One of the most difficult tasks for television and film producers is to hold the audience’s attention from the very first minutes of the broadcast. A dramatic device known as a cold open, also known as a teaser, is frequently used to accomplish this. It is a scene from a show or movie that is shown before the actual start of the opening credits. This opening segment may be a quick recap of previous plotlines, or it may be a cliffhanger that draws the audience in for the rest of the show.
A cold open is frequently used in soap operas to introduce viewers to the plotlines that will be explored in the upcoming episode. A crime show might show details of the actual crime before showing the opening credits a few minutes later. In action/adventure films like the James Bond spy series, the hero frequently makes a dramatic escape from enemies who may or may not be related to the plot. The goal is to keep viewers from switching channels during the opening credits or to set the tone for the rest of the movie.
This technique is not used all television shows, including most late-night talk shows. The opening credits start exactly on time, and an announcer or graphics announce the guest lineup. A sketch comedy show, on the other hand, might use a cold opener, such as a short skit based on current events. The credits do not begin to roll until a character has performed a memorable or exciting stunt.
This element has been used since the 1960s, when network executives noticed that viewers were frequently changing channels during the opening credits of familiar shows instead of waiting for the first scene. Many shows were restructured to include a teaser sequence to combat this. For example, the main characters in a sitcom might be shown receiving a mysterious package and expressing surprise at the contents. This scene would pique the interest of viewers who were curious as to what was in the box and what would happen next.
A drama’s cold open might show the end of an episode with a voice-over explaining how the characters got themselves into this situation. Once hooked on the teaser ending, curious viewers will naturally want to see the beginning of the story. The opening sequence could also end with a mysterious or cryptic line of dialogue, which would naturally pique the interest of many viewers. A successful one ensures that the audience wants to watch the show again after the first commercial break or opening credits.