Analysis of my opening sequence: 'Dance of the Dead'

'Dance of the Dead'

CHEAL Production (2009)

My opening sequence is called 'Dance of the Dead'. The name is a play on the horror comedy film 'Shaun of the Dead' which I previously chose to analyse.

DECONSTRUCTION OF SHOT SEQUENCE

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  SHOT TYPES & FRAMING
  

Medium close-up of protagonist entering common room.

long shot of character opening the door prior to entering common room.

long shot of characters sitting in common room.

medium close up of news reporter announcing 'breaking news' .

close up on protagonist's face (connoting fear)

medium close up of zombie after entering common room .

Extreme close up on zombie's face which quickly follows onto the protagonists face (further connoting fear in facial expression)

long shot on zombie and boy before 'zombie dance off''.

EDITING

Cross cuts on zombie and boy during dance off .

shot/reverse shot of facial expressions of zombie and boy.

Green screen during the 'breaking news report' in order to add image of the zombie as well as to create a fitting background.

Green screen is also used during the 'dance off'' and lazer-type lights are added to present a 'disco/clubbing' mood further connoting element of comedy.

Green screen is used to present the television which the protagonist and other characters within the common room scene are able to see the news report.

LIGHTING

Unnatural lighting- dark lighting connoting sense of mystery (horror)

darker lighting also helps creates a fearful atmosphere as we are not aware of what is to come when the protagonist enters the common room. Possibly an element of suspence?

SOUND

'Cheal Production' opening features a voice emphasising it is a comedy-based production. (recording not a copy, original source)

'CHEAL' Production logo via final cut pro. My intention on creating this logo was to present a 'horror' feel which is then presented in our film.

'news report' style music is also added before news report is shown and during announcement. (copyright free). This also helps set a more realistic outlook on the scene.

'Dance-off' features Michael Jackson's 'BAD' (Copyright free source).

There is limited dialogue throughout the opening sequence. The majority of the dialogue is heard in the opening with the news report and the judging scene at the end.

PRODUCTION

Directed & Produced by: Enshell Cameron, Leslie Ibegbulem & Adam Hawkins. As a group, we took turns to film, edit and feature in the film.

HOW DO THESE DETAILS IMPACT ON TARGET AUDIENCE?

RATING: 12+ I felt as though my film was intended for older children and over as even though there is no particular use of strong language, violence or scenes of a sexual nature, the content within the sequence does however feature elements better suited for an older audience which also helps further understand the comic elements within the opening sequence.

I intended on creating a comic element towards my film hence the use of green screens in order to add details which may not have been possible without. the sounds along with the images are of a comic element also.

Looking at the results from the questionnaire, the majority of my target audience were not specific on the details they would have liked to see although a wide range of comic elements were preffered. Based on the final outcome of my film, I feel as though I presented the requirements although given more time, I would have preffered to include a wider range of shot types and 'horror' elements.