4.1 Cold opens and teasers

Cold opens and teasers are crucial elements in television writing. They serve as the hook that grabs viewers' attention from the start, setting the tone and introducing key characters or conflicts. These opening scenes are designed to create intrigue and compel audiences to keep watching.

There are various types of cold opens, including teaser scenes, flash-forwards, and in medias res openings. Crafting effective cold opens involves creating compelling first images, intriguing dialogue, and unanswered questions. The length and pacing of cold opens vary depending on the show's genre and storytelling style.

Purpose of cold opens

Hooking the audience

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• Grabs viewers' attention from the very first scene and compels them to keep watching
• Creates a sense of intrigue, suspense, or curiosity that draws the audience in
• Establishes a strong opening image or moment that sets the stage for the story to come
• Introduces a central conflict, mystery, or question that the audience wants to see resolved

Setting the tone

• Establishes the overall mood, style, and genre of the series right from the start
• Gives viewers a taste of the show's unique voice, themes, and storytelling approach
• Sets the emotional and tonal expectations for the rest of the episode and series
• Creates a distinct atmosphere that distinguishes the show from others in its genre

Introducing characters

• Provides a brief but impactful introduction to the main characters and their roles
• Showcases the characters' personalities, motivations, and relationships through their actions and interactions
• Gives the audience a sense of who the characters are and why they should care about them
• Establishes the characters' initial status quo or circumstances before the main story begins

Types of cold opens

Teaser scenes

• Short, self-contained scenes that take place before the main story and often feature a cliffhanger or twist
• Designed to pique the audience's interest and create anticipation for the rest of the episode
• May introduce a secondary storyline or character that will become relevant later in the episode or series
• Examples include the opening scenes of many crime dramas (CSI) or medical shows (Grey's Anatomy)

Flash-forwards

• Scenes that jump ahead in time to show a future event or consequence related to the main story
• Creates a sense of foreboding or curiosity about how the characters will arrive at that future point
• Encourages the audience to keep watching to see how the events in the flash-forward will unfold
• Examples include the opening of Breaking Bad's pilot episode or the flash-forwards in How to Get Away with Murder

In medias res

• Latin phrase meaning "in the middle of things," refers to opening a story in the midst of action or conflict
• Throws the audience directly into a high-stakes situation without much context or setup
• Creates immediate tension and engagement as viewers try to piece together what's happening and why
• Examples include the opening of Alias's pilot episode or the beginning of many action-oriented series (24)

Crafting effective cold opens

Compelling first images

• Opens with a visually striking, memorable, or unexpected image that immediately captures the audience's attention
• Uses the power of visual storytelling to convey key information, themes, or emotions without relying on dialogue
• Sets the stage for the story world and establishes the show's unique visual style and aesthetics
• Examples include the surreal opening of Legion's pilot or the post-apocalyptic wasteland in The Walking Dead's cold open

Intriguing dialogue

• Features sharp, witty, or mysterious lines of dialogue that draw the audience in and create a sense of intrigue
• Uses subtext, irony, or foreshadowing to hint at deeper layers of meaning or conflict beneath the surface
• Establishes the characters' voices, relationships, and power dynamics through their verbal interactions
• Examples include the opening exchanges in Gilmore Girls or the cryptic conversations in Lost's pilot

Unanswered questions

• Introduces a central mystery, puzzle, or question that the audience will want to see resolved over the course of the episode or series
• Creates a sense of suspense or anticipation by withholding key information or context from the audience
• Encourages active viewer engagement as the audience tries to piece together clues and theories about what's really going on
• Examples include the mysterious radio transmission in Lost's cold open or the enigmatic teaser in Westworld's pilot

Length of cold opens

Typical durations

• Cold opens can range from a few seconds to several minutes, depending on the needs of the story and the pacing of the episode
• Most cold opens fall between 30 seconds and 3 minutes, with an average length of around 1-2 minutes
• Shorter cold opens (under 30 seconds) are often used for comedies or shows with fast-paced, episodic storytelling
• Longer cold opens (over 3 minutes) are more common in dramas or shows with complex, serialized narratives

