From a black screen, we fade in on an aerial shot of the New York City skyline at sundown. In the background plays an atmospheric, contemporary track that matches the visual perfectly. Then finally, a warm-hued lens flare appears from the side of the frame to add a little cinematic impact. In a clip that lasts just a few seconds, the stage is set for the scene that follows.
Putting together an opening shot, like the example above, is similar to assembling a puzzle. The various pieces — footage, music, and graphics — should combine to establish location, time, and mood. In other words, the pieces should come together to help reveal the larger story at hand.
To make the assembly of your next opening shot a breeze, the Shutterstock content team have curated a toolbox that’s packed with eye-catching footage, customizable graphic elements, and a diverse array of royalty free music. All you have to do is dive in, select the content you need, and start building your perfect shot.
Compelling Establishing Footage
When it comes to opening your scene, there are countless approaches you can take. A common technique is to introduce location using an extreme wide shot like a city skyline or a wilderness vista. To ground your story in a more specific place, you can use an exterior clip of your precise setting — a camera pan up the outside of an apartment building, for example.
No matter where your scene takes place, from a rustic log cabin to the streets of Rio De Janeiro, our diverse footage collection has you covered. Head to our Establish Your Story clipbox and discover the ideal video clip for your project.
Set the Scene Through Music
Even if it only registers with viewers on a subconscious level, music can add color and texture to your opening. The right track can even help carry your story by giving viewers additional insight into the state of mind of your characters.
Our music experts curated our selection of royalty free music for opening shots, featuring both location-specific and mood-establishing tracks. Take a listen to the full collection, and enhance your next opening scene.
Add Video Elements and Graphics
The team at RocketStock have created a comprehensive range of effects that you can incorporate into your video with popular editing software. Particularly useful for establishing shots is the lower thirds pack, Lyft. It’s a great way to communicate vital story information (like the where and when of your scene) using professional, animated text.
The pack is easy to customize in After Effects. You just need to add your text, adjust the color and font, and then place the graphic directly onto your video timeline.
If you want to add some extra polish to your opener, a cinematic lens flare can go a long way. These elements can be particularly striking in wide shots and aerials. RocketStock’s video pack, Radium, comes with 120 lens flares that you can drag and drop onto footage.
Another great option for establishing shots is the video transition template, Revolver. Rather than relying only on a fade in or a straight cut, you can choose one of 16 eye-catching ways to transition into your establishing clip. It’s a great option for promo videos or adverts.
Top image by Erika Cross
Looking for more great content to bring your establishing shot to life? Explore the full Shutterstock footage or royalty free music collections. Or for more designer video assets, go to RocketStock to browse their entire catalog.