Shaun of the Dead - Why Comedy Needs Character

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Edgar Wright films are always full of flashy, fun style, but what makes them so memorable is their equal focus on substance. This video looks at how everything in Shaun of the Dead-from supporting characters to the rise of zombies-is designed to enhance character.
Produced by: Michael Tucker ( / michaeltuckerla )
Written by: Brian Bitner ( / brianbitner )
Edited by: Alex Calleros ( / alex_calleros )
Edgar Wright Interview: www.tribute.ca/interviews/edg...
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Thanks to Diego Rojas for composing original music for this video and this channel! Check out more of his work: / diegorojasguitar
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[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

What’s your favorite Edgar Wright film? I’ll start-Scott Pilgrim vs. the World!

[@luisalcantara7834]

Ant Man is one of my favorites

[@tdfern1]

That be interesting.

[@aidanyelsma7762]

I would say the World's End

[@efroster123]

I did not see this coming on my subscription feed. My favorite Edgar Wright film is Baby Driver

[@BrutalSnuggles]

I always miss when you're gone, Michael!! And probably Hot Fuzz :)

[@ImOutsideTheBox]

"Love you Ed" "Gaaaaayy" Most realistic dialogue ever

[@otiagomarques]

Only Edgar Wright can turn a fart joke into an emotional scene

[@forgottenpotato9868]

I never thought I'd cry while a fat guy farted in front of his friend...

[@onismklexos]

... Swiss Army Man ;)

[@nebulater3317]

Yesss Swiss Army Man is amazing! 🙌

[@thePANDEMlC]

Someone hasn't seen Swiss Army Man, the directors of that turned a fart joke into an entire movie. All of which are stemmed from emotional, purposeful and existential moments.

[@inca5aztec4]

Or Will Sharpe in the British series "Flowers."

[@fisto3154]

"you ever take a shortcut before?" I love the way that this is a running gag too. Shaun of the dead- Falling over and breaking the fence, Hot Fuzz- Actually jumps the fences however his partner breaks the fence again. A worlds end- The entire fence row breaks. Its like an easter egg whilst being a comedic joke. That is the best part of the directing of these movies.

[@KoriEmerson]

Fisto It also uses the tribal psychology of “ the inside joke” Everyone that has seen the pictures before worlds end get it and we laugh . The people who are not of our tribe don’t get it . The tribe sees them not laughing and know who they are.

[@LostCosmonauts]

There's a girl in the garden.

[@aberrantcow]

Erick Wright “What?” “...In the garden, there is a girl...”

[@benszemerenyi7113]

SHE’S SO DRUNK

[@Mick0Mania]

I like your work! Oh wait... Wrong Wright... I love your work! Though I wish you gave me a crazy new way to play Spirit Breaker instead of something practical.

[@lukess.s]

In the garden. There is a girl.

[@refusingtoconform]

You've got red on you.

[@sickdoodles908]

For more examples of callback humor, in act 1, Nick Frost's character describes a plan to cheer up Simon Pegg, which included plot details for the rest of the film.

[@camila____]

And also when the music starts playing in the pub, first after the break up and then during the zombie fight. "It's on random"

[@princessthyemis]

Yeah, that part is absolutely genius! It's so detailed that you probably don't even notice it at first. I didn't know until it was pointed out to me!

[@harrisont2004]

And the whole red on you thing. And the winchester rifle. Or the whole, “do you want to live like an animal? Go live in the shed line.” Omg there’s just so much.

[@judgedeathplays837]

"Next time I see him hes dead"

[@cheegan]

@@camila____ when ed says "cock it" in frustration instead of "fuck it" then when the gun doesn't work he says cock it in frustration as well as the gun needing to be cocked.

[@sharathsh9987]

This, Hot Fuzz, and The World's End are some of the best comedies ever made!

[@baktru]

I watched the World's End having no idea what kind of thing I was starting to watch. I never laughed so hard in my life.

[@fricken99]

Calm Down.

[@zakatalmosen5984]

@White-Van Helsing to be honest I watched it knowing it was about aliens because of the colour coding and it's still my favourite Edgar Wright movie, and it's in my top 5 favourite movies of all time

[@Loonaurtheworld]

HELL YEAH THE CORNETTO TRILOGY

[@benjamim8046]

Edgar Wright made 4 of my top 5 fav movies lol

[@RealEngineering]

LFTS and my favourite movie. Never clicked so fast.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:D

[@ambalon]

When the channels you like like each other. nice

[@lifesimulator3964]

Real Engineering Oh may Gad. It's the Irish Engineer!