Pacing considerations

• The length and pacing of the cold open should match the overall tone, genre, and storytelling style of the series
• Fast-paced, action-oriented shows may benefit from shorter, more intense cold opens that quickly establish the stakes and conflict
• Slower-paced, character-driven shows may use longer cold opens to establish mood, theme, and interpersonal dynamics
• The cold open should maintain a sense of forward momentum and tension, regardless of its length

Transitioning to main story

• The cold open should smoothly transition into the main story or act one of the episode
• This can be achieved through a clear visual or auditory cue (such as a cut to the show's title card or theme music)
• The transition should feel organic and purposeful, with the events of the cold open directly informing or setting up the main story
• In some cases, the cold open may end on a cliffhanger or unresolved question that will be addressed later in the episode

Cold opens vs traditional openings

Structural differences

• Traditional openings typically come after the show's title sequence and credits, while cold opens play before them
• Cold opens are often more self-contained and focused on a single scene or sequence, while traditional openings may include multiple scenes or montages
• Traditional openings may include more expository dialogue or voiceover narration to set up the story, while cold opens rely more on visual storytelling and subtext

Narrative impact

• Cold opens can create a stronger sense of immediate engagement and tension by throwing the audience directly into the action
• Traditional openings may provide more context and setup for the story, but risk losing the audience's attention if they're too slow or expository
• Cold opens can be used to subvert audience expectations or create surprising twists, while traditional openings often reinforce the status quo

Genre considerations

• Cold opens are more commonly used in dramas, thrillers, and mystery shows, where creating early tension and engagement is crucial
• Traditional openings are more prevalent in sitcoms, procedurals, and shows with episodic storytelling, where the formula is more established
• Some genres, such as sci-fi or fantasy, may use cold opens to introduce the unique world-building or high-concept elements of the series
• Ultimately, the choice between a cold open and a traditional opening depends on the specific needs and goals of the individual show

Examples of memorable cold opens

Breaking Bad's "Pilot"

• Opens with a flash-forward of Walter White, in his underwear, recording a cryptic video message in the desert
• Creates immediate intrigue and suspense about how Walter ended up in this bizarre, desperate situation
• Establishes the show's dark, offbeat tone and foreshadows Walter's transformation from meek chemistry teacher to criminal mastermind

Lost's "Pilot - Part 1"

• Begins with a close-up of Jack's eye opening, then pulls back to reveal the chaotic aftermath of a plane crash on a mysterious island
• Throws the audience directly into the high-stakes, disorienting world of the series without any context or explanation
• Introduces the ensemble cast of characters through their actions and reactions to the crisis, hinting at their hidden depths and conflicts

The Walking Dead's "Days Gone Bye"

• Opens with Rick Grimes searching for gas in a post-apocalyptic landscape, then encountering a young zombie girl
• Establishes the bleak, dangerous world of the series and the constant threat of the undead
• Showcases Rick's resourcefulness, compassion, and willingness to make tough decisions in the face of horror

Common pitfalls to avoid

Information overload

• Trying to cram too much exposition, backstory, or world-building into the cold open, which can overwhelm or confuse the audience
• Introducing too many characters or subplots in the opening scene, making it difficult for viewers to follow or invest in the story
• Overexplaining or spoon-feeding information to the audience, rather than trusting them to piece things together on their own

Lack of relevance

• Including a cold open that feels disconnected or irrelevant to the main story of the episode or series
• Using a generic or interchangeable opening scene that could apply to any show in the genre, rather than one specific to the series
• Failing to tie the events or themes of the cold open into the larger narrative in a meaningful or satisfying way

Clichéd or generic scenes

• Relying on overused or predictable tropes in the cold open, such as a character waking up from a dream or a "fake-out" action sequence
• Using clichéd or on-the-nose dialogue that feels inauthentic or expository rather than natural and engaging
• Failing to put a fresh or unique spin on familiar genre conventions or storytelling devices in the opening scene
• Opening with a scene that's too similar to other shows in the genre, rather than establishing the series' distinct identity and voice