Part of The Student Room Group

  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

How do the makers of Shrek use presentational devices to reverse the traditions of the fairytale?

Extracts from this document...

Introduction

'Shrek' Coursework How do the makers of 'Shrek' use presentational devices to reverse the traditions of the fairytale? In this essay I am going to analyse the characters of Shrek, Donkey and Lord Farquhar I an also going to analyse how the makers have reversed the fairytale to make it unusual. Traditional fairy tales always have a brave prince, a princess and a villain. The villain is killed at the end and everyone lives happily ever after. The use of presentational devices in "Shrek" like Special effects, lighting, and camera shots, all help to reverse this tradition in the creation of "Shrek". These sorts of effects have made this film completely different to a traditional fairytale. The opening scene of Shrek is of someone reading a traditional fairytale book with calm music n the back round when suddenly a big green hand grips the page of the book and rips it out. ...read more.

Middle

Tension is created when Lord Farquhar is introduced. Instead of focusing on his face, the camera shows parts of his upper body and his feet. This suggests that he is an important part of the film. The viewer also sees close ups of him walking with his chest out proudly. Low angle shots are effectively used to show Lord Farquhar looking down on Shrek and Donkey whereas in the tournament scene they show Shrek looking up to Lord Farquhar who is sitting high in his seat. Mid angle shots are used to show both of the characters at the same time and show romance and bonding. For example when Shrek and Donkey are relaxing together, and when Shrek has cooked Princess Fiona a meal. Sometimes, a character's back is shown rather than their face. This suggests isolation from other characters. For example when Princess Fiona leaves Shrek and goes inside the cave. ...read more.

Conclusion

The music is always significant to the situation. For example at the beginning of the film when we hear a fairy tale being read through the pages of a book with soft music in the back round. When suddenly we see Shrek's hand rips the page. Then we hear a toilet flush, this suggests that Shrek used the page as toilet roll here we have an immediate mood change and the music is now a lot more cheerful and lively. The film makers have reversed what is a traditional 'Disney fantasy' into a funny and message giving film. They have revealed that not all ogres are evil as throughout the film we can see that nobody is intimidated by Shrek even if he is an ogre. We also learn that not all princes are good and caring as in the film we quickly learn that the Lord Farquhar is not a traditional prince but is selfish and evil. The message that the film gives to us is don't judge people by the way they look or act. By Madiyah Imtiaz ...read more.

The above preview is unformatted text

This student written piece of work is one of many that can be found in our GCSE Audience and Production Analysis section.

Found what you're looking for?

  • Start learning 29% faster today
  • 150,000+ documents available
  • Just £6.99 a month

or


Not the one? Search for your essay title...
  • Join over 1.2 million students every month
  • Accelerate your learning by 29%
  • Unlimited access from just £6.99 per month

See related essaysSee related essays

Related GCSE Audience and Production Analysis essays

  1. Marked by a teacher

    How the film Shrek parodies the traditional Disney fairytale

    3 star(s)

    The audience then hear modern rap music; this reinforces their audiences understanding that this will definitely not be a conventional fairy tale with a predictable soundtrack. The setting which is partly set in Shrek's swamp, this is a traditional and expected home for Ogres, but the unexpected part of this

  2. How are good and evil characters presented in The Fellowship of the Ring?

    Also, in Moria when they are attacked by the Goblins, he is one of the fiercest fighters in the group, killing many orcs, often by putting himself at enormous risk at the expense of others. His loyalty is effectively shown when he always refers to Frodo and "Mr.

  1. Is "Shrek" a conventional fairytale?

    In the modern era, fairytales were altered, usually with the violence removed, so they could be read to children who according to a common modern sentiment should not hear about violence. When "Shrek" first begins, the first thing the viewers experience is the folk music playing softly in the background and then a shining light.

  2. The film Shrek uses presentational devices to reverse the typical views of man-eating ogres, ...

    Other devices used were; rather than us seeing the traditional fairytale prince we are showed a filthy looking ogre with very disgusting habits. Also instead of having being shown a magical palace we are presented with a filthy swamp, and the main structure in shot being a toilet shack.

  1. In Search For A Prince

    They all cheer happily. This suggests that Shrek is selfish because he doesn't want to help them he just wants them to get off his land. When Donkey approaches, Shrek roars at him and tries to intimidate him. Donkey is not frightened and says "Oh, wow! That was really scary.

  2. Presentational devices in Shrek

    From this beginning the film suggests that this will be another traditional fairy story like Snow White and the Seven Dwarves. However this theme is totally destroyed when a hand snaps the book shut and Shrek appears. At this point rap music is being played which suggests that this film will not be a conventional fairy story.

  1. How do the makers of Shrek use presentational devices to reverse this tradition, to ...

    So I think the viewers would be extremely surprised when they get the grossness of Shrek thrown at them. The first section of the opening suggests the usual fairy tale situation, but then all unveils as the music changes and Shrek comes out from behind the book.

  2. Shrek is an unconventional fairytale, how is this shown and what is its appeal ...

    Like colour, lighting can help shape the mood, environment of the scene. You become aware of camera angles at moments such as the one when Shrek and Donkey are looking at the stars and Donkey?s head appears at the top of the screen.

  • Over 160,000 pieces
    of student written work
  • Annotated by
    experienced teachers
  • Ideas and feedback to
    improve your own work