30 days of night opening

Analysis
We start off with slow mysterious music which makes the audience question straightaway whats going to happen and where the scene is set. Then we see glimpses of small detail of places along with edited titles to help the audience understand and give them background information. The screen then goes black and once again forces the audience to question what is happening and what will happen next, the scene is then re-introduced with a close up shot of a mans face; the expression showing fear and wonder. We then have a reverse shot showing us what it is that the man is looking using an establishing shot which is followed by an even bigger establashing shot from behind the man showing the enitre area and setting. The scene then progresses showing the man walking through the snow with the occassional close up of his face which everytime shows the same expression this hints to the audience that something is wrong and we suddenly see a build up of tension which is emphasized by the rising tempo of the non-diegetic music. The man then stops walking and we can see a town or settlement in the far right corners of the screen which tells the audience that this is an importance place and a key part to the story, this is then follwed by a low angle tilt upwards to the sky until the audicnce are engulfed in blackness making them think again until edited titles appear in the clip revealing them information.

Applying to filming
The opening is like Doghouse in the way that the opening is quite dull and boring however the suspense and textual aspects of it is really good. The fact that it gives the audience an overview of the situation and background information is a good idea as it allows the audience to understand the film more but not to much to give things away. The use of showing a scene of a man for about 3 minutes creates suspence as the audience believe that something is going to happen but it doesnt which is good as you wouldnt want the audience to guess when something jumpy is going to occur.

To watch the full movie or the analysis of the opening use the link:
http://www.movie2k.to/30-Days-of-Night-watch-movie-37861.html

Doghouse opening

Analysis

We start with an establishing shot of london which engages the audience and tells them where the scene is and is set, which is then followed by a long shot of blockhouses and flats this pinpoints to the audience the main area and gives the impression that they are being introduced to a new character. We then see a close up shot taken from a high angle showing the objects of the floor the representation of this is that a man lives here and that men are 'unhygenic' and 'unsanitary' which is emphaisized by the snoring linking to the representation that men are the 'lazier' gender. Then we are shown a medium shot of a character who is introduced through writing which is edited into the scene, the use of this helps the audience feel a mutal feeling to the character because they know who he is. The scene then changes and we are introduced to another new character and his name is given once again, this contines on several times. It is shown clearly to the audience that they all have some problems with women in some matters but also it gives us a little of background to their type of personality.

Applying to filming
Unlike other films ive analysed this one is abit different i find some aspects of the opening scene quite dull and bleak because its basically an introduction to characters rather than showing horror, action or comedy. But i do like the idea of freezeframing a scene and editing titles into the clip this helps engage the audience to the character and gives them an idea of the personality. I also like how there is different types of stereotypes like Vince is a leader, Neil is abit of a player and womanizer, Graham is the more emotional and feminine type, Mikey is the sporty youth and Patrick is the spirtualist hippie.

To watch the full film or the analysed clip use the link below:
http://www.movie2k.to/Doghouse-watch-movie-370829.html

28 weeks later opening

Analysis
We start with an extreme close up shot of a lit match which could connote warmth and saftey which foreshadows later events, the light of the flame then moves and shows us an extreme close up of a women eyes giving the impression of fear and worry to the audience. As the scene progresses we see another character being introduced but also there is a switch of camera movement from close up to a long shot of a kitchen, the room is dark and is lit with many candles which suggests to the audience they are trying to keep there presence hidden and that there is a sense of danger within the scene which begins the build up of tension which is emphasisized by the slow, drawn and repetitive non-diegetic sound in the background. As the scene goes on the music stops and all that can be heard is talking and the sound of food utensils until there is an outburst from the character jacob were he begins to raise his voice and swear, the clip reaches an end when he states 'there are no survivors''its just us in here and them out there' and as if on que the audience become brought back in to the tension when there is a loud knock at the door. All of sudden the non-diegetic music starts again and creates tension and suspense as we are then introduced to a childs helpless shouts and screams from outside, the build up then intensifies as new non-diegetic music is introduced and it slowly gets louder, this keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. All of a sudden we are engulfed bright light as we see the little boy and the music stops, releaving the tension from the audience. Once again we are watching another conversation through shot/ reverse shots and jump cuts to the women in the kitchen, the fact that there are multiple scenes of tension and normality suggests a huge build up to something, this however is not made clear to the audience.

We then are all took by suprise when a pair of red eyes appear through the gap of the window and we are brought back into the tension and confusement. Then everything starts to be fast paced as shots jump from one to another and the non-diegetic music starts again but this time more rigid and harsh. These music is associated with all of the 28 later films.

Applying to filming
What i like about this opening is the constant rise and fall tension as it means the audience will be glued to the screen and on the edge of their seats which is a good effect for all directors and film producers. Another concept i like is that when the huge climax of tension begins there is multiple shots that are fast paced to confuse the audience but to also give the effect of urgency and danger, with the music combined a really think that the end of the opening is the best out of the films i've seen.

