Frame 1
This opening frame is used to establish setting. The use of a close up allows us to clearly see an american flag, and also what appears to be a major american landmark in the background. This tells the audience that the film is likely to be set primarily, if not completely in America. Although it is not possible to see the entirety of what is happening, which leaves the audience guessing. The low, unbalanced camera angle suggests some kind of disruption, conveying the fact that the world has been turned 'upside down' in the mayhem. A voice narrates, explaining the current situation of america.
Frame 2
The frame further reveals the setting, confirming first suspicions. The use of mise-en-scene; burning cars, guns, blood, introduces the genre. It's clear the film is going to involve a lot of action, and darker themes. An infected individual is in full view, running hungrily towards the camera. The use of a POV shot allows the audience to empathise with this character, and heightens fear by involving the audience and making them feel as if the zombie is actually chasing them. By putting the zombie so clearly in view, and making it the main focus, it's blatant that you are watching a zombie film.
Frame 3
In the third frame it becomes clear that this is in fact a zombie film. The character from which the POV shot is taken comes into a close up, subsequently the zombie is seen ripping through the flesh of the human. Not only does this confirm the genre, but it also shows the audience that will be a strong focus on gore in this film. It also becomes clear that this victim is not in ownership of the voice narrating, leaving is wondering who the main character in the film will be.
Frame 4
Frame 4 uses a medium shot of planet earth, taken from the atmosphere. By showing the entirety of the planet, it suggests how widespread the infection is, giving clues about the plot - the epidemic is well under way and the film will focus on survival. The image of earth has been created and edited in a way so that it looks as if it is near enough completely destroyed, with tectonic plates coming apart, and lava spilling from between them. Again this tells us about the plot, and shows us the state of our planet.
Frame 5
In frame 5 we see a long shot of an obese man running from what appears to be a zombie. This image is accompanied by the voice-over from the narrator telling us about his list of rules. This helps introduce character, telling us about his organise, perhaps somewhat paranoid personality. The image used in the shot is somewhat comedic, as an overweight person running in a futile way from a zombie is a direct juxtapostition to the word 'cardio' flashing along the bottom of the screen. This introduces a new element of comedy to the genre, suggesting it's not a straight zombie film, but more likey what has been branded a 'zom com'. The font is bold and tarnished looking, which connotes the state of the planet.
Frame 6
Frame 6 uses an over the shoulder shot to portray what is happening. In shallow focus we see a seemingly ordinary citizen shooting an infected police officer. By showing that even authorities are infected, it shows the audience just how out of control the planet has become. The fact a completely normal looking woman is the one firing the gun suggests that when we meet our main characters, they will be similar. It suggests the film will follow a group or an individual citizen, rather than something such as an army unit. In the background we see the mayhem caused by the infection in a city. This shows that audience that the infection is ongoing and there are still survivors. The voice-over continues to explain his rules, confirming any thoughts about his personality prior to this shot.
Frame 7
Frame 7 uses a high angle to shot to show us the proceedings. The use of this shots adds to a sense of vulnerability surrounding the man in shot, this runs parallel to and complements the voice-over of 'when you're at your most vulnerable, somehow they could just smell it'. The fact that the man about to be eaten by zombies is using the toilet ties in with the genre 'zom-com', by using a more infantile humour appreciated by this target audience.
Frame 8
A medium close up shot shows a juxtaposition of some sweet little girls at a party, who have been infected and turned into ravenous zombies. This, again, ties in with the 'zom-com' genre, by adding a unique and humorous twist to the audience's concept of stereotypical zombies. The image on screen continues to run along with the voice-over.
Frame 9
A medium-long shot shows the woman from the previous frame flying from her car after crashing into a van without having her seatbelt on. The use of slow motion and the camera angle in this shot allows the audience to see what is happening clearly, including the gory landing, and adds to the drama and unpleasantness conventional in this genre. The fact this woman's death is due to something more everyday, rather than being eaten alive by ravenous zombies, tells us something about the plot. It suggests that the film is not entirely about zombies and survival, but also incorporates more everyday things, whether this is friendships, romance, etc. It gives a message that zombies aren't the only thing you need to worry about in 'Zombieland'.
After this final frame, the opening credits then begin. Throughout the opening sequence the audience never get a visual image of who the narrator, and by assumption the main character, is. Despite this, use of cast, script and the voice-over itself give us clues. We can judge from the sound of the voice that it is a male, and seemingly young. They way he talks and describes what is happening, and the rules, suggests that he is reasonably well educated, is organised, slightly paranoid and worried, and it also sounds as if he's planned for something like this - suggesting he could be considered somewhat nerdy. The use of everyday people seen through the sequence also suggests that our main character is going to be a similar, everyday person.
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