Shaun Of The Dead

Question 1

What is the narrative (simply) of SOTD?

Answer 1

Shaun’s journey to get to the Winchester following a zombie outbreak, and to become a better and more mature person

Question 2

What is Todorov’s theory?

Answer 2

1. State of equilibrium
2. Distruption to equilibrium
3. Recognition that something has happened
4. Attempt to repair damage
5. Return to new equilibrium

Question 3

What is the main message?

Answer 3

The lengths you would go to to protect your family and friends

Question 4

What are the 4 genre’s of SOTD?

Answer 4

Horror, action, romance and comedy

Question 5

What does the ideology draw attention to?

Answer 5

The impact of technology and the ‘zombification’ of our generation, and the British society - shown in the use of phones, anti-social behaviour, and lack of social skills

Question 6

What is postmodernism?

Answer 6

The transformation of visual and narrative forms

Question 7

How is SOTD a postmodern film?

Answer 7

• challenges the traditional characteristics of a horror
• combines the opposing genres of horror and comedy
• replaces the usually strong / cool lead with an average male
• zombies have a different style to usual zombie movies (dressed in ordinary clothes - suggests that there isn’t much difference between the humans and the zombies
• weapons used are common / ordinary (vinyls, cutlery) - opposes more recognised weapons (guns, knifes) which normally show power

Question 8

What is intertextuality?

Answer 8

This is where a film overlaps with another work of art

Question 9

What are some of the intertextuality examples in SOTD?

Answer 9

• References to spaced - kids chewing gum
• We’re coming to get you Barbara’ - in night of the living dead
• Queen - you’re my best friend at the end
• Many Romero references (rhymes with dawn of the dead, same music from dawn of the dead)

Question 10

Name some of Shaun’s personality traits

Answer 10

Lazy, unmotivated, slacker attitude, not committed, selfless

Question 11

Name some of Ed’s personality traits

Answer 11

Lazy, slobish, thoughtless, funny, unmotivated

Question 12

Name some of Liz’s personality traits

Answer 12

Ambitious, hard working, responsible, strong

Question 13

Name some of Dianne’s personality traits

Answer 13

Dramatic, enthusiastic, positive, calm

Question 14

Name some of David’s personality traits

Answer 14

intelligent, sarcastic, irritating, responsible

Question 15

Name and explain some of the representations of SHAUN

Answer 15

WEAK - he is always influenced by what ed wants
UNINTELLIGENT - forced to work with teenagers
NOT COMMITTED - doesn’t prioritise his and Liz’s relationship (booking the table for their anniversary)

Question 16

Name and explain some of the representations of ED

Answer 16

TEENAGE LIKE - games all day, eats ice cream for breakfast
CONTENT - happy living out of Shaun’s fridge, tagging along with Shaun despite his unexciting, unambitious life
THOUGHTLESS - has no care if anything is offensive, he will say it regardless, for example: “Can I get… any of you cunts… a drink?”

Question 17

Name and explain some of the representations of LIZ

Answer 17

MATURE - breaking up with Shaun, she is growing up and thinking about her future
AMBITIOUS - determined to survive - she is the only one of the group besides Shaun who survived
STRONG - willing to do what has to be done to achieve her goals

Question 18

Name and explain some of the representations of DIANNE

Answer 18

CALM - manages to calm David down after he threatens to kill Shaun, and convinces him to leave
DRAMATIC - decides that defeating the zombies isn’t for her, so she grabs on of David’s leg’s and storms out, never to be seen again

Question 19

Name and explain some of the representations of DAVID

Answer 19

IRRITATING - constantly getting on Shaun’s nerves, for example “For a hero, you’re quite a hypocrite!”
SARCASTIC - says “Somebody has to take control of the situation” when Shaun is gone, although Shaun has been leading and is risking his life to save them

Question 20

Who is the HERO in Propp’s theory?

Answer 20

Shaun - on a mission to solve a problem

Question 21

Who is the VILLAIN in Propp’s theory?

Answer 21

Zombies - stops the hero from succeeding

Question 22

Who is the PRINCESS in Propp’s theory?

Answer 22

Liz - the hero is on a mission to save this character

Question 23

Who is the DONOR in Propp’s theory?

Answer 23

News reporter - gives the hero something to help them

Question 24

Who is the HELPER in Propp’s theory?

Answer 24

Ed - helps / works alongside the hero

Question 25

Who is the FALSE HERO in Propp’s theory?

Answer 25

David - tries to make out as a good guy, but the narrative proves wrong

Question 26

What is the British Filmmaking Industry?

Answer 26

an organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking in the UK
- founded in 1933
- over 10 000 films
- 130 genre’s

Question 27

What is vertical integration?

Answer 27

a company takes complete control of another company