1. Film opening analysis-
Studios- Universal Pictures
Production team- WT2, associated with Big Talk
Director- Edgar Wright
Producer- Alison Owen
Writers- Simon Pegg, Edgar Wright
Main Actors- Simon Pegg(who plays Shaun), Nick Frost (who
plays Ed)
Year that the film was made- 2004 (released 9th April 2004)

2. GENRE- The genre of this film is a “romantic comedy, with zombies” The
stereotypical conventions of this type of film are -
CHARACTERS- pretty women/good looking/or even unappealing men – with
a shown sense of humour within the gestus of the character, also zombies
which show a comedic element when appearing on screen. We see three
unappealing men within the opening, with a sense of humour; however Pete
does not have the same humour as the other two characters, Shaun and
Ed. No main characters, which are female, are shown. In the titles, we see
that the film will include zombies because of the way certain people were
acting, by walking ‘gormlessly’ and hanging their head to one side . This is
shown in the snapshot below.
ICONOGRAPHY- We see flowers (to show romance) and weapons of some
description (to show the theme of zombies). In the opening scene, we do
not see this; therefore it leaves the audience thinking that it is only a
comedy because there are no elements of iconography suggesting these
genres.
THEMES- Within the romantic side of the film, we would stereotypically see love, an
argument between two main characters that are in a relationship and occasionally
sex. Within a comedy, we would see gags, jokes and practical comedy. Within a
zombie themed film, we would see gore, blood, and the ‘living’ dead; however we
could also see the idea of zombies being portrayed in different ways, which is what
we do see in the opening scene. We see people acting like zombies in their
everyday lives in the title sequences, giving away a theme to the film alike the
snapshot above.

3. When watching the opening scene, we first see the titles.We are told the production
team and title of the film. No main characters are introduced within the title
sequence, but the following micro elements establish a theme of the genre, of the
film. This is ‘zombies’. All of the following gives the audience a set idea of what to
expect in the film.
MISE-EN-SCENE-
Clothes- work uniform, everyday clothes like tracksuits, jeans, t-shirts.
Actors- No main characters established, however some characters act like zombies
to show one of the themes/genres by walking, swinging their arms and hanging their
head, showing no emotion, and not talking.
Makeup- No makeup/ natural appearance, this is because the titles is showing
people in a day to day life, working.
Props- Trollies, while someone is at work, mobile phones, which is an everyday item
that is used.
Setting- Shops, on the streets in a town. Once again, this shows an everyday life.
EDITING-Graphic match gives a smooth editing transaction to go from one shot to
another, without using straight cuts.
LIGHTING-uses natural lighting when filming outside and high key lighting when
inside, this shows that the film will be light hearted, which fits into the genre of
comedy.

4. CAMERA-A tracking shot on a dolly is used to follow the man with the trollies and
is also used to have a smooth transaction from one shot to the next.
SOUND-A non-diegetic and up beat composition using trumpets, was used. The
people’s movements in the scene were in time to the music. This music suggests an
up beat and light heartened mood to the rest of the film.
After the titles, there was a scene which introduced the main characters, Shaun and
Ed. We are also introduced to another character called Pete. We are told more about
the themes and genre of the film using micro elements. The main theme established
here is comedy. All of the following gives the audience a set idea of what to expect
and sets a mood for the rest of the film.
MISE-EN-SCENE-
Clothes- Shaun- begins the scene in shorts and a t-shirt. He then, later on changes
into smart trousers, a shirt and tie. This shows that he is a working man. Ed- also is
wearing a t-shirt and shorts, however, he does not change costume during the
scene. Pete- is in a full suit for the entire scene. This shows that he is a working
man, like Shaun, but takes it more seriously.
Actors- Shaun- we are introduced by this character from a low angled tilt which went
upwards. He yawns, this connoted that he is tied or just woken up. He slouches as
he walks and sits down which also shows tiredness. The way he communicates to
Ed is in a friendly, light hearted tone of voice, this shows a friendship between the
two characters. Pete, however is a more mature and serious voice. This connotes
that he wants Pete to think more highly of him. Ed- We are introduced by him sat on
a sofa, with his feet up. He does not move from this position in this scene which
connotes that he is a lazy person. He talks to Shaun in the same what Shaun speaks
to him. He talks to Pete, however, like he does not care about Pete’s opinion. This
connotes that they do not get along. Pete- we can see that Pete down talks both
Shaun and Ed. They take the way he treats them, so he is clearly the more dominant
one.
Makeup- No makeup/ natural appearance are to show that this is their day to day
life. They are men, so they stereotypically wear no makeup.
Props- Toothbrushes, knifes, plates etc. This is to show an average morning. Ed
uses a games console. This could show that he is less mature than the other two.

5. Setting- it is in a house, on a typical English street. This shows where the main
characters live.
EDITING-There is a series of fast cuts to show the passing of time when Shaun is
getting ready for work and again when he is making breakfast. Shot reverse shot is
used during the conversation in the kitchen between Shaun and Pete and again
when Ed is playing a video game, during a conversation between him and Shaun.
Straight cuts are used otherwise.
LIGHTING- Most of the scene is in a high key light to show the light-heartedness
of the film. This also implies that this is how the rest of the film is going to be like.
CAMERA-A tilt shot is used to establish the main character. A slow zoom was
used to focus on the sofa (which is also a long shot), while Shaun is entering the
room. Deep focus was used to identify Pete through a mirror, an over the shoulder
shot was used for this as well. A deep shot was also used at a low angle to show
how untidy Ed is when his phone rings, showing blurred beer cans. Point of view
shots were used while Shaun is getting ready for work, preparing breakfast and Ed is
playing a computer game, there are also extreme close ups when Shaun is eating
toast and brushing his teeth. Mid shots were used when Pete and Shaun were
having a conversation. Two shots are used when Ed and Shaun are sat on the sofa.
This shows that they both have a close relationship.
SOUND-As Shaun enters the scene, the music from the titles stops, and we begin
to hear the ambient sounds of him being in the house, which is Ed playing on a video
game. More ambient sounds are made when he gets ready for work and makes
breakfast, ideas of this are, the brushing of his teeth and spreading jam on toast. For
the rest of the scene we still here Ed playing a video game, however we also hear
dialogue between the three established characters. Although, at the end of the scene
we hear the phone rings, the phone is not answers, leaving questions of who it is for
the audience.
ENIGMA- During the openingof a film, it makes the audience think of
questions to ask, for the rest of the film to answer. In this film, examples of this are-
WHY DOES ED LIVE THERE?

6. WHY DOESN’T ED WORK, LIKE THE PETE
AND SHAUN?
WHY DON’T PETE AND ED GET ALONG?
WHO WAS ON THE OTHER END OF THE
PHONE?
AUDIENCE-this film is targeted at people of the age 15 and above. This is
because the BBFC have given the film this classification, due to the content of strong
comic violence and language. This film is also aimed at the male population because
it contains violence and comedic dialogue.
MY PERSONAL OPINION- I like this film opening because we get
introduced by the main characters. I like the idea of the fast cuts when Shaun gets
ready for work because they make it seem like an action film. (They also use this
technique in Hot Fuzz which uses the same characters and is directed by the same
director) I like the idea that the concept of zombies is carried on throughout the
opening scene. I also like the use of comedy between Shaun and Ed, which
automatically get portrayed as likeable characters and their close relationship is
highlighted throughout the whole of the opening scene.