Shaun Of The Dead - Analysis of opening scene


 Shaun Of The Dead - Analysis of opening scene

- Shaun and Liz’s relationship: many people are shown to interfere in their relationship as there is always someone framed in between the two of them. Shaun makes a lot of promises that he never goes through with and does not listen to Liz. The very first image of Shaun is him ignoring what Liz is saying about what their relationships needs. Shaun likes his comfortable and easy lifestyle, to which he is already well adjusted to and does not want change, while Liz needs something new and spontaneous to do to save their relationship. Liz is also worried that she is missing out in life and that if she does not change soon she will be very unhappy in the future. The Winchester Tavern is a representation of this. It is comfortable and easy for Shaun, but for Liz is just a demonstration of the lack of effort from Shaun’s side. He does not like the new and unknown because it would force him to change the routine which he is so used to at this point. 

- Shaun’s friendship with Ed: for Shaun, the friendship with Ed is familiar and easy, just like the Winchester. They have been friends for a long time (over 20 years) and are comfortable around each other, but Ed does not let Shaun grow up, develop curiosity about new things, become a more mature person…Ed does not allow Shaun to evolve and Shaun lets it happen. They both like the dependence on each other as it is effortless, even though since Liz broke up with him some part of Shaun seems to understand and dislike the situation at some point. Their performance is the easiest way to differentiate this. How close they are positioned in most frames, how they talk comfortably and seem to have a daily routine (for example, when they are playing video games).

- Shaun’s relationship with his family: it is obvious from their first interaction in the store that Shaun and Philip do not like each other. The audience see Philip from Shaun’s perspective too, as the sombre music and lighting suddenly take place when Philip makes his first appearance.  “He is not my dad, he is my step-dad” is Shaun’s response when someone asumes or says that Philip is his dad, which hints the audience that their problem is about Philip’s role in the family as well as the fact that his real dad is not (and probably never was) there for him. The shots, music and editing present Philip as an evil and strict character. These family issues would have more sense if Shaun was actually a teenager instead of an almost 30 year old man. The family drama of this kind seems out of place. Shaun resents Philip in spite of having been married to his mum, Barbara, for over 15 years. In some way, Philip resents Shaun as well for not talking and visiting Barbara more often, so their rivalry seems justified in a way. 

- Shaun’s own personal development: Shaun evolves through the film as the circumstances of the apocalypse forces him to do it. He is forced to take responsibility and the lead to save his friends/family and himself. The double shots push the audience to notice the little details that Shaun changes as the film goes on and he seems to be more conscious about his responsibilities. He does not listen to Liz, in spite of it being about a serious topic like their relationship, and depends on Ed for serious and important things. Shaun learns to take the lead, just like Liz wanted. 

Film form:
- Fast editing and long cuts.
- Perfectly-in-sync music and action.
- Dynamic.
- Fun editing and ironic.
- Over the shoulder shot.
- Shot-reverse-shot which creates alignment.
- Eye lines.
- Shaun’s performance. 
- Three supporting characters that are in the middle of Shaun’s and Liz’s relationship. They are getting in between them and this is shown by the way it is shot. 
- Clothes (binary opposites). 

Binary opposites:
Working class                                Middle class
Pub                                                    Restaurant
Pint                                                    Wine
Ed                                                      Davs and Di
Shaun                                                 Liz
Creased shirt                                     Liz + Davs + Di clothes








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