1. Planning

2. Stage 1 – Identifying your needs
Identify who will feature in your opening credits
Write a list of the billing order with justification for you choices
Decide what important information you want to reveal in your opening
Characters – what characters will be introduced? What do you want your audience to find out about them in the opening 2 minutes? How will this help them understand the rest of the film?
Setting – what setting(s) do you want to establish?
Narrative – what parts of the story do you want to introduce in the opening? Why is it important to establish this part of the narrative straightaway?
Genre – what techniques will you use to establish the genre? Consider your use of mise en scene, sound, setting, style.

3. Stage 2 – Storyboarding/Scripting
Write a script for your opening outlining the shots you will use. Use the correct scripting format.
Create a storyboard or animatic for your opening so that you clearly know how you will use the camera and what locations you need
(You can experiment with sound on your animatic)

4. Stage 3 – Preparation for Filming
 Recce/Location report – visit different locations and take photographs. Write a suitability report for each location.
Scheduling – create a shooting schedule and call sheet so that you know who will be required, what equipment you need and when you need it. Stick to your schedule!