Main post 5a: Macro/micro analysis of an opening sequence from your genre

The first sequence I am going to analyse is 'Hot Fuzz'( Action/Comedy):

Macro

At the beginning, the studio company 'Universal' appears, whilst this is appearing however there is background police siren music in the background. This establishes what the film is going to be based around (the police) to the audience, and this is quite stereotypical of an opening sequence. The narrative throughout is from the point of view of the main policeman who is talking through his achievements and general life. The narrator and policeman themselves are represented in a stereotypical way of what is expected of a policeman. They are portrayed in a strict and professional manner. Due to the many jump-cuts which adds a fast pace, it is soon evident to the audience that the film is going to be of an action, however the comedy elements add to this also.

Micro

In most of the shots, the camera is mainly placed in front of the main character. This makes it more personal to the audience because they can get a sense of who they are and their type of character. In most of the shots at the end, the character makes eye contact with the camera, which is theoretically the audience. This adds to the comedy element of it because it shows he is not serious, this is quite subversive because policeman are usually shown in a serious way, which in this case for the comedy aspect they are not.

The music in the background is of a upbeat and 'jolly' nature, this also adds to the comedy element of it. The editing has made the sequence more into jump-cuts, to show the audience that it is from the past. The producers want to show that what they are seeing is a series of flashbacks, so making the shots jump-cuts makes it more fast pace. However, there is a lack of credits throughout the sequence, which is subversive of an opening sequence. The only credit which did appear was at the beginning with 'Universal pictures present', usually in sequences they usually show the directors and producers names, as well as the characters.

The second sequence I am going to analyse is 'Zombieland'(Horror/Comedy):                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

Macro

The narrative seems like it is from the point of view of a bystander, someone who has survived the 'zombie apocalypse'. Throughout the sequence, they are somewhat talking to the audience and telling them what to do to survive, but in a comedic way. Also, certain social groups are portrayed in a certain way. For example,  it claims to be the case that the more overweight people at the 'first ones to die' due to their weight, and this is a conventional representation because stereo typically they are seen to be weak and incapable of doing many things. It is evident from the offset that the genre is of a horror/comedy, this is because at the start it is visible to the audience there is many elements of blood and gore, such as the zombies. However, the producers have made this comedic because of the narrative throughout, they are talking in a conversational and personal way which makes it more engaging and this is an opportunity to establish the genre to the audience.

Micro

At the beginning of the sequence, it seems as if they have used a handheld camera because the shots are very jumpy. Also, most of the shots here from the point of view of either the narrator themselves or of a victim who is witnessing this zombie mayhem. Using point of view shots here makes it more personal from the very start to the audience, they can see what it's like from the victim's view and in some ways be able to understand their emotions and feelings, as if they are the victim themselves. When editing, the producers have used a type of bubble writing when showing the credits, which is very conventional of a film like this. If they used a horror type of writing then this would confuse the audience to whether it is a comedy or horror. Using horror costume and make-up and comedy credits establishes that this is what the genre is.

The editing used throughout are mainly jump-cuts. This makes the sequence more fast paced which gives the idea to the audience that the film itself is going to be action packed and fast itself. As it gets to the mid-point of the sequence, when most of the credits are shown, a heavy metal music starts. This is very conventional of a horror film. There are many special effects used as well , the producers have edited the 'zombies' to look even more gruesome than they actually are. From this, I have a feeling that the film is more on the horror side instead of comedy because it outweighs it.