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