[@ethandickinson4016]

Why are you here. Damn

[@samarvora7185]

That was unexpected!

[@definitelynottommywiseau3037]

A perfect comedy movie.

[@jarltrippin]

A perfect movie.

[@elliottknifton8902]

Oh hi Johnny I didn't know it was you

[@stingerjohnny9951]

@@elliottknifton8902 that’s meeeee

[@TheTryHardian]

“Zom-Rom-Com” is my new favorite genre and I hope we can see more of this

[@vicenteortegarubilar9418]

Lessons from the screenplay and Edgar Wright?? Yes please, I was missing this channel and suddenly it comes back with a great subject matter.

[@randomcommenter7343]

One of the best possible combinations there is, I reckon

[@miasummers3886]

Yap. To me, the next few videos could be about his work. I so want a Lessons from the Screenplay video about "Hot Fuzz"

[@Supernaturlisch]

I just got a whole new appreciation of this movie, Edgar Wright, and Simon Pegg. Jesus. The way his roommates represent his need and weakness? GENIUS.

[@DarkAngelEU]

It's rather obvious. The genius part is how to make it not annoying to the audience.

[@dbrokensoul]

Almost all of his movies are like that. And even after several watch you might still not realized it.

[@Phantom-kc9ly]

And when Shaun has finally fully developed into who he wants to be his old habits and future worries are literally killed off.

[@JewelCookie123]

would love to see you deconstruct hot fuzz! in my opinion, it's one of the most well-made films ever. no scene is wasted and everything from start to finish was hilarious, I've rewatched it at least 5 times and it always delights me

[@pathowgate2544]

JewelCookie123 far superior to Shaun of the dead. I’ve seen hot fuzz way too many times

[@LudicrouslyLiam]

I think I've watched it over 100 times. Still find new things in that film.

[@sierra3644]

my immediate reaction after finishing hot fuzz was “wow that was the best movie ive ever seen in my life” and i feel the same after every watch

[@dbrokensoul]

Can't deny it. It was on cable some years ago and I and my brother watched it at least once every day. My mom was confused why we keep watching the same movie lol.

[@AndiRFauzi]

5 times? That's a rookie number

[@eduardo_corrochio]

"Shaun of the Dead" fires on all cylinders, such a super comedy/horror/satire film-- with excellent script, style, pacing, characters, music, and makeup. Just watched it last weekend again, and it's a joy every time I experience it. (Favorite line = "We're coming to get you, Barbara!" which is a funny nod to Johnny in NOTLD)

[@MoooseBlood]

You've got red on you.

[@gumfireparalax1371]

I've got red on you.

[@joshuaespinoza8325]

OH I DETECT A LITTLE COMMUNISM

[@yt-sh]

You've got red on you.

[@atakanamaogullar6745]

You got red on everyone

[@nicks288]

This movie will never get old for me. The perfect zombie movie.

[@TheCloserLook]

Nice video :)

[@bestofmovieanalysisandvide1452]

Loving how we've had a new nerdwriter , closer look and lessons from screenplay video all within a week :) keep up the good work

[@GermaphobeMusic]

For some reason I thought Every Frame a Painting uploaded and almost had a heart attack.

[@sardette]

lol

[@verenal9910]

I do miss their videos!

[@HAL-vm3wn]

That thought makes me kind of sad. God, I miss that channel

[@yuteyang6811]

why the hell he stopped

[@camslam717]

@@GermaphobeMusic Damn that sucks I miss their stuff. Great film analytic stuff I just couldn't get enough of their stuff.

[@Crippycooke]

Now people understand why critics love this movie so much. It’s so layered. All the hard work on character and the incredible script has paid off.

[@imadsiddiqui5135]

My favourite channel does a video on one of my favourite movies. Just what I needed today.

[@TheCamcamTV]

One of the best zombie movies ever!

[@thelytz9806]

So basically Shaun of the Dead is the perfect movie

[@stingerjohnny9951]

Pretty much, yeah

[@Truthguy73]

The little detail about the guy who thought dogs cant look up was also a great idea!

[@MitchellD249]

I feel like every time I see somebody talk about this movie I learn something new that I missed in my own viewing and that deepens my respect of it. In this case, the roommates being representations of what he could be seems so obvious now but I just never thought about it that way. Before this video it was "WE'RE COMING TO GET YOU BARBARA!"

[@mskipper19]

The last scene when Ed says "I'm sorry, Shaun" is a hilarious callback, and one of the most touching moments in any movie I've seen.

