting, this familiarises the audience with the potential story. This then quickly changes into a dialogue scene with a P.O.V shot. This is used so the audience feels they can interact with what is happening. There is never a empty moment there is something always going on, this is to set the pace, so when something noticeable happens we are associating this to be of the same speed.