Dawn of the Dead (2004): Image analysis 2

This scene from DOTD uses collision cutting well to make sounds and setting feel more extreme. Before this moment in the elevator we see the group running from zombies. There is loud shouting and groans from the zombies as they run through the mall. Then when the group get to the safety of the elevator, the door closes and real mellow music is being played. This is an example of contrapuntal music where the music doesn’t fit the actions on screen. Another example of contrapuntal music would be the ear cutting scene from Reservoir Dogs. Where Mr.Blonde is torturing a police officer, but as he is doing it he is listening to K-Billy's Super Sounds of the 70's. This makes the audiences feel awkward and uncomfortable. As we are given this catchy song that makes you want to dance playing over a poor man having his ear cut off, it makes the scene so much more uncomfortable for the audiences. 

After this scene it cuts back to the group running from the zombies. This effects makes the juxtaposition between quite->loud seem far more extreme than they are, an effect used in basically every horror movie.  This is like Hitchcock use of collision cutting in Psycho. But with Hitchcock he uses longer drawn out takes to make the switch seem extreme, DOTD is more sudden change between the two juxtaposition elements.

The arrangement of the characters in the mise-en-scene also shows who is strong within the group. Ana is centre frame and showed to be the focal point of the group, the one who is holding it all together. It is interesting the comparison between Monica and Ana. Monica has her blonde hair down. Also she has had sex with Steve earlier on in the film. This makes her the stereotypical female victim. This is a complete juxtaposition to Ana who is more of a ‘tom boy’, who is very strong and doesn’t need saving. Also the characters clothes are very different. Ana has this tank top and looks like she is ready to get hands on with the action. However Monica is wearing a cardigan which connotes a more fashionable approach of her image. Also the cardigan seems to tell you that she will be taking more of a back seat in the escape where with Ana she will be the one leading the team forward.