[@1060michaelg]

"Is the coast clear? Shaun: No... How many? Shaun: Lots... LOLOL!!! One of the great sight gags, Shaun tiny stepping up the slide, a few seconds, tiny stepping down and we get the above dialogue...BRILLIANT!

[@1060michaelg]

@FructoseComa Yeah, I wish I could have it on a hologram loop to play before me whenever I please...yeah, like THAT'S gonna happen!

[@GorgeDawes]

Ed does essentially the same earlier in the film when he opens the curtains to see if the zombies are still in the back garden.

[@liamdawson6129]

People keep telling me "Liam, you should go back to school and study film". I'm like "Nah, Mike got me covered".

[@Brother7902]

i wanted to comment on how it literally cheers my day to see a new upload from you and found myself reading to hundreds of similar comments, thanksss!

[@adamdrakestudio]

everything from the music used, to the way the graphics and text flow to your voice.

[@samsonmcharaly8536]

Weird how he only directed 5 films

[@peterafro]

*6 , assuming you are forgetting A Fistful of Fingers

[@npcimknot958]

he spends a lot of time on them

[@samsonmcharaly8536]

peter afro nope I just think 5 of them are professional considering their budget

[@BLUE5294]

Hot Fuzz is a masterpiece of several different genres so really he's made 10

[@dbrokensoul]

If every movie he directed always have at least that much amount of quality, then I can live with 5 movies per 14 years. That's a small price to pay.

[@DroiMedia]

LFTS is as much a movie review channel focused on scripts as it is a practical book report on some of the heavy-hitting and legacy books on writing screenplays. Theory, breakdowns, and how-to's all at once. Definitely one of the channels I enjoy seeing the most when it pops up in my feed. Keep up the fantastic job, Michael!

[@jackjackbecker]

I learned a lot here. Every character has weakness, needs, and desire. Character's are defined by who they aren't . Surrounding your mc with people who represent their struggles is really interesting.

[@justinreyes5042]

At 30 I was totally at that place where I needed something to change my life. Thank God it didn't take a zombie apocalypse

[@erik7131]

For me it was psychedelics

[@icecreamalacarte]

@Justin Catastrophe, though terrible is what's needed for good men (women obviously too) to step up. World altering trickle-down type survival is what Shawn needed. Most everyman would too. World Wars prove this fact

[@mch5392]

Agree on DJD &c. here, sometimes you just need external push to make the decision for you.

[@Z3AL316]

It never ceases to amaze me how much of a masterpiece this film is

[@battleupsaber462]

I'm going to watch this video while having a nice cold pint.

[@MrElias760]

Don't forget waiting for all this to blow over.

[@scrm4297]

the coolers off, it might be a bit warm

[@1060michaelg]

@BattleUp Saber --- "It's a little warm, the cooler's out, love." "That's all right, babe." LOL!!

[@CKSiLoYT]

That moment when Ed & Shaun touch heads after sharing a stupid fucking joke has stuck with me throughout all these years, brotherly love I'd want with my friends. Very special film.

[@NakedSnake541]

I have been eagerly waiting for a new video so much! Can't wait for the next one

[@cjbroskin1327]

The perfect video to wait for everything to blow over.

[@xxxchocolatechipzxxx]

This was so well said, I did not expect it to be so fantastically analyzed

[@rebeccagibbs4128]

i love how Shaun forgives ed, and even keeps him in the shed to revisit occasionally. Fits in well with the compartmentalizing that happens in your 20s, where you (hopefully) can find a healthy balance and forgive the former you that was, well, a hot mess. LOL

[@alejandromatos1670]

Wow, I think this is one of fav videos you've made. I love how you take apart the story to show the most basic elements and how the final product is just those elements with more stuff added. Great!

[@mrmhj9925]

Ed: “any zombies out there?” Shaun: “don’t say that!” Ed: “what?” Shaun: “that! The Z word don’t say it.” Ed: “why not?” Shaun: “because it’s ridiculous” Ed: “alright. Are there any out there though?” Shaun: “I can’t see any, maybe it’s not bad as all that..oh wait there they are” 😆 Love it 🤘❤️🧟‍♂️

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

1:14 Character Comes First 3:32 The Story World is an Expression of the Protagonist. 6:24 Comedy Enhances Character.

[@Tipzyyy]

crazy how absolutely timeless wrights films are

[@ssnets77]

Love all of your video essays, Michael! Thanks for making this one in particular, as Shaun of the Dead is my favorite Edgar Wright film.

[@TheCamcamTV]

Glad to see you back LFTS!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks!

[@BorisBerlin]

Thank you for this great video essay. I always learn something from your well researched work.

