Peformance

Question 1

How is performance used in the opening scene?

Answer 1

• Shaun (Simon Pegg) has a vacant and mindless facial expression (detached from his surroundings)
• Liz talks about how she wants to “live a little” and Di supports that by suggesting going to visit grand places
• David has a critical and distasteful mind about Shaun and Ed.

Question 2

How is performance used in the credits scene?

Answer 2

• The choreographed performance in each group is all the same and synchronised
• Shaun walking along the carpet in a tired state he doesn’t walk in a straight line
• Shaun also stumbles and groans

Question 3

Why does Simon Pegg (Shaun) have a vacant/mindless expression in the opening sequence?

Answer 3

• Detached from his surroundings
• His behaviour and appearance are already synonymous like that of a zombie as he appears to have no aspirations or meaningful thoughts

Question 4

In the credits scene, what is shown when Liz talks about wanting to ‘live a little’ and Di suggesting places?

Answer 4

It is reflective of the short-sighted perspective of the middle class who have more prospective futures whereas the working class have an attitude of putting up with what they have.

Question 5

In the credits scene, what does the synchronized choreography show?

Answer 5

• Conveys the idea that all people behave and think in unison
• Shows a lack of personal identity, individuality and free will

Question 6

At the end of the credits scene, what could Shaun being unable to walk in a straight line show?

Answer 6

• Could represent Shaun’s rebellion towards capitalism but still tries to passively conform to society’s strict boundaries and expectations

Question 7

What does Shaun stumbling and groaning at the end of the credits scene show?

Answer 7

• Behaviour synonymous with that of a zombie
• Society already living like zombies

Question 8

How is performance used in Shaun’s work scene?

Answer 8

• Shaun crossing the roads without looking for any approaching cars
• Shaun and the passengers look like mindless zombies and are detached from their surroundings. They all have vacant expression and swaying to bus movements

Question 9

What does Shaun not paying attention to the roads show in Shaun’s work sequence?

Answer 9

A representation of a careless teenager, showing how he is caught in a transitionary stage between adulthood and childhood.

Question 10

How is the behaviour of Shaun and the passengers significant in Shaun’s work sequence?

Answer 10

• Complements the sound choice
• They metaphorically enslaved by capitalist society.
• The name of the band Zombie Nation could also refer to the captivation over one aspect of life that the other aspects and surroundings are ignored which complements Shaun and the passengers.