To writers: The way you formulate a beginning

     I've been doing some thinking about the way we as writers think about the beginning of our stories. I don't know if the following statement applies to every writer, but it probably applies to a lot of writers--it certain does to me! :)
      When I think about the beginning of my story, I try to picture it in my head, sort of like a movie beginning. In the past, I ponder on this idea and the vision I see in my head of my characters or the scene of the beginning of a story. But as soon as I try to write it, I'm wordless. The chemistry of the characters don't make sense anymore or it's too simple or the whole idea just doesn't work on paper.
      I think the problem with trying to picture the beginning of a story like you would see it in a movie is unwise because a book is not the same thing as a movie. Yes, I know that's obvious but the way a movie begins is completely different in the way a book does. In a movie you have roughly an hour and a half to get to know a character (and for 99.9% of movies, you have multiples characters), figure out his problem, and solve it. That's a lot to accomplish is so short a time. The beginning of a movie has to be swiftly introductory and to the point (unless it a long 3-hour movie, a series, etc) so the viewer can learn as much about the character (s) as possible before the conflict is introduced (side note: conflict is an element essential to ALL forms of story-telling, whether it be a movie, a novel, or a stage play). There is not much time for the viewer to sympathize with the character and root for him, so the beginning is extremely important in the exposition of a movie.
     When you're writing a book, you have an exorbitant amount of time for the reader to get to know your character. Some books are wholly devoted to developing the character's thought process! The way your introduce a character in a book is just as important as when you do in a movie, but there is plenty of leg room for creativity. You can introduce a character any way you want, but it is recommended by most professionals to begin a story 'in medias res' which means 'in the middle of things.' Meaning, you should not introduce the character of a book in the same way you would in a movie! A movie's character-intro has to be brief and memorable, whereas a book's character-intro could be as inconspicuous as your description of a crack in the wall. 
     In conclusion, think about the way you think about a story beginning. ;) It's hard not to visualize it in your mind, but don't look through the lens of 'would this be a cool movie beginning?' because you're not trying to write a movie, you're trying to write a book! (tidbit: if you are really in love with the beginning of your story but it just not working as a story, make it a screenplay!) Let me know what you think of this post; whether you agree or disagree, or if you have something else to add. Thanks for reading!