How Do Mise-en-scene, Performance, and Sound Create Meaning For the Audience In An
Extract From Shaun of The Dead?
The comedy-horror 'Shaun of the Dead' (2004), Directed by Edgar Wright, uses creative and
simplistic mise-en-scene, comical performance and an array of jolly, optimistic and lighthearted sound elements to convey meaning towards the audience. The narrative of the
scene follows on from a previous outbreak of extreme attacks on local residents, resulting in
the towns mutation, becoming a zombie infested population. After acting their way through
hordes of zombies; to get to their safe place. Shaun, his mother, close friend Ed, exgirlfriend Liz and friends David and Dianne reside in their local pub, The Winchester. Whilst
in their supposed sanctuary, the protagonist Shaun (Simon Pegg) and his companions try
and fight off the unexpected, undead owners of the pub.
The sequence begins with Shaun asking his peers "Would anyone like a peanut?" in a
casual tone, as if it’s just another ordinary trip to the pub; contrasting the current situation.
His dialogue is also used first to show it is by his doing that the group are trapped. With the
feeling of an indifferent and awkward day to any other, the spectator is given the sense of
uneasiness by being shown the surroundings which shows a gloomy and eerie use of miseen-scene. Confined by dark walls and props such as the stacked tables and chairs, shows
that the group have had time to try
and prevent any entry from the living
dead, yet they have already
exceeded their usual daily intake of
drinks which is clearly seen through
the cluttered bottles on the table top,
also giving off the sense that they’re
not worried or prepared as they
should be. The groups costume is
casual wear because none of them
expected this to happen. However, with the exception of Shaun, as he wears a white
shirt
01:05:11
which exaggerates the
blood stains from contact with the zombies. This form of mise-en-scene also foreshadows
that something bad is going to happen to David (Dylan Moran) - the character on the far right
- as his costume and body seem to be blacked out, whereas the other four characters are all
lit by natural light. We can also assume this as his character is positioned away from the
group, making him seem more vulnerable. However, it can be argued that the dark lighting
of David is used as a code to signify that he may be the antagonist of the group - seen
through his negative attitude - and/or he may have a hidden agenda, plotted against the
group.
Following the unanswered silence, interaction within the group begins with Shaun trying to
create light-hearted discussion but fails when tension begins to show through Ed's (Nick
Frost) stern vocal delivery when saying "I'm not a performing monkey" after Shaun tries to
entertain people through Ed. Straight after this build-up of tension, the street lights outside of
the pub light up, due to the power turning on again. This change to the scene brings a quick
sense of optimism and hope that something good is going to happen shown through Shaun's
dedicated attitude. However, still being left in the darkness of the pub, once again suggests
something bad is going to happen within the pub itself.
Due to the power turning back on in the streets: Shaun leaves the group to switch the power
for the pub on by the mains. Whilst he walks out the room, non-diegetic sound is played
featuring a heartbeat noise, putting
the audience on edge and feel
anticipation, making them question
whether something wrong is going
happen. The consistent use of
combining dark scenery, eerie
noises and characters singled from
others, creates a negative feeling
to
towards the spectator. After switching the power on, Shaun carries on
01:06:34
lingering away from the group and becomes curious of what the other
switches do. In doing so, Shaun unknowingly turns a light on by the door he is stood next to
and to his surprise a horde of zombies are waiting there. This is quickly followed by diegetic
sound of the zombies and the return of the non-diegetic heartbeat. Instead of a fearful or
panicked reaction, his character comically switches off the light and pulls down the blind as if
the flimsy material will protect him from the many others that are on the other side of the
glass. It’s his laid-back performance that brings laughter for the audience as he should be
doing something else other than ignoring the dangerous situation. This part of the extract
also shows how Shaun is actually a wimp, which is the opposite of what we expect the
'heroic' protagonist to be.
Rushing away from the situation, we hear and see the violent shaking of a door which is
used to unnerve the audience and also question who is behind the door. How many there
are and how long it will take for them to get through. As the group reform and gather around
the television the classic 'beeping' of the tv tells us no signal is found, hinting that there are
no survivors; worrying the viewer. To add a comical view to this high amount of tension, Ed
casually approaches Liz (Kate Ashfield) and randomly asks for "a quid": leaving the
spectator confused yet amused as there’s no need for the money. As well as this, the
audience questions what the money is for as Ed walks out of shot, leaving us with the view
of Shaun and Liz.
