Shaun of the Dead

• 'Shaun of the dead' is a horror comedy film
• 'shaun of the dead' has been rated as 15 by BBFC (British board of film classification)
• 'shaun of the dead' was released in 2004
• 'shaun of the dead' was directed by edgar wright
• Describe Shaun as a character


  Main character he is a nice guy but abit of a doormat. He lets people walk over him when he should be strong and stand up for himself. Went to unnifersity with Ed and Pete and wants to be a proffesional DJ but because he is lazy and unmotivated he works as an assistant manager in a high street electircal shop.
• Describe Ed as a character.


  Known Shaun since school. Same age as Shaun (29) lazy and thoughtless. Likes sitting on the sofa all day, drinking smocking and playing video games. Unemployed but makes money dealing weed to his mates. Although he is funny he is irresponsible and a bad influence to Shaun.
• Describe Liz.


  Shaun's girlfriend 29 year old English teacher lives with Dianna and David. Has been with Shaun for years. Met on holiday and often recalls the good memories however she is unhappy and loves Shaun but wants him to become more hardworking and ambitious.
• Describe Dianna.

  Liz's best friend and David's girlfriend. Went to uni with Liz and David and 29 years old. Used to be an actress but was unsuccessful so is now a drama teacher. Enthusiastic and positive and believes Shaun is bad for Liz. She enjoys the theatre and lives with David.
• Describe David.


  Dianne's boyfriend. Nickname is Doff. Shares a flat with Dianne and Liz. 30 year old from Ireland and UNI lecturer. Intelligent and sensible but sarcastic and irritating. He's in-love with Liz and hates Shaun.
• Describe Barbara.


  Shaun's mum. Typical English Mum and loved Shaun. Wants what's best for Shaun and everyone to get along. Doesn't like chasing issues. Shaun's dad died young and then she married Philip.
• Describe Philip


  Shaun's step dad. Doesn't get on with Shaun and has always been strict. Gets angry if Shaun forgets to call Barbara except hun to visit twice a month. Although he is strict with Shaun he wants what's best for him.
• How did British and Hollywood industries differ?

  Different regulations.

  Bigger budget in America and bigger special effects.

  British films tend to be more character focused.

  Genre can different comedy in Britain can be darker.

  Age ratings.

  More renowned actors in Hollywood.

  Location is nicer in Hollywood.
• What elements will you need to write about in two a British films produced since 1995?

  Key elements of film form (representation, aesthetic, context, narrative and ideology) specialist study area; Narrative and ideology.
• What are conventions of narrative in films?

  Construction of dialogue, character, use of image, sound to convey narrative. Narrative devices include, voiceover, flashback, framing narrative, open ending, repetition and other forms of narrative patterning. Dramatic qualities of a sequence or scene are constructed. Narrative can include psychological insight into the character. How narratives allotment with POV.
• In films what is ideology?


  Concept of film and what ideological values are conveyed by the film and if they're reinforcing or challenging these mainstream beliefs.
• What is a parody?

  A work that mimics in an absurd or ridiculous way that conventions and style of another work in order to convey an ironic comment of affectionate fun.
• How is parody related to Shaun of the Dead?

  In Shaun of the Dead there are hyperbolical zombies, pub is the safe place, ignore the news, makes fun of stereotypical horror films, parody of Daun of the dead and Shaun is oblivious to the nature of the virus.
• Where are there intertextual references in Shaun of the Dead?

  References to the Trisha Show

  Top of the pops

  News references

  Vernon Kay=T4
• What does the term 'pastiche' mean and how does it relate to Edgar Wright's films?

  "a medley of various ingredients' The term denotes a technique of employing a generally light-hearted tongue-in-cheek imitation of another style; although amusing it is usually respectful. Edgar Wright films are often described as pastiches with their mixing and blurring of generic conventions and boundaries.
• What is definition of 'homage'?

  Any means of public show of respect to someone you feel indebted. In this sense, a reference within a creative work to someone who greatly influenced the artist would be a homage so in this case Edgar Wright refence to Romero in his style and borrowing lines of dialogue.
• How is the ideological convention of community and patriotism presented in Shaun of the Dead?

