The document analyzes the opening sequences of Mad Max: Fury Road through codes and conventions used. It summarizes how: 1) Old news bulletins in the opening establish the post-apocalyptic setting and fuel Max's quest. 2) Shots of Max and a two-headed lizard create enigma for viewers about their connection. 3) Narration and shots introduce Max and set up he is being chased through the desert in the film's first 5 minutes. 4) Editing, shots and music are used to build tension and pace during Max's escape from captors.

1. Analysis of codes and
conventions in Mad Max:
Fury Road
For AS Media studies Coursework
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IJ8_Jf891k

2. Creation of enigma
• 0.07 – 0.17 – recordings of old news
bulletins give an insight into the
setting of Mad Max: Fury Road’s world
by telling viewers about wars over oil
and water. This non-diegetic sound also
encourages us to wonder if protagonist
Max’s quest/journey will be directly
involved with this background to the
story.
• 0.50 – camera shows mid shot of Max,
before it tilts down to reveal a two-
headed lizard; enigma is created for
the audience as they will begin to ask
themselves if the lizard and Max are
connected, and if so, how.

3. Introduction to characters
• At the beginning, there is a black screen and
first five seconds subsequently feature non-
diegetic narration from Max, partly
introducing him to audience and who he is and
how his ‘world is fire and blood’.
• Fifty seconds into the beginning, the audience
is introduced to Max when there is a mid-shot
of him standing next to his car on the edge of
a desert, with his back to the camera –
viewers are still kept in the dark regarding his
identity.

4. Setting up plot
• Max hears whispers of the ghosts of his dead
friends between 1.06 and 1.14 which
correspond with the scurrying and later
crushing a lizard: they communicate that Max
is trying to stamp out bad memories of these
characters and possibly his regret at being
unable to save them. This scene also makes
viewers think that the film’s story will largely
revolve around Max taking revenge against
whoever killed his friends.
• 1.50 – other cars, a truck and three
motorcycles follow Max’s car through the
desert; this surprises the audience and sets up
the plot as it shows why Max suddenly drove
off, yet it makes them wonder why he is being
chased. Having this included in the film’s first
5 minutes sets up the plot and Max’s
adventure n the desert.

5. Pace and rhythm (editing, mise en scene,
camera shots and movement) (Part 1)
• At 0.27, trees are shown to be blowing
in a storm, before this image fades to
black – this image and edit suggest that
the main story of the film is set a long
time after this event
• Between 1.29 and 1.38, straight cuts are
used quickly to show Max picking up his
belongings, getting into his car, along
with a close-up of the engine at the
front and the wheels – intensity of the
scene is conveyed and a build up of
action is created for the viewers.

6. • Max’s captors all have shaven
heads, black trousers and black
round their eyes – this costume
and make up show the shared
identity that these characters
hold and thus the fact that
they are part of a group.
• Max’s long hair and beard
signify that he doesn’t take
care of his appearance.
Pace and rhythm (editing, mise en scene,
camera shots and movement) (Part 2)

7. Mood and tone (non diegetic music)
• 3.37- intense, fast-paced music
that dominantly features
violins is played when Max
escapes from his captors and
runs away; this allows viewers
to engage with the situation
and the atmosphere.
• 5.12 – action music starts to
play when Max jumps onto the
hook in an attempt to escape –
the intensity of the scene is
emphasised.