Liz's character tries to make light of the situation by saying "Never anything on is there?" but
already knowing the answer for herself as it’s said in a nervous tone. As she tries to mask
her fear, this contrasts with Shaun's character, as we see him staring into thin air with a
shocked expression. The next few lines of Shaun's speech is delivered in a convincingly
worried manner, which in turn affects how the viewer feels because we expect to see the
protagonist of the film feel brave and courageous, whereas his performance gives off the
adverse effect.
The repeated sound of the diegetic heart beat raises the tension felt and like before, a
comical line of speech followed by an
action is used to make the dangerous
situation appear absolutely harmless.
This is done by Liz trying to reassure
Shaun by saying "We just have to be
extra quiet then." This is immediately
interrupted by the fruit machine in the
background; where we finally find out
what Ed wanted the money for.
Cleverly, the prop of the fruit machine is
based around 'Dracula' - a classic horror connecting the genres together - and
01:07:44
as Shaun rushes and unplugs the machine to prevent the chaotic noise, the sound fades out
with a distorted scream. Hinting that's what is to come. By combining the prop with the
narrative, we are able to see more about Ed and how he is extremely immature and lacks
responsibility.
After this, the mise-en-scene gets more eerie when shadows of zombies start to bang and
crowd around the windows of the pub. This starts to scare the audience as we can clearly
see and identify the danger. The staging of the group are positioned closely to one another
after they’re surprised by one of the owners of the pub, who appears from behind and is a
zombie. The manipulation of make-up, costume and performance from the dead owner
creates a sense of verisimilitude, in which the situation seems completely realistic; even
though it’s also comical. With the audience on edge, diegetic sound of the music track 'Don't Stop Me Now, Queen' - playing out of the juke box takes almost all of the fright out of
the scene and replaces it with something laughable. This comical side is built-up even more
with the performance of each individual as they’re given tasks to do by Shaun. This dialogue
by Shaun is given instantaneous as if it’s a clever plan but it seems the opposite because of
what he says. Starting off with a sensible instruction, telling Dianne (Lucy Davis) to "Get
mum somewhere safe" then humorously confuses David when telling him to "Kill the queen"
- meaning the juke box. Finally, he tells Liz and Ed to "find something weapony", which by
this point, the viewer knows Shaun is unsure of what to do because of his uncertain but
quick vocal delivery, and his puzzled expression. To find weapons, we can tell they struggle
because of the way of their uncertain body language and how their facial expressions
appear.
Whilst the group are staged one
next to each other, they brainstorm
ideas such as using a shot gun or
setting alight alcohol, which the
audience understand that the
situation has again become serious,
due to the violent and aggressive
ideas. However, instead of
choosing the options that would get
01:09:00
rid of the zombie the quickest; a humorous option is chosen. Adding more
comedy can be to the scene, instead of the scene lacking entertainment.
Shaun dives over the snooker table as if he’s an action hero and dives back after grabbing
snooker cues as their chosen weapon. With their body language still nervous and clueless,
the spectator is left confused as they’re unsure of the damage that the snooker cue will
create. With the continuous sound track by Queen still playing in the background, the group
choreograph a circular routine around the zombie, hitting it to the beat. This makes it seem
as if the attacking is part of a game, adding towards the comedy value.
The scene then focuses on David as
he struggles when shutting off the
power. Returning where Shaun was
when fixing the power, we’re lead
back to the darkened room with a
vulnerable character. He rushes and
in turn the scene features cutaways
from different areas of both inside
01:09:32
and outside the pub, showing flashing lights revealing the sight of the crowd of zombies.
Again the use of a dark setting, exaggerated make-up and costume create tension and panic
for the audience. After attracting too much attention, the zombies break through the glass
and doors, entering the staging where the group are supposed to be safe. Most of all, the
scene show that their plan of not letting the zombies on the premises failed miserably.
Finishing the attack, Shaun, Ed
and Liz give up using the snooker
cues and use more extreme force;
by using a fire extinguisher, darts which Shaun ends up getting hit
by - and in the end using the
shotgun to force the zombie into
the juke box, finally 'killing the
queen' and the zombie. Straight
after, this shot finishes by the
01:10:26
interaction of Shaun and Ed, with Ed asking sarcastically "Why didn't you just
shoot him?". This finishes with Shaun denying that the gun works, and
confidently pulling the trigger to prove Ed wrong. Yet to everyone's surprise, a bullet is fired
and ends the scene.
Word Count: 1823