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In film production, the pre-credit is the section of the film which is shown before the opening credits are shown.

Many films will by common convention have a short scene before the credits to introduce characters who may, or may not, become crucial to the film's plot. This sequence is normally an expositional scene with either an obvious important plot point or an event which is seemingly minor but whose significance will later in the film become apparent.

A characteristic of pre-credit scenes in the horror genre is a character (seemingly a main character) who is killed quickly, as a heralding "warning kill" of the antagonist. For example, Cube.

Television series will also have a pre-credit. One series famous for its pre-credits is Law & Order. Their famous sound effect will close the pre-credit after each episode's victim is discovered.

[edit] See also

• Cold open