In film editing, what element usually precedes the start of the actual film?

In film editing, the element that typically precedes the start of the actual film is the leader. The leader serves multiple purposes, including providing necessary information for projection or viewing, such as the film's length, production details, and sometimes even a countdown. It is a brief section of film that helps in synchronizing sound and vision and prepares the audience for the content that will follow. The leader is essential for technical reasons, ensuring that any preceding mechanical or digital systems are in alignment before the main features of the film begin.

In contrast, the title sequence is an artistic introduction that showcases the film's title and key contributors but occurs after the leader. The closing credits appear at the end of the film, listing the cast and crew, while the director’s cut refers to a version of the film that reflects the director's original vision, which may include differences from the theatrical release and is also not positioned at the beginning.