  Everyone goes about their business not noticing those around them. Wright wanted to convey the notion of what it would be the last to know a global crisis is happening and going about it like it's a normal day. Shaun doesn't pay attention and is oblivious to the crisis around him but no one cares to stop and tell him what is happening. Shaun only connects with those closest to him a small group challenging a zombie. Shaun continues this as he leaves Yvonne.
• How is patriarchy presented in Shaun of the Dead?

  Shaun is not your typical alpha male. Shaun feels he can't compete with different generations of men as Philip constantly puts him down with comments like 'what have you done now?' suggesting Shaun subverts the ideology of what it is to be a man. Shaun lives without ambition despite his university education. Shaun finds himself in young ideology drinking, music and lack of responsibility. Liz and Pete reflect maturity as they are driven and crave adulthood. Shaun however, has a job beneath him. And Liz and Shaun's contrasting ideology drive the narrative.
• How does Ed subvert the patriarchal society?

  Ed does not conform to societal expectations of what it is to be a man. Ed is represented of extreme immaturity or youth culture. Ed holds on to this by being unemployed. Ed does little to help around the house and does not pay rent and if he does help around the house he immediately rewards himself with a beer. Despite Ed's lack or responsibility Shaun helps Ed by offering him things from the shop as well as protecting him from zombies while Ed observes. In the end Ed continues to please Shaun as he serves as a break from the real world.
• How is social hierarchy presented in Shaun of the Dead?

  In the end scene news reports discuss how zombies have become useful in society and have been put to work in supermarkets or entertainment shows.

  Zombies who tried to challenge dominant ideologies by attempting to destroy it are put at the bottom of hierarchy as they meet the needs of those in powerful positions. Ironically, it is where many characters began. Mary who worked at the supermarket checkouts at the beginning credits continue to work in the same place when she becomes a zombie. The film conforms to social hierarchy suggesting it cannot change.
• How is British culture presented in Shaun of the Dead?

  Majority of the cast are white and a similar age group with only one none-white speaking part reflecting stereotypes of corner shop workers despite being set in London a multicultural society.

  Philip is the strongest representation of ideology particularly a stereotype of his age and class. He has been bitten by a zombie while cleaning his green jaguar outside his large suburban house.

  Despite his bite he expresses the classical stiff upper lip attitude of British male one must carry on and not let his pain effect him 'I'm quite alright Barbara I'll run it under a cold tap' Ed and Shaun are direct foils to Philip. Shaun freely admits his love for Liz much to the embarrassment of Ed who responds immaturely.
• Who else is British culture accentuated in Shaun of the Dead?

  Clear influence of what was popular in 2004. Shaun of the Dead is set in the suburbs of London feeling as though it could be anywhere in Britain.

  Intertextuality is used during TV sequences to reflect current ideology of Britain to the audience.

  This gives the audience a reason to relate to Shaun but reflects the rise in celebrity featuring artists such as Cold Play.
• What is the definition of Narrative?

  Narrative is the art of story telling, something we all fo every day. The story is the chronological narrative. The story is WHAT is depicted the plot is how. In Shaun of the Dead the plot occurs over 2 days. A narrative is the account of a string of events occurring in time and space. Narratives do not unfold randomly, but rather as an ordered series of events condemned by logic cause and events into meaningful pattern. This logic of cause and effect ties together character traits, goals, obstacles and actions.
• What are the features of narrative?

  Plot.

  Ellipsis (gaps in time ie SOTD is two days but in 1 hour thirty mins)

  Narrative devices including; voiceover, flashbacks and open endings.

  Repetition= montage completed a few times.

  Dramatic qualities= Music lighting, genre.

  Psychological insight into the character.

  Cause and effect.

  Binary opposite.

  Uncertainty over character identification.

  Alternative to conventional narrative structure (ie villain and hero)

  Film poetic= overall look.

  Narrative conventions of mainstream media/screenwriting, use of image and sound to convey narrative.

  Distinction between story and plot.
• What is Todorov's five stage narrative theory?

  1.) Equilibrium.

  2.) Disruption to Equilibrium.

  3.) Recognition of the disruption.