To watch the full film or the first 10 minutes of analysis use this link:
http://www.novamov.com/video/enjeskdnrkt4f

Shaun of the dead opening

Analysis
At first we see a black screen with non- diegetic music in the background, the music is quite spooky and mysterious something that would be used in old horror film but also the tempo slowly rises creating tension keeping the audience on their seats until we are finally introduced to our first character. We have a close up shot of man in a pub the use of these levels out the tension that was built and the start and shows the normality of the situation as the man is having a cigarette and drinking beer. This gives the impression to the audience that this is pre-apocalypse. We then progress on being introduced to more characters but also being introduced to comedy side of the film as we hear the character Ed cursing in the background in what appears to be a serious conversation between shaun and liz. Towards the end of the scene after multiple shot/ reverse shots we see and hear the conversation between shaun and liz with shaun stating 'things will change' the sentence foreshadows later events of the film. Not only that but we see the scene end with slowing music with police sirens in the background creating a mysterious feel as to what will happen next, we then see the camera zoom in onto shaun's face creating more tension which is emphasized by liz saying 'shaun?' in a worry matter. As the seen ends the audience is left in darkness which makes them think and question whats going to happen next whilst non-diegetic sounds plays in the background.

The next scene is one of my favourites as the way its said out gives the impression that the people are zombies already through the use of everyone doing the same thing and doing it in a quite montone way. The way in which its done i find quite humourous and interesting as no other zombie films have used this technique of fooling the audience into believing the people are zombies already. The humour is further emphaisized by the upbeat music with the later scene of a group of people dancing to it down a street in sync but also looking like they are zombies. Straight after this we have a medium shot of the house and a close up of a mans feet, from the way he's staggering it suggests to the audience that he is a zombie which is emphaisized by an typical zombie groan. Its only after a full tilt upwards that the audience realise that the character is in fact still human. Right at the end of the scene we see Ed playing on a game console and Shaun going to join this once again breaks down and balances the tension that was created before by showing normality, we once again see humour as we hear 'player 2 has entered the game' followed by Ed stating 'dont you have work?' and finishing with the sound of 'player 2 has left the game'.

Applying to filming
The photo to your right is a scene that i find quite funny as this is after the dead have come to life and everyone has been killed, yet shaun manages to ignore everything around him and still be able to buy coke and a cornetto even though there is obvious clues of death and gore all around. This is the type of idea i would like to apply to our film to help aid the comedy.

Film introduction underneath:

http://www.youtube.com/watchv=vZmjsWAfn14&list=PL35184FE1DFD8745C&index=1&feature=plpp_video

Zombieland opening

Analysis
We start off with a close up shot of the american flag with the whitehouse in the background, already it introduces to the audience where the films set. The use of non-diegetic music of the national anthem also emphasizes the fact it is in america, but the fact that the music played is shaky and out of tune suggests disturbance and mystery making the audience think what has happened whilst they listen to the over voice of the man. We then see the camera move into a handheld shot creating the feeling of something personalbut it also engages the audience as it is about to make them aware to what is happening. The fact that the camera tilts downwards to the guns hints to the audience that violence has broke out but for what reason is still unknown which emphaisized by the overturned cars and non-diegetic sound of car alarms. The use of this is good as it doesnt give to much away to quickly and makes the audience think and guess whats happening meaning they are kept at the end of their seats.We then see the camera turn quickly suggesting urgency and danger which is backed up by the non-diegetic sound,which finally intorduces to the audience what has happened and what the problem is. The use of humour with zombie staring at the camera and sorting out his teeth is quite unique as zombieland is one of the first zombie horror films to introduce comedy into it which makes the audience appeal to it more as its something different.

Next we see an introduction to the storyline and an overview of what happened. I really like the way this begins as it shows how the outbreak progresses but also introduces the characters beliefs like (rule 1 cardio). The way its structured is also clever as the fim is set out like a strategy guide and a story by giving tips and what the character would have done in the circumstance but also like a story which is emphasized by the narrative, i believe the effect of this engages the audience.

Ideas gained
From watching this i've gained an understanding of to create a zombie comedy and what features are needed. I really like the idea of showing the zombie apocalypse and narrating it the same time as it engages and helps the audience understand the concept of whats happening, not only that but i like the fact that the narrating character is sarky, blunt and sarcastic about the situation. Another idea i like is adding the rules and tips into the film creating a guide film, which i find quite funny as with the amount of zombie films that is out there you'd imagine everyone would know how to survive a zombie apocalypse if it arised, so the fact that a film has been made telling people how to survive in sarky way is personally hilarious to me and i would like to use that type of concept in our film.

To watch the full film or the opening 3 minutes i was talking about go to this website: http://www.movie2k.to/Zombieland-watch-movie-91812.html