Gaurav, Mia, Jake and Holly Media Coursework: Deconstruction On 'Infected' Opening

Mise En Scene

The audience first see a high angle shot of male's hand opening a car boot. The audience can denote the character is a male, as we can see a reflection from the window of a manly figure.

Naturalistic lighting is used, creating realism and to also allow the audience to clearly see what is going on.
The audience then denote a body being in the boot. This raises an enigma.

A title is used to show the name of the film. The colours connote the opening has a negative plot, as black may signify death. The title of "infected" itself has negative connotations.

The audience denote a low angle shot of a shovel burying the feet of the body. The shot makes the shovel look dominant. The audience also see a title card of the Director, at 27 seconds. The shoes are grey and therefore, may signify a grave.

A high angle shot is used to show the audience a clear view of the location. The audience identify that the body is being buried in the middle of no where.

Another title appears at 36 seconds. Note how the actor's name is placed above the actor, in order to anchor him.

A close up is used to denote the body re-awakening. The shot helps the audience to note the movement of the body.

An extreme close up shot is used to denote the boy's eye opening. The shot has re-birth connotations.

An extreme close up shot is used to focus the audiences' attention towards the movement of the keys. The shot helps to build an intense atmosphere. The audience denote the boy is struggling to start the car, and so audience pleasures are fulfilled.

In terms of editing, straight cuts have been thoroughly used at this point, in order to make this part of the sequence pivotal. Furthermore, the straight cuts are very sudden and the audience denote the boy looking back and forth. The atmosphere therefore becomes very intense.

A point of view shot (POV) is displayed from the boy's perspective. The audience denote a hand being forcefully hit on the car window. The shot helps the audience to witness the terror of the blood and hand with a more clear perception.

Sound

The audience first hear silence. The silence is complementary of the still atmosphere we denote outside. As a result, an equilibrium is straight away represented.
However, once the audience hear non-diegetic music, carrying upset and dismal connotations, and denote the body, a disequilibrium is represented. The non-diegetic sounds therefore, helps to create a juxtaposition.
The music is parallel to this part of the sequence, which is clear through the negative connotations it carries, being complementary of the footage being displayed.
Diegetic dialogue is heard of "I'm sorry". The dialogue helps the audience to develop their initial understandings of the narrative.
The on-screen diegetic sound of the shovel hitting the dirt is synchronous. Furthermore, the sound is on time with the action, building realism.
Non-diegetic chiming sounds are used. The audience do not relate positive connotations with this sound, raising audience expectations.
A non-diegetic breathing like sound is used, to help signify the rebirth of the murdered character.
A diegetic roaring sound is used. The audience relate this sound to the sub-genre, zombie horror.
Non-diegetic music is used, of guitars. The low note helps to make the sequence at this point more intense.

Gaurav, Mia, Jake and Holly Media Coursework