  4.) Attempt to repair damage.

  5.)New equilibrium.
• How is Todorov's narrative theory linked to Shaun of the Dead?

  1.) Equilibrium= Shaun does not want to change.

  2.) Disruption to equilibrium= Liz dumps Shaun and Shaun goes out drinking.

  3.) Recognition of the disruption= Broadcast on news and Shaun wants to get Liz back.

  4.) An attempt to repair the damage= Shaun attempts to save everyone he cares about.

  5.) A new equilibrium= Shaun matures and is back together with Liz and Ed is in the shed.
• How does Shaun's character develop a character arc?

  Shaun begins in the youthful lifestyle, ends up at an all time low when Liz dumps him, Zombies attack, Shaun makes a plan to save Liz and his mum (high for Shaun reflects maturity), Shaun gets Liz and his Mum safely, Philip dies low for Shaun but he died with love for his step Dad, Shaun is low when his Mum dies and eventually he is much happier at the end when he is back together with Liz and he can still maintain his youthful lifestyle with Ed in the shed.
• How is foreshadowing used in Shaun of the Dead?

  Shaun's oblivious attitude to the zombies during the beginning conveys to the audience it is likely the crisis will not be taken seriously.
• How are parallel scenes used in Shaun of the Dead?

  Walking scene is directly parallel to show how much the world has changed ie Shaun yawning.
• How is montage used throughout Shaun of the Dead?

  Shaun is getting ready for work.

  Shaun getting drunk.

  His ideas of plans to get to Liz and his Mum safely.
• Key scene analysis. What scene reflects lack of community?

  Performance= Yvonne 'No time no see' highlights the group are not united.

  Sound= Diegetic sound of fire alarm shows chaos is everywhere no one willing to help each other.

  Editing= Frequent cutting between the group reinforces the split between them. Long take of the group directly walking past each other allows the audience to reflect on this humorous perspective.

  Mise-en-scene=Shaun is the only one with a highly dirty shirt covered in blood conveying how he is the only one working hard. Directly contrasting outfits highlights lack of community.

  Cinematography= Medium shot and long shot of all characters no close ups to accentuate emotions of the groups.
• What key scene reflect social hierarchy?

  OPENING SCENE.

  SOUND- Non-diegetic background music conveys simple everyday life normal for audience and relatable. Pleonastic sound reinforces setting (pub)

  CINEMATOGRAPHY- panning shot illustrating the setting emphasizes social hierarchy through the neighborhood through working and middle class. Close up of Shaun's zoned out face conveys he is out of touch with upper class people with no motivation.

  MISE-EN-SCENE= Costume Ed is clearly unemployed whereas Shaun is in working clothes reinforces position of proles and Peter looks smart.

  EDITING= Frequent cutting between Liz, Shaun and Ed exposes how Ed is in-between them causing problems as well as placing him in the foreground in the middle between Liz and Shaun again exposing how Ed is holding Shaun back from adulthood.
• What scene clearly reflects patriarchy in Shaun of the Dead?

  SCENE- Shaun comes to rescue his Mum and goes and sees Philip who has been bitten.

  MISE-EN-SCENE= Green jaguar stereotypical of British society. House and props all highly stereotypical. Conveys they are a well off family.

  EDITING= eye-level shot of Shaun about to smash his head conveys conflict whereas close-up shot of Barbara and Shaun conveys a close and emotional relationship.

  CINEMATOGRAPHY- Swishing pan between Shaun and Philip accentuates conflict and urgency.

  PERFORMANCE= Philip 'there comes a time when you've got to be a man' Shaun doesn't conform to what it is to be a man.
• What scene conveys British culture?

  SCENE- MONTAGE OF 'THE PLAN'

  SOUND- Non-diegetic background music is tense sense off urgency to rescue Liz and his Mum, Diegetic sound of slipring tea and sound effect of hitting head shows resourceful British society.

  EDITING- Montage of plans show British conventions of setting, class divide. Moreover, frequent cutting shows urgency.

  CINEMATOGRAPHY= Swish pan shot and close up of pints conforms to British stereotype. Close-up of news reporters highlights Shaun and Ed's oblivious nature. Close-up of Winchester reinforces this is the safe place.

