AC: Technical analysis

28 Weeks Later (Fresnadillo, 2007)

(0:16- 1:50)

1. Duration: 2 seconds

Camera Technique: Cu on character reading the newspaper

Mise-en-Scene: Flicking through the newspaper, character lit, 

2. Duration: 3 seconds

Camera Technique: MS on character
Mise-en-Scene: Similar to shot 1, shown more of the location, appears to be in an old, dusty home.

3. Duration: 2 seconds.
Camera Technique: ECU on candle.
Mise-en-Scene: Candle in  focus, character movement in background.


4. Duration: 1 second.
Camera Technique: CU on spinning propeller, steady cam.
Mise-en-Scene: toy plane main focus of the shot, light coming in from the left.


5. Duration: 2 seconds.
Camera Technique: Canted angle of the old man, who walks to the left of the camera.
Mise-en-Scene: Costume, stereotypical grandfather attire, framed in a small room.


6. Duration: 2 seconds.
Camera Technique: LS of dining room table, steady shot, slight tilt in the angle to the left.
Mise-en-Scene: Lighted by candles, family setting up dinner.


7. Duration: 5 seconds.
Camera Technique: LS through staircase railing, focused on the family. shaky camera movement
Mise-en-Scene: Dark, little lighting used, appearance of an old family estate home. casual conversation throughout the shot.


8. Duration: 4 seconds.
Camera Technique: MS of girl walking down the stairs, again use of handheld camera.
Mise-en-Scene: Girl has a saddened look on her face, as she walks past the camera.


9. Duration: 2 seconds.
Camera Technique: Cu on the mans face, slight movement of the camera.
Mise-en-Scene: man talking to family, whilst pouring the wine.

10. Duration: 1 second.
Camera Technique: MS of girl sitting down at the table.
Mise-en-Scene: Casual family dinner.


11. Duration: 10 seconds.
Camera Technique: Cu on the faces of the family members, fast cutting rate used, cutting between each character showing their emotions, panning following the characters.
Mise-en-Scene: Sad expressions on the characters faces, audience can sense that there is something wrong about the scenario, due to the dirty clothes, and plain food being served.


12. Duration: 8 seconds.
Camera Technique: panning shot, with CU on the food being passed, handicam movement. Tilt upwards towards girls face
Mise-en-Scene: Dim lighting  but silence is used to create tension as she places the plate at an empty seat, to which the audience realise there is a character missing, which brings the horror to the clip.


13. Duration: 3 seconds.
Camera Technique: slight movement in the camera with a MS on the girl
Mise-en-Scene: She speaks of her boyfriend returning, in a solemn manner, which creates mystery around the character.


14.Duration: 1 second.
Camera Technique: CU on woman's face, shot from a low angle
Mise-en-Scene: light is positioned on her face, whilst she tries to protect the girl's feelings.


15. Duration: 4 seconds.
Camera Technique: CU on Jacob speaking, a Steadicam is used and using a front on angle.
Mise-en-Scene: He talks down to the girl, and seems superior to the rest of the group, but appears as the antagonist in the shot.


16. Duration: 3 seconds.
Camera Technique: quick cuts between the characters.
Mise-en-Scene: Displays their expressions to what is being said.


17. Duration: 3 seconds.
Camera Technique: MS on Jacob, but soon swish pans to the girl, shot from the same distance
Mise-en-Scene: We can see Jacob becoming angrier, whilst the girl is becoming upset over the fact her boyfriend is missing. still dimly lit, but all characters are becoming more upset.


18. Duration: 2 seconds.
Camera Technique: CU on the protagonist, 
Mise-en-Scene: Appears the head of the table, keeping calm throughout.


19. Duration: 2 seconds.
Camera Technique: Cut to girl, shot in a MS.
Mise-en-Scene: upset look on her face.

20. Duration: 4 seconds.
Camera Technique: Cu on the man talking, tilt in the angle down then up, following the character.
Mise-en-Scene: Describes the scenario to the audience.

21. Duration: 2 seconds.
Camera Technique: LS, zooming away from the table
Mise-en-Scene: The audience can see the panic on the faces of the characters after the knocking on the door.

22. Duration:1 second.
Camera Technique: Fast cutting rate of characters, CU used.
Mise-en-Scene: Can see their expressions, and the fast pace builds tension in the scene.

23. Duration: 3 seconds.
Camera Technique: LS of the man and woman communicating.
Mise-en-Scene: Can see the panic and fear in their expression.

24. Duration: 4 seconds
Camera Technique: MS on the man, panning as he walks towards the door.
Mise-en-Scene: See the confusion in his face.

25. Duration: 1 second.
Camera Technique: Shows the group in a LS.

26. Duration: 8 seconds
Camera Technique: Montage of CU and MS of him unlocking the door.
Mise-en-Scene: The montage is effective at creating a fast paced piece, creating tension for the audience.

Soundtrack:
There is no soundtrack, backing the opening scene, however tension is built throughout with the use of non-diegetic sound turned up, to emphasis the enigma of the scene. You can hear the creaking of the stair case, and the squeak of the chair as it is pushed along the floor, which alerts the audience. Silence is used as well to build tension, such as when the girl mentions her missing boyfriend, for 5 seconds there is no sound, which allows it to sink in for the audience, making them feel sorry and emphasise for the family. Dialogue is the main sound used throughout, and helps set the scene for the film, as the audience learn of the situation and the personality of the characters, within the first 2 minutes of the film, and through conversation, drama is established.

What I learnt:
Through the exercise of analysing the sequence, closely, studying each shot, I learnt the importance of a fast cutting rate between shots, as it speeds up the pace of the film, and builds tension and keeps it exciting for the audience to watch throughout. I also acknowledged how effective silence is, to build tension and mystery, through the absence of sound, the audience are drawn more into what is happening on screen, which is good for a horror film, as it means you can surprise the audience easily. Location is also important when filming a horror movie, as well as lighting, to create the atmosphere, and allow the audience to instantly recognise the genre of film.