2. Camera
• The camera uses long shots to show different
locations that appear in the series as well as
demonstrating that the city is empty and deserted.
• The close up shots draw the audiences attention to
the main characters which highlights their
importance in the series.
• The camera slowly moves across the scene in one
direction before it quickly changes to the next shot.
This is to establish the location and keep the
audience interested in the shot.
3. Mise-en-scene
• The smashed photo frames with broken glass covering the
actors faces foreshadows to the audience that something
bad will happen to the characters as well as creating a
suspenseful, mysterious atmosphere.
• The shots of the deserted city shows the extremity of the
apocalypse and establishes the location for the audience.
• The mis-en-scene of the stuffed animal left on the floor
has a shocking effect on the audience as it suggests that a
child previously owned it but because it is abandoned, it
implies that the child was taken/rushed away.
• The shot of the ransacked shop was created to show the
results of the chaos of the events that happen later in the
series. The spilt food and empty shelves portrays panic
and terror as it appears that people were rushing to
escape, creating a suspensful and captivating opening for
the viewers.
• The flickering lights and turning doorknob add tension to
the sequence and creates a serious tone.
4. Sound
• The sudden start and quickening strings
music in the sequence builds suspense and a
horror-like effect. It creates a sinister tone.
• The instruments used are violins, the cello
and the double bass. The composer, Bear
McCreary has used chords that aren't
typically played together to create a sense of
uneasiness and anticipation. Unlike most
opening sequences that are similar in genre
which use a full orchestra, this is only a small
ensemble of instruments. This gives the
listeners an opportunity to hear the
instruments being played individually. The
fast-paced music gives an agitated and
aggressive impression as it starts softer and
proceeds to get louder throughout the
sequence.
5. Editing
• The time lapse of the street shows the shadows
moving, showing the day is progressing however nothing else in
the scene moved suggesting the city is neglected, further
implied through the fact that it looks like a busy road where
viewers would expect to see cars driving past. This adds an eerie
tone to the sequence and makes the audience wonder what has
happened for the city to become abandoned.
• A dark filter has been put over the sequence to create suspense
and a serious tone. It also makes the sequence look old and
damaged, linking it with the horror-like atmosphere the series is
aiming to create.
• The frantic fast cuts make the transition between the
scenes fast-paced and intense. The cuts get quicker building the
suspense however slows down for the title at the end.
• The flashes between the transition are used to add a dramatic
effect to the sequence.
