Title Sequence Analysis

Title Sequence begins as 3:07 and ends at apporximately 3:55 for all intents and purposes.

 

     Monotony is clearly the theme of this title sequence; the whole sequence illustrates and emphasizes how zombie-like society can be and how people fall into a routine and stick to it, never faltering, just doing the same thing again and again.  Really, that’s what the entire movie, “Shaun of the Dead,” is about.

     The monotony is shown by shots of synchronized acts conducted by people in similar clothing.  In the second little scene its grocery store cashiers, clad in white, going about their repitive droll jobs, their faces marked by apathy expressions.  The second little scene is several men in gray-ish jackets answering or checking their phones like they most likely do every day.  The clip after that is a little less droll, but, also monotonous as young adults and teenagers in hooded sweatshirts meander down an alleyway, with blank facial expressions.  Followed by that, is a boy playing soccer an empty street and he focuses only on the repetitive task of juggling his soccer bowl, and, again, the character has a blank expression. 

   The monotony is also enforced by the monochromatic color scheme of each shot and little scene in the title sequence.  The first one, of the man slowly and drearly pushing the shopping cart is mostly in hues of blue.  The second one, in the gorcery store is primarially white with some pale blue and nothing really stands out.   Third, the men at the bus stop, is primarially gray and brown.  The hooded teenagers break this pattern, but, probably only to highlight and display the title of the movie on the street, effectively.  The boy playing soccer is not totally monochrome either, but the colors are washed out and nothing is vibrant.  In fact, nothing is vibrant throughout the entirety of the sequence, everything blends in, reiniforcing the social commentary of how a person’s life can become very zombie-like and detached.

   The music adds to the monotony as well as the tone and beat of the music simply repeats over and over and matches to the rhythm at which the characters on screen move. 

    The rhythmic repition in each perfectly balanced shot creates a monotonous mood, but, manages to stay interesting; though tedious, the sequence is not boring, perhaps, because the monotony is actually interesting and causes the viewer (provided they catch on) to reflect on the monotony of their own life.  This is probably also helped by how well each frame and scene flows into the next one – it is seamless.

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