Cold Open

Definition

A cold open is a technique used in television writing where a scene plays before the opening credits, grabbing the audience's attention right away. This method serves to hook viewers into the story quickly and can set up a comedic moment or a critical plot point, especially in sitcoms and procedurals.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Cold opens are particularly common in sitcoms, where they can quickly introduce humor and engage audiences before the credits roll.
2. In procedural dramas, a cold open often presents a gripping situation or crime scene that sets up the central conflict for the episode.
3. The length of a cold open typically ranges from 30 seconds to 2 minutes, fitting within the overall timing constraints of the show.
4. Cold opens can vary in tone from comedic to dramatic, depending on the genre and intended audience engagement.
5. Writers often use cold opens to establish character dynamics or introduce new plot lines, making them an essential storytelling tool.

Review Questions

• How does a cold open differ in its function between sitcoms and procedural dramas?
  • In sitcoms, a cold open serves primarily to deliver immediate humor or establish comedic situations that grab viewers' attention quickly. Conversely, in procedural dramas, a cold open typically introduces an urgent scenario, such as a crime or emergency, that sets the stage for the episode’s central investigation. Both types aim to engage viewers right away, but they do so with different narrative approaches tailored to their genres.
• Discuss the impact of page count and timing on crafting an effective cold open for a television show.
  • The page count and timing are crucial when crafting a cold open because television shows generally have strict limits on total runtime. Cold opens must be succinct enough to fit within these limits while still establishing tone and drawing viewers in. A well-crafted cold open balances brevity with impactful storytelling elements, ensuring it doesn’t feel rushed while still serving its purpose of engaging the audience effectively before transitioning into the main content.
• Evaluate how cold opens contribute to balancing standalone and serialized storytelling within episodic television.
  • Cold opens play a significant role in balancing standalone and serialized storytelling by providing hooks for both new viewers and returning audiences. In episodic formats, they can present self-contained scenarios that provide immediate satisfaction while also hinting at overarching plot lines or character developments that resonate throughout a season. This dual function helps maintain viewer interest across episodes, making it easier to invest in ongoing stories without alienating those who may only watch selected episodes.

Related terms

Teaser:

A teaser is a short segment or scene at the beginning of an episode that leads into the main story, often used interchangeably with a cold open but may vary in length and purpose.

Tag:

A tag is a brief scene at the end of an episode that wraps up the story or provides a final punchline, contrasting with the cold open that occurs at the beginning.

Pilot Episode: A pilot episode is the first episode of a series that is used to sell the show to networks, often featuring a strong cold open to capture interest from viewers and executives.