1. Dawn of the dead opening sequence
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=875R8kHxzrA
The apocalyptic/outbreak horror genre (in my opinion SO underrated and not just zombies or
plagues) is best shown and explainedthrough the opening sequence with the use of sound, editing,
font and various other filming techniques. A very effective method both to add credibility (to help
suspend the audiences disbelief) and tension is to sue a newscaster reporting the outbreak and
skipping ahead again and again to show either short or long passes through time, via cuts and cross
cuts, was sadly not used in this movie.
In this movie, scientific images of genes and cells give the idea of some kind of genetic mutation or
virus to anyone who has seen resident evil. This is further proved, as behind a shot of a news
reporter there is a sign with the disturbing message, ‘disease prevention.’ These images are again
followed up with shots of zombies attacking other humans. In particular there is a shot of a news
reporters being violently attacked by other humans/zombies.
The scientific images give a sense of something genuine, precise and legitimate. This helps suspend
the audiences disbelief on the matter and further scare the audience by making it seem like
something that could actually happen.
Although, at the very start, possibly as a stab against religion or just groups in general it has a shot of
monks/religious people bowing and praying. This puts me in 2 minds. 1 that religion and other such
things are a waste of time and or just as lifeless as the living dead, mildly interesting for a time then
just boring. And 2, people will always turn to some “greater power” when they sense the end
approaching.
The use of mise en scene within the opening title sequence adds points towards the horror genre
cup of the film. The use of darkened lighting creates a blurry, foggy effect (famous with good reason
in horrors) on the camera, creating a sense of foreboding and building tension in the audience. Sort
of a flag or foreshadow of violence/mystery to come.
The destruction is shown to be mass throughscenes of riots and mass destruction near famous
wonders all over the world. This is very important as it shows there is nowhere to hide on earth from
whatever this danger is (its zombies if you’ve never seen the movie (in that case, shame on you it’s a
good watch)).
The makeup and costume also enhances the horror genre of the film as zombies are shown to have
horrible, bloody (both dried and dripping), bizarre and generally weird injuries, blood covered
mouths and stained torn clothing. These zombies certainly haven’t had an easy time of eating people
and its clear from their appearance alone that people have put up a fight and died horribly resisting.
The opening sequence begins with the sound of tearing (most likely flesh as there are faint screams
combined with a squelching sound). These truly sickening noises are combined with a heartbeat
noise growing in volume as the scene progresses in the background.
Then we introducethe sounds and images of camera flashes, a gaggle of news reporters and
interviews that both shows andacknowledgesthe disease/problem/zombies worldwide, and this idea
of a pandemic is further shown with the graphic images seen with in the footage (what goes on in
horror directors minds?). This short introduction of noises is followed by the juxtaposition of non-

2. diegetic music (Johnny Cash’s, “When a man comes around.” In case you couldn’t tell or make it out
from the clip).
This soundtrack choice is eerily strangebecause it doesn’t fit to the graphic images and clips in the
scene. This is very effective as it detaches the audience, who would then chide themselves for not
feeling anything for the characters. They then look at the scene from a fresh perspective and pick
out better detail, allowing them to better appreciate the effort put in as they scream and turn away
in discus and fear. At least that’s what I hope would happen to an audience if I made a horror movie.
The song lyrics link to ideas of damnation, religion and apocalyptic views, “his name was death and
hell followed with him.” This is another religious comment (as with the monks earlier) which again
shows people turning to a religious figure in there last moments, but this follows up by saying
religion will only worsen things or won’t help you.
This makes me think the director or someone on the tech team is a hard-core atheist.
The title being in CAPS lock better defines the words and shows more importance. There is special
emphasis on the word “DEAD,” as it is biggest of them all, foreshadowing the rest of the film and
clearly laying down the horror genre of the film, cleverly giving an audience a last escape route
before the undoubted, much anticipated carnage sets in.
The font is written against a solid black background with contrasting red text. The use of this vivid
(I think crimson but I’m not certain) red colour emphasises pain and terror, and is usually used to
indicate a warning of some kind. This idea of pain is further shown with the added effect of causing
the text to liquidify and run off screen (like blood).
This red on black also has the effect of emptiness and almost saying to the audience, you can’t
escape this darkness and this text, this movie is your only hope/escape, further subconsciously
engrossing them, the audience.
The use of quick cuts between the names and other footage create tension and pace, while showing
the audience the extreme speed the infection is spreading, and shown again through the use of fast
cuts showing the increasing number of killings and reports on it. These quick cuts are extremely
effective in showing the worldwide pandemonium and setting of the film, showing that the events
about to take place are being repeated everywhereandshowing audience members that this
infection is universal and not only concentrated in one location. It almost asks them, where will the
zombies strike next? At work, home?, the cinema?, that guy eating next to you, is it popcorn or
brains?
Fin
James Brewer
JB