Pitch Dictionary by pitch.dog
Acts, sequences & episode architecture · Working

Cold open

Also called: teaser

ELI5

An opening sequence shown before the main titles or formal beginning of an episode.

Used in conversation

“The cold open needs to land without a long explanation.”

Pitch context

Use this when explaining how the story works on the page or across the finished screen experience.

Why it matters: Helps describe how a story works on the page and how its dramatic parts fit together.

Connected terms

  • TeaserA cold open is material before the main titles or opening; a teaser is an opening unit designed to hook, and may or may not be a cold open depending on format.
  • Teaser documentThe search label “Teaser” can route to both entries.
Sources & evidence · 6

Direct term-level sources and supporting source families.