media analysis

2. The opening shot of the movie shows background
information of the storyline. This is in block
capital, white writing on a fully black background.
This suggests the opening will be focused on the
topic on screen and will continue the explanation.
Also at this time we are able to hear non-diegetic
music. This is similar to a distorted alarm which
plays constantly. There are also ambient sounds
like wind whistles also playing. This fits the movie
opening well as it already begins to build tension.
The alarm sound could also suggest a warning to
those watching or the to the characters in the
opening. It then fades to the establishing shot
which is labelled, also in block capital white
righting, ‘NEW MEXICO DESERT’. The shot has an
orange tinge to it supposedly from the desert
sand. This is matched with a dusty atmosphere
which is noticeable throughout the opening. The
long shot tracks a small river down stream. Here
we are able to here the diegetic sounds of the river
as it hits rocks and flows quickly. Plus, as the
camera tracks the river movement, it gets closer.
We then see a close up of a small fish whilst still
tracking the water flow. This implies there is the
ability for life in the desert and might be other
forms of life around.

3. There is then a low angle shot as it follows up to
two men. They are dressed in protective suits and
are wearing gas masks. This implies the location
could be harmful and implies a scientific
background. We then see them put the small fish
into a plastic bad implying they are doing tests in
that area. This could be for water contamination
and the expectancy for life. It then cuts away to
another low angle shot. Here we see another man
in the same suits. This shot then zooms out and we
see he has a metal detector. This backs up the
suggestion of scientific testing and also suggests
there could be something of value to them there.
The yellow tinge to the shots shows a dusty setting
and high sun implies it is mid day. Throughout
these shots the non-diegetic music continues but
we also hear heavy breathing. This is diegetic
sounds from the gas masks implying the air could
be contaminated. It then cuts away to a long shot
again establishing the setting. This shows the area
as barren and almost portrays it as a ‘no mans
land’. The quietness of the location shown in this
shot then adds anxiety to an audience as the
anticipation for a build up begins.

4. It then cuts back into a point of view shot. Here we
see a close up of the metal detector in the mans
hands as he walks forward. The rocky surface of the
ground conveys the desert location and shows no
other life in sight. This also implies the men are not
expecting to see anyone else around as they are
strictly watching what they are doing and not for
others. Throughout this we can hear the diegetic
sound of the equipment and the continuous
breathing of the man. The non-diegetic music begins
to become faster at this point implying the tension
point will be soon. It then cuts to an extreme long
shot showing the protagonist emerging from
behind large rocks. He slowly gets closer and walks
at a medium speed. This implies the action will take
place in this new setting as it has re-established his
whereabouts. The scene is very dusty at this point
with the rocks in focus. This makes it difficult for an
audience to see anything else around him and
suggests it would also be difficult for the
protagonist to spot danger. It then cuts in to a point
of view shot looking through the mans protective
eye gear. This shows no danger around at this point
but also being to build suspense along with the
quickening music.

5. It then cuts to a medium shot of the protagonist as
slightly pans around his body. This shows him using
his equipment with no disturbances. The sound
levels also become slightly higher making his heavy
breathing louder. This implies he is becoming
anxious but still expects nothing to happen. It then
cuts into an extreme close up of his metal detector
showing the bar fluctuating and moving quickly.
This implies there is little of importance in this area
as the diegetic sound continues normally. The non-
diegetic music in the background, however,
continues to pick up speed and also starts to
become louder. In turn, this continues to build
suspense as it implies action will soon take place. It
then cuts to another point of view shot through the
mans eye guards as he looks around his
surroundings. This shows more rocky hills and flat
land in front. Furthermore, this contradicts the
non-diegetic music as it suggests there is no danger
around him and therefore the tension peak will not
come. This also builds suspense as the audience
become completely unaware and taken off guard.

6. It then cuts away to see a medium shot as man
pounces at the protagonist. He is wearing no
protective clothing like the others an is covered in
blood. The protagonist begins to back away in a
hurry implying fright. It then cuts to a point of view
shot again through the goggles to see the mans
face. It is also covered in blood and suggests he has
been hit. The protagonist continues to back away
however the man looks as though he is trying to do
no harm. The non-diegetic music here is at full
speed but continues to add suspense implying this
isn’t the tension peak. It then stays as a point of
view shot but isn’t looking through the goggles.
This medium shot implies it could be from a third
persons view and suggests the actual antagonist is
behind the protagonist. The man then falls back
and stops moving forward as the protagonist
continues to back up. It then cuts to a close up of
the protagonist as some sort of spear is pierced
through his skull from behind. He then drops to his
knees connoting the real killer is hiding. The non-
diegetic music here stops, showing a peak in
tension. The diegetic breathing also stops showing
a loss of life and an end to the opening. The original
background music plays.