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I'm trying to think of ways to signal "This isn't a glitch, you're stopped for narrative reasons". Maybe letterboxing? Like if the game starts and then you letterbox the camera, play the audio, and then unletterbox it when you want the player to start? I think that's a signpost people recognize. Maybe. I could swear I've seen this in games but I can't think of any examples to find on youtube. 

Seems familar to me as well. Either way probably a reasonable solution.