product research

The Walking Dead

 

The walking dead is a hit series which has done very well so far. In the opening sequence for this episode the mise en scene makes it more interesting to watch. It starts off with a black screen, due to the editing the camera then zooms out slowly showing us that it was zoomed into the pupil of an eyeball, it shows the audience deep into some ones eye which also shows the great detail in the colour of the eye. The camera lens then zooms out even further showing a man’s face. As part of his costume he is wearing a black eye patch which suggests he has obviously hurt himself in a way. Makeup is used on his face to show dried blood on his forehead and around his eye. This connotes he may be tough and fights a lot, he may even be causing trouble, his face is also sweaty which suggests he may have been doing something tense such as fighting. This creates enigma code as the audience wants to know why he has blood on his face. This is a close up shot which shows his facial expressions, he seems very angry.  

The next bit shows the actor punch towards the camera which tells us the camera is acting as the other person in the scene who we have not yet seen. It is shown from the other persons point of view as the actor who punches is staring straight at the camera (person) and looks very aggressive. As the man punches, the screen fades to black as part of the edit to show the person being punched has had a black out. There is then a fade in which then shows the man with an eye patch; who is the ‘governor’ in the programme. It’s a close up of him with his arms stretched out shaking the person (camera). This shows the audience how the other person feels as the governor is talking directly to the camera and is filmed with a close up. This engages the audience as we sort off get a feeling of how the person is being treated. A sense of enigma code is created as we want to know who the person behind the camera is.  The camera is also shaking, it is moving as if it is the persons head moving as he is talking. This is a point of view shot.

At the beginning of the clip there is diegetic sound which can hardly be heard in the background, it sounds like water dripping which suggests the place must be really silent because such a minor sound can be heard. There is then non-diegetic sound played as the camera zooms out of the man’s face at the start of the clip, this music sounds quite sharp and gets louder which builds up tension then reaching the climax which is when the man punches someone. This non-diegetic sound is also parallel sound as it fits in well with the scene.

There is low key lighting in the scene which gives an eerie feel. The scene is set in what looks like a wooden cabin in the middle of a forest, the lights are on but they are quite dim which connotes it could be late and dark outside which makes it spookier for the audience to watch. There is back lighting which creates a darker image however there are also filler lights used which makes everything look more realistic and shows the swear on the mans face. There is continuity editing as there are no straight cuts at the beginning.

The point of view shot suggests the person being hit has had enough of it because the camera keeps tilting downwards as if it is somebody’s head dropping as they may be tired. The governor is trying to keep the person awake by pushing the camera upwards as if he was pushing his head up by his chin.  He then punches him again but the camera angle changed which let us view the side of both people showing the audience who is being hit. This is a medium/close up which shows the actors facial expressions, they both seem angry and very serious, we also take a closer look at the makeup which is the blood and sweat on both of their faces. 

There is a low angle shot, slightly tilting upwards showing both actors. The governor is higher than the other man which connotes he is more powerful and is intimidating as he is pushing the man around and hitting him, he is also up in his face. There is a medium shot so we can also see the governor’s arm which looks like he has been shot as there is a bullet hole in his shirt with dried blood around it, this make up has been effective. We can also see a gun in his pocket which is a prop that fits in very well with the narrative as it is all about being protected from the ‘walking dead’. Having the gun connotes he is not afraid of killing to protect himself. The 180 degree rule is used here to show them talking to each other, which are close ups.

 

Target audience- The Walking Dead is a programme which would appeal to the older generation. Such as people from the ages of 18 to 50 who are thrill seekers and enjoy quality dramas.