If you don’t grab your audience in the first few minutes, you risk losing them entirely. In a landscape where viewers can switch to the next film or scroll to the next video with a click, your cold open must be unforgettable—especially as an indie filmmaker without the luxury of brand-name actors or massive marketing budgets.
So what is a cold open, and how can you master it?
What Is a Cold Open?
A cold open is the scene or sequence that kicks off your film before the opening credits or title card. It drops the viewer straight into the action, mystery, or emotion of the story—without exposition or setup. Unlike a traditional introduction, the cold open throws the audience into a world that demands attention.
You’ve seen it in countless films and TV shows:
- A character wakes up in an unfamiliar place.
- A crime takes place with no explanation.
- A high-stakes conversation unfolds in media res.
The cold open sets the tone, stakes, and genre immediately.
Why Indie Filmmakers Need a Strong Cold Open
Indie films often rely on strong storytelling rather than spectacle. A compelling cold open can:
- Instantly draw viewers into your narrative.
- Spark questions that need answers (What’s happening? Who is this?).
- Set up emotional stakes early.
- Demonstrate your unique voice as a filmmaker.
This is your chance to signal to your audience: “This is worth watching.”
1. Start With Conflict or Curiosity
The cold open should raise a question, introduce a conflict, or deliver a surprise. Avoid starting with mundane moments unless they’re laced with subtext or tension.
Examples:
- A woman walks into a diner, sits at a booth, and says, “You have five minutes to tell me why you disappeared.”
- A child plays with a toy in a seemingly normal home—until sirens wail and the floor begins to shake.
Ask yourself: What would make someone lean in instead of tune out?
2. Keep It Short and Focused
Cold opens are quick bursts of story energy. Don’t overcomplicate with subplots or backstory. Instead:
- Focus on one compelling moment.
- Introduce a character, setting, or theme without explaining everything.
- Create a sense of urgency or emotional momentum.
A good rule of thumb? Two to five minutes that say, “This story matters.”
3. Use Visual Storytelling to Its Fullest
Your audience hasn’t had time to get invested yet—show, don’t tell. Use:
- Striking imagery
- A powerful gesture
- A symbolic object
- A juxtaposition of sound and visuals
For indie filmmakers especially, this is a chance to show off your creativity with what you do have—location, lighting, performance.
4. Hint at the Bigger Picture
A cold open shouldn’t give everything away, but it should point toward what’s coming. You can:
- Introduce a mystery that will be unraveled
- Show a future consequence before rewinding to the beginning
- Reveal a piece of the climax out of context
This builds anticipation and helps you establish trust with the viewer: “I have a story to tell you—and it’s worth it.”
5. Align With Your Genre
Genre informs tone, pace, and what kinds of hooks work best.
- Thriller: Open with a tense moment or crime-in-progress
- Drama: Show a character’s pivotal decision or emotional fracture
- Comedy: Drop into an awkward or absurd situation
- Horror: Introduce a scare, mystery, or creeping sense of dread
The cold open is your chance to set expectations while also subverting them.
6. Write It Last (Sometimes)
Even though the cold open comes first in the film, it may help to write it last—once you fully understand your characters, themes, and climax. This gives you clarity on:
- The emotional anchor you want to introduce
- The mystery you’re setting up
- The tone you want to lock in early
7. Test the Hook
After writing your cold open, test it by sharing with collaborators or screenwriting peers. Ask:
- Does it raise compelling questions?
- Does it feel like part of the same world as the rest of the story?
- Would you keep watching?
A hook is only effective if it catches—so test it and refine.
Cold Opens That Stick With You
Here are a few unforgettable cold opens that do everything right:
- Get Out (2017): A man walks through a suburban neighborhood before being abducted—tension, theme, and tone are set in under 3 minutes.
- Inglourious Basterds (2009): A deceptively calm conversation becomes a horrifying reveal.
- Whiplash (2014): A drummer plays furiously—then the teacher enters. Boom. Conflict.
Studying great cold opens helps you understand what sticks with an audience—and why.
Enhance Your Storytelling With Transformational Screenwriting
Your cold open is only as strong as the story it sets in motion. Our Transformational Screenwriting method helps indie filmmakers craft screenplays with depth, resonance, and structure. Learn to write characters that evolve, arcs that matter, and scenes that leave a lasting impact.
Ready to hook your viewers from the first scene? Start with your script.