How many times do people wait until the last few scenes of a film to decide how they feel about a character? Not particularly often, that's for sure. Audiences demand instant gratification, and that's reflected in the movies made for them. For better or worse, audiences have a tendency to make snap judgments based on how a character seems in their first few minutes of screen time. That's why it's so important to have a killer entrance: it's the quickest, easiest, most effective way to demand the attention of audiences right off the bat. Sure, there's something to be said for the slow burn, where character traits and background information that informs their actions is revealed gradually. But if a filmmaker can create a scene that succinctly lets the audience know exactly what their characters are about, that's definitely the way to go. The first time a character appears, an opinion of who they are as a person forms, and that sticks with viewers. For audiences to get invested, their introduction needs to be something special. Truly memorable character entrances aren't exactly a common occurrence, but when a movie manages to pull it off, it's pretty difficult to forget.
Audrey Fox is an ex-film student, which means that she prefers to spend her days in the dark, watching movies and pondering the director's use of diegetic sound. She currently works as an entertainment writer, joyfully rambling about all things film and television related. Add her on Twitter at @audonamission and check out her film blog at 1001moviesandbeyond.com.
