Genre

After some thought, it's been decided the best genre for the opening sequence would be the horror genre. This is for multiple reasons, the main one being the horror genre can be utilized to make great films on low budgets. Not to say it's easy, as there are many awful low budget horror films around.

There is a lot of inspiration:

The horror genre is a very popular one, which is reflected in the fact that there are a lot of horror films. Horror films have been around for about a century, with earlier examples including Nosferatu in the 1920's and Freaks in 1932.

Horror films have been produced at a high rate since the release of Nosferatu, becoming even more popular after the release of titles like Halloween in the late 70's, after which horror films have been produced non-stop. Unfortunately, there are long periods where all we get are unoriginal slashers, starring the latest teen breakout witnessing there friends get massacred until the awful twist at the end. So all in all, there is nearly a hundred years worth of horror to watch for inspiration.

They can be done on low budgets in short amounts of time:

As mentioned earlier, horror film's can be done on low budgets and quickly, but that doesn't mean it's easy. There are plenty of films to back this point. A great example is Halloween. Director John Carpenter finished the film in under a month on a minimal budget, yet Halloween was an instant classic and is one of the most profitable films ever made. It also set the bench mark for Horror films after it. The simplicity of it, the absence of CGI and minimal use of affects, is it's strength. Micheal Myers, the killer of the film, is terrifying due to the mystery of his character. His heavy breathing is also chilling, letting you know of his deadly presence, leading to an incredibly tense atmosphere. The greatest thing about this, is that breathing is free. Another great thing about the film is it's opening sequence, revealing the killer's origin in the form of a first person view kill from a young Micheal Myers. 

                             

Halloween was quickly followed by Sam Raimi's The Evil Dead in 1981. Evil Dead was also filmed on a low budget just like Halloween, and was also a massive success, spawning two sequels and a remake.  Raimi made use of practical effects for all the blood and gore, and ending scene aside, the effects hold up well. All in all The Evil Dead and Halloween both serve as great examples of how horror films can be made on tight budgets, and still be great films.