Shaun Of The Dead Flashcards
What is the narrative (simply) of SOTD?
Shaun’s journey to get to the Winchester following a zombie outbreak, and to become a better and more mature person
What is Todorov’s theory?
- State of equilibrium
- Distruption to equilibrium
- Recognition that something has happened
- Attempt to repair damage
- Return to new equilibrium
What is the main message?
The lengths you would go to to protect your family and friends
What are the 4 genre’s of SOTD?
Horror, action, romance and comedy
What does the ideology draw attention to?
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
What is postmodernism?
The transformation of visual and narrative forms
How is SOTD a postmodern film?
- 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
What is intertextuality?
This is where a film overlaps with another work of art
What are some of the intertextuality examples in SOTD?
- 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)
Name some of Shaun’s personality traits
Lazy, unmotivated, slacker attitude, not committed, selfless
Name some of Ed’s personality traits
Lazy, slobish, thoughtless, funny, unmotivated
Name some of Liz’s personality traits
Ambitious, hard working, responsible, strong
Name some of Dianne’s personality traits
Dramatic, enthusiastic, positive, calm
Name some of David’s personality traits
intelligent, sarcastic, irritating, responsible
Name and explain some of the representations of SHAUN
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)
Name and explain some of the representations of ED
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?”
Name and explain some of the representations of LIZ
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
Name and explain some of the representations of DIANNE
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
Name and explain some of the representations of DAVID
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
Who is the HERO in Propp’s theory?
Shaun - on a mission to solve a problem
Who is the VILLAIN in Propp’s theory?
Zombies - stops the hero from succeeding
Who is the PRINCESS in Propp’s theory?
Liz - the hero is on a mission to save this character
Who is the DONOR in Propp’s theory?
News reporter - gives the hero something to help them
Who is the HELPER in Propp’s theory?
Ed - helps / works alongside the hero
Who is the FALSE HERO in Propp’s theory?
David - tries to make out as a good guy, but the narrative proves wrong
What is the British Filmmaking Industry?
an organisation which promotes and preserves filmmaking in the UK
- founded in 1933
- over 10 000 films
- 130 genre’s
What is vertical integration?
a company takes complete control of another company