  MISE-EN-SCENE- Props such as tea, weapons and setting of the pub is very British. In addition the contrasting accommodation of Liz and Shaun's mum establishes British class division.

  PERFORANCE- Shaun stating 'kill Phil detached and unremorseful
• Opening Scene

  AO1- WHAT?

  AO2-HOW?

  AO1-non-diegetic score 'Ghost Town' by The Specials that have a sci-fi reggae quality,shot of Shaun looking into the camera smoking a cigarette and drinking a beer, his top collar unbuttoned, opposite Liz who they present a conflict, Diane a David wear glasses and have floral t shirt, reverse shot reverse, liz says ' i want to live a little' shaun says 'we'll start tomorrow. things will change' cuts to the title sequence non- diegetic score of The Blue Wrath By i Monster which has an electronic sci-fi quality,the camera pans to the right showing people in the service industry bagging groceries in sync,wearing the exact same uniform, wipe cuts between each scene,people waiting at bus stop take out phone sin sync,the cuts to young people listen to music walking like zombies nodding their heads with the title on the floor, a boy kicking a football, shaun in flat low angle shadow of someone stumbling forward like a zombie camera pans up towards him, his living room is messy and he goes to play video game when ed reminds him he has work.

  
  

  AO2-film has a linear narrative and focus on the maturation of shaun told through the metaphor of him saving the world.The props of cigarette , beer show setting of a pub illuminate working class british culture, his unbuttoned shirt- long day of work pub is where he can relax, costume of diane and david convey they have cultural capital and like the arts. Shaun saying 'we'll start tommrow' portray him as a slacker and procrastinator , the blue wrath song conveys the theme of a zombie flick, the people in sync foreshadows the forthcoming events also implies that british society already behave like zombies, with shaun its humours as the audience thinks it might be a zombie it foreshadows events and gives a hint of comedy, the messy room of his living room shows he is disorganised and ed and shaun momentarily playing video games perhaps show how he lacks maturity and reinforced by Pete saying later that they still like they are at university. Reminding shaun he has work reinforces the idea that he is a slacker and forgets easily- he forgets to book the restaurant for Liz.
• Ending Scene

  AO1- WHAT

  AO2-HOW

  AO1-TV montage of tv talking about the zombies like BBC TV shows Z-day, tabloid shows like Trisha ' I married a monster' a zombie and Zombie aid charity ' ideal recruits for the service industry camera zooms out as this goes on,low angle shot of Shaun stumbling like a zombie with a cream colored carpet,the living room colour is pink, beige and clean and pastel,'whats the plan then' 'get the Sundays, go to get roast, wander home watch telly, camera zooms in and liz describes their day, liz goes gets tea and Shaun wants to pop into the garden for 'two seconds' Ed is a Zombie chained with drool on his mouth.With purple and black makeup around his eyes.Both play video games.Camera pans to the right where non-dietetic score of Queen's You're My Best Friend

  
  

  A02- In structuralism, binary opposites between ED now zombeifed and Shaun human. Tv montage satirizes how countries react to tragedy/huge events by creating Tv shows to exploit the tragedy creates humor as they are real British TV shows like the BBC and Trisha. The zombies in the service industry show how society is mechanical, robotic and automatic in rituals, the low angle stumbling re incorporates elements form the start like the living room which is now clean as opposed to messy and is more feminine then masculine illuminating the maturation of Shaun. Liz goes to make tea which is a staple of British culture,when Shauns say he wants to go in the shed for 'two seconds' its a reference to Eds frequent phase in the film , illuminating his close friendship with Ed, the make and costume of Ed show how he is now a zombie and illuminates the difference between him and Shaun.Shaun playing video game references the start when he does with Ed at the start, parallelism it shows that Shaun can mature and be a better man for LIz but also be able to keep the child part of himself by playing with his friend. Acting- ed groans and is in a slump position to portray a zombie.The score at the end is Queens ' You're My Best Friend; which the lyrics , happy quality illuminate the close relationship between Ed and Shaun and also perhpas the close relationship between Shaun and Liz.