[@palavens]

Bought John Truby's book because of this channel and I've been taking notes on these very same sections for the past few days - fantastic how this video's arrival is so aligned with what I'm working on now in my own screenplay! Thanks for another amazing video! You're so helpful with your analysis!

[@jdery25]

Fantastic analysis LFTS! My absolute favorite channel and one of my favorite directors/films. I'd love to see a piece on Mad Men and its relationship between the moral premise, character, and setting. Regardless, you have my full support, LFTS. People are listening.

[@RyanUptonInnovator]

I came for the zombies, I stayed for the in depth fart joke analysis.

[@BehindtheCurtain]

This should be his channel description. "You'll come for the zombies, you'll stay for the in depth fart joke analysis."

[@therovingchessclub]

I needed this! 😍 So good to hear you again!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:D

[@hag_13]

shaun of the dead is one of my favorite movies! I saw you upload the video and never clicked on anything so fast in my life. your videos are so well thought out and properly put, they’re art. thank you so much for what you do.

[@genesis1720ify]

This made my day. Now do the rest of the trilogy PLEASE!!! Sincerely, A Fan

[@danicecabanela24]

This is fantastic. Thank you so much for this breakdown of a terrific film.

[@HAL-vm3wn]

Hey Michael, big fan of yours. What i wanted to say: in your Video about Inglourious Basterds, you did something simple, but genius. In one shot, you pulled IB out of your Blu Ray - shelf. Standing on it's left side were the movies you had done up to that point, on the right side were the ones you intended to do in the near future. You sadly had to change the list, but i loved that idea. My point: would you please name some of the movies you are going to do? Not necessarily all of them, and not in the exact order, but i would like to know some to look forward to. Another thing, i would like to see videos on some older movies, like Casablanca, Gone With The Wind, Frank Capra or Billy Wilder movies; but that's up to you of course. Keep up the great work and more importantly, take care of yourself! You are one of my favorite youtubers and I'm looking forward to anything you'll do.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Hey! So, the lesson I learned from that moment (which I was excited that people picked up on) is that planning ahead is hard and can change pretty dramatically. Honestly, I haven't had a plan that goes more than one or two movies into the future in a long time. But I am going to get on top of that going into next year, and maybe I can find a way to share that with people when I do. And definitely going to do some older movies soon...Casablanca is one of my favorites...

[@Loufilmmaker]

Just finished making my first feature film here in France, I gotta say : your videos are always a must-see. To me, they're motivational. Keep making them, and I'll keep watching and making movies :)

[@obama281]

The Cornetto trilogy is the king (pun intended) of callback humor

[@nikkiiwithani]

Oof I've been binging and re-binging your videos and other channels with similar content because you've got me addicted to these kind of videos. I've had adapted this kind of analysis in my everyday life, moreover in most movies I now watch (which may make me a pain to watch movies with). Just want to say that you have great content that is relevant and impactful (to me that is). Thanks for the new video!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

What a compliment, thank you! (And I get that whole being-a-pain-to-watch-movies-with thing!)

[@d.ml.g9902]

My mom taught me that since I was little, hence why I rather watch thriller or drama movies by myself since i analyze everything and sorta get the ending and my friends get all pissy about it lol

[@Magicconchshell1]

Since it’s Halloween, it should be Lessons from the “Scream”play

[@cgbodytube]

New time fan. Love the vids and your podcasts on Shaun, groundhog and searching were soooooo good. Thank you.

[@TestSubjectNerd]

Shaun of the Dead is one of my favourite movies of all time. You've wonderfully illustrated so many of the reasons I completely adore it. Fantastic work as ever!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Awesome, thanks Katie!

[@grant6445]

I’m just gonna wait in the bar and wait till this whole thing blows over

[@NotQuiteFirst]

Very nice. So the film seems to be about trying to avoid being turned into a zombie, but it's really about not realising that you actually are a zombie and trying to turn into a human

[@Dictator-lf8rv]

I love how, 90% of the movies you make a video on, are like my all time favorites. Cool vid :)

[@route682]

Finally! I have been waiting for your video on Shaun of the dead for a while and this is better than what I had hoped. Well done.

[@mickyjankis9542]

Worth the wait

[@facundobaldivia1914]

Muchas gracias por compartir este análisis de Edgar Right y su estilo como cineasta. Me encantó el vídeo y es muy informativo. También agradezco mucho los subtítulos en español. Están perfectos y se entiende a la perfección. Saludos. 😊👍👏

[@go3119]

I so look forward to your videos! You don’t post often but when you do, it’s quality!!!

