Shrek Media Coursework

Shrek, Y10 Media Coursework

In traditional fairy tales, ogres are man-eating beasts. The Prince usually rescues the Princess; they marry and live happily ever after.

How do the makers of Shrek use presentational devices to reverse this tradition, to reveal the ogre as good and the Prince as evil?

INTRODUCTION

In this essay I will be analysing the characters in the film ‘Shrek’. Also I will be writing about how the filmmakers use presentational devices, such as camera angles, lighting and music.

‘Shrek’ is an unusual fairy tale with an unlikely twist. The roles have been reversed and the stereotypical heroes, such as the Prince have become the villains and visa versa.

In traditional fairytales ogres are fierce, man-eating beasts seen as evil. In a traditional fairytale ‘Shortshanks’ the ogre featured is a humongous, fighting beast. ‘ “Fire and flame! Can you fight?” roared the Ogre ’. This is how the stereotypical ogre would be expected to be presented. Shrek has the appearance of a brutal creature e.g. scary face, large stomach, but is kind-hearted and caring.

Lord Farquaad on the other hand is cruel, selfish and very short. The stereotypical Prince is usually kind, caring, tall and handsome. Lord Farquaad is also referred to as a “monster”. This shows he isn’t well liked, as a typical Prince would usually be adored.

OPENING SCENE

This is a preview of the whole essay

OPENING SCENE

Although the film opens like a traditional fairytale, using the well-known beginning ‘Once upon a time...’, a hand snaps the book shut. This immediately shows the audience that the film isn’t going to be a standard fairytale. As soon the book is slammed shut, a lively well-known pop song starts to play. This creates excitement. Shrek then uses a page out of the book as toilet paper, the audience find this amusing and this surprises them. Soon after this Shrek is bathing in a swamp and passes wind, this is also funny to the audience and we then know that this is going to be a fairytale with a twist.

SHREK’S CHARACTER

When Shrek meets the men with the pitchforks, he puts on an act. Shrek acts like a traditional ogre. The camera zooms in onto Shrek’s face while he bears his teeth. This is effective because it makes Shrek appear menacing and intimidating. Shrek then lets out an almighty roar and scared the men away. This creates suspense and changes the audience’s opinion of Shrek. Then Shrek makes a joke and then we know that Shrek only put on a frightening act to make the men go.

At this scene the music changes from pop to slow, dismal scary music. This creates tension.

When Shrek tries to intimidate Donkey, he is not at all frightened and replies cheekily ‘You need some tic tacs’, ridiculing his bad breath. This shows that Donkey doesn’t judge a book by his cover and isn’t immediately scared of Shrek.

Throughout the film Shrek’s character develops. The audience think of him as caring and funny. When Shrek falls in love with Princess Fiona he shows that he truly cares for her when he realises she is too an ogre. Shrek loves Fiona for who she really is.

THE CHARACTER OF THE DONKEY

Donkey is an important character in the film as he helps us to understand the character of Shrek. He does this by not treating Shrek as a stereotypical ogre and therefore makes us believe this of Shrek.

Donkey does this by getting to know Shrek for who he really is. This helps us understand Shrek more and makes us realise Shrek has just been stereotyped. Shrek appreciates Donkey not judging him and him and donkey become the best of friends.

THE RESCUE OF PRINCESS FIONA

The rescue of Princess Fiona is a parody of a fairytale because all the characters are such opposites of their stereotypes.

Shrek has a donkey instead of a noble steed, the dragon doesn’t get slayed but gets flirted with and Shrek aggressively wakes the Princess with a shake instead of a kiss.

The music in this scene is also very dramatic and adventurous. This scene is tension packed and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats. There is also a slow motion run with creates suspense.