Deconstruction of Misfits Season 1 Opening

What techniques enhance our viewing experience and create realism?

Sound
The opening begins with non-diagetic music which intensifies to make it more dramatic.  The beat, which is a constant almost-buzzing noise, integrates into another beat which is of the rock genre.  This genre of music would have been used to keep their target audience of teenagers and young adults entertained because indie rock is rather popular in that market group.
Up beat and fast paced non-diagetic music is used during the fight scene to match the speed of the editing.

Representation
The girls conform to the typical idea of the female gender as how they are fixing themselves in the mirror and the fact that they are wearing make-up suggests that they are vanity-centred.  The fighting scene portrays the boys as thinking they are 'hard', this creates a sense of realism because a lot of teenage boys think this.  As the opening is set in a community service centre, this means that the characters are supposed to conform to the view of how typical offenders should be, for example not caring that they are there (which comes across in Nathan's sarcasm), being violent and vulgar (which is shown through swearing).

The wide shot of the six offenders standing in front of the probation worker gives the viewer an idea of what each one is like as their personality is reflected by their stance.  (From left to right) the first male is leaning casually against the railing which suggests that he does not have much respect for the probation worker and does not want to be where he is at the moment; he has the top of his uniform turned over to reveal his upper body which implies he is the vainest out of the males.  The second has his arms crossed indicating intimidation and he thinks that he is the toughest.  The third, Nathan, is standing head on which gets across confidence and he is positioned centrally and so he seems taller than the rest because he is the most important character.  Both girls are leaning back, but the second seems more seductive.  Finally, the boy at the end has more of a timid (hands in pockets, slightly hunched) and neat (legs together) posture than the others which represents more of a sensible and organised character.

Place
Behind the line up of the offenders is the Southmere Lake, so this scene establishes that the setting is in South East London.

Camerawork
When they are standing in a line a low camera angle is used to make them more significant.  The probation worker is positioned so half of him is out of the frame, and he is right in front of the camera so it's as if his body is looming above the offenders, like he controls them.  Lighting is used powerfully in this frame because his body is silhouetted until pitch black to signify fear, mystery, and authority, which is contrasted against the daytime weather behind the offenders.
A close up of each of the offenders face in turn is used to show their emotions whilst the probation worker is speaking; chewing gum, looking away, and smiling signifies disrespect which is another realistic portrayal of stereotypical teenagers.

Editing
Match on action and cutaways are used at the beginning where each character is getting dressed, which starts off slow and builds up slightly along with the music.  This establishes each character, whilst the music draws the viewer into the programme.
    In the line up, cutaways and match on action is used when the teens are talking over one another and interrupting the social worker which appeals to the target audience seeing as youths are known to be impatient, so the editing speeds up the scene.  Also, the insults and sarcasm (mainly from Nathan) being thrown from one character to the next is humourous and therefore entertaining for the target audience who can relate to the banter.  Shot reverse shot and match on action is used during the fight scene to alternate between the actions and dialogue of Nathan and the boy, but so it still makes sense to the viewer.

Credits
Low key lighting is used to create a dark and supernatural atmosphere.  Animations which are silhouetted and have distorted movements creates the feeling of eerieness and confusion which makes the opening enigmatic.  The music used is "Echoes" by the Rapture which is a dance-punk genre of music to entertain the target audience.  When the credits finish the music suddenly stops and jumps straight into the next scene of the programme which is unexpected.