[@quanahdaniels8710]

I bought The Anatomy of Story because of your channel. And I knew exactly what you were going to say before you said it. I can now see what a lot of movies are doing or what they are about to do. And this is some next level writing. Thank you for bringing my awareness to this book.

[@rishikamath6718]

Michael, LOVE your channel. Have learned loads from it. What you do well is analysing the stuff screenwriters do right. Would be interesting to see an analysis of the Transformers Movies and why they have got progressively worse. After all, the first one got a few things right.

[@twstf8905]

Lol someone should create a KZbin channel dedicated to the deconstruction and analysis of this channel's ability to so perfectly and cleverly segue into a Skillshare advertisement 👍

[@ZackBellGames]

Michael, what a great vid! Edgar Wright is one of my faves, for sure! I appreciate you and all that you do. I apply content from your vids to both my writing and game development work. Keep up the great work

[@lucaszarate9469]

Just the firsts scenes setup this characters are gold good video

[@TickleMeSenpai]

I like your channel, I appreciate the analytical skills you display.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks!

[@JustKrin]

Zom rom com, I love that name

[@skittlechan160]

One of my fav movie all the time! Thank you LFTS 💕

[@AntlersAreCool]

Always happy to see a new Lessons From the Screenplay in my feed. Also props, got to be the smoothest ad transitions on KZbin.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thanks!

[@Jzphh]

"Yeah boy!" shaun of the dead "Yeah roy!" hot fuzz

[@osheenyeeha1162]

Happy Halloween everybody! p.s. Loved the video

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Happy Halloween! 🎃

[@FinalFilmProduction]

FANTASTIC! Keep up the great work!!!!!!

[@fiazrahman4552]

Love this video, love your channel! So educational

[@nilaykachalia]

FINALLY WE HAVE EDGAR WRIGHT!!!

[@AnAmericanComposer]

What was the music from the intro!? I loved it!

[@DylanTurner]

Scott Pilgrim vs the World OST - Death to All Hipsters

[@TerrestrialTeeth-oe7xe]

it's from a movie called scott pilgrim vs the world

[@maxconstantine2357]

it was originally in shaun of the dead though

[@TerrestrialTeeth-oe7xe]

@@maxconstantine2357 sorry for the late reply but it was definitely not in shaun of the dead, as a huge fan of both scott pilgrim and shaun of the dead i know that

[@TomEyeTheSFMguy]

@@maxconstantine2357 Ok, where's your proof?

[@pilo754]

Absolutely brilliant video essay, well done!

[@chance_ondriezek99]

Yes! I’ve been waiting for you to talk about this. One of my all-time favorite movies by one of my all-time favorite directors.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:)

[@lgrace3239]

Happy Halloween Michael (not Meyers lol)! Always excited to watch your vids!! :)

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

:P Happy Halloween!

[@r3ckonner997]

But Doc said Michael Myer masks...

[@EclipsedEquinox]

"That was the second album I ever bought!"

[@charleskee4832]

Great analysis! Thanks for the hard work you put into this!

[@accentedreality]

I was just hoping for a new video! Great work as always :)

[@Boy_of_Steel]

Love this movie

[@Tzourosaur]

Man i love this channel!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

[@lukeschroeder6112]

How fitting that yesterday of all days I watched Shaun of the Dead and sure enough one of my favorite channels makes a video about it. Thank you for rounding out my Halloween, Michael!

[@JunebugPresents]

Great analysis, yo! Such analysis is great for storytellers and people who love story, helping them see what makes some films work while others do not. Casual audiences will miss all of these intricate things that make a well-told story. I really liked Shaun of the Dead too. So, well made on all levels.

[@allthingsfascinating]

Long time Michael

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Took a little bit of a break :)

[@alexlee2581]

Funniest movie that i genuinely laughed at a lot

[@ranaventuras905]

Oh boy! So good to watch another video from you

[@allenroughton]

One of your best videos in every way. Great commentary and perfectly edited.

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

Thank you!

[@Vince009]

Do Alien!

[@LessonsfromtheScreenplay]

How have we not done Alien yet.

[@knedy]

gee if u love Truby so much why dont u marry him?

[@Viewfinderfx]

Very good and very insightful into character building!

[@princessthyemis]

Seeing this video pop up made me so happy! I clicked super fast. This is so cool to see, because my mom and I just saw this film for Halloween. She and I both love it. It is definitely my favorite Edgar Wright film! Your video was absolutely genius and I love the breakdown of the world and the character. I'm going to have to use that lesson in my own writing!! Thank you SO MUCH for this marvelous video!!! Oh, I am definitely going to show it to my mom because she also loves essays like these!!