Shrek Part 1
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Transcript of Shrek Part 1
Media coursework
GCSE English language courseworkMedia piece
History of fairytales
• Fairytales were originally meant for adults;• They were invented during a time when
people believed in things such as witches, ogres, giants and trolls;
• Eventually they were altered to remove violence so they could be told to children;
• Now they often include a “moral” or a lesson for children to remember;
Fairytales
• When was the last time you heard a traditional fairytale?
• In pairs write down as many fairytales as you can think of – you MUST be able to remember the story!
• Compile the list as a whole class• Remember 5 key events from the fairytale
you are given (tableaux)
We’re fairytale experts then!
• What makes a fairytale? • What types of words are used?• What characters are typical?• What locations/places might appear?• What usually happens?• Any words or phrases you might expect?
Create a fairytale mindmap
Traditional fairy tales
Prince
Princess
Ogres/giants/trollsDragons
Traditional representation Evidence from fairytales
The Hero: Tall, dark handsome, brave, noble, charming, represents good.
The damsel: beautiful, weak, feminine, no common sense, marries Prince, represents good.
The baddie: inhuman, animal like, eats humans, male, represents evil.
Castle
Swamp/barren place
Desired: beautiful, luxurious, civilised, happy, home of good people.Detested: dirty, uncivilised, unwelcoming, home of evil.
Coursework title“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?”
Copy this in to your book
Writing task• Write at least a paragraph about traditional fairy
tales.• You need to write about:• How Princes and ogres/giants are represented
in traditional fairy stories• Explain what the ogre does in the story of Jack
and Beanstalk • Talk about what the Prince does in Snow White
and the seven dwarves• Pay particular attention to how they are
REPRESENTED
Content
In total, we are going to analyse:• Shrek’s character• Lord Farquaad’s evil side• Camera shots• Presentational devices used in the film
(write this down too!)
Analysing Shrek’s character
We are going to address:• The beginning of the film• His relationship with the storybook
characters• His first meeting with Donkey• Their visit to Duloc• The rescue of Princess Fiona
The opening
Watch the opening again, think about:• Why might viewers be surprised?• What does the beginning of the film
suggest?• How will this film fit in with “traditional” fairy
stories?
Shrek’s character: the beginning
The film opens with a book containing a fairy story, making us think that is what we are about to experience.
The music in the background is old fashioned, classical and traditional, we assume the film will be the same.
The story contains typical fairy tale phrases such as “once upon a time” and “happily ever after”.
Shrek’s character: the beginning
The characters in the story are Princes, ogres, dragons and Princesses, just like traditional fairy tales.
Shrek’s character: the beginning
Suddenly the book is torn up by a dirty great big GREEN hand!
The viewer starts to think this might NOT be such a traditional story; it’s almost like the makers are “ripping up the rule book”.
Shrek’s character: the beginning
The music changes abruptly to modern music
An ugly green ogre appears from an outhouse, traditional fairy stories are banished to only “toilet reading”!?
The message to the audience: SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG!
Shrek’s character: the beginning
His habitat is not inhospitable or ugly: it is very domesticated and “homely”.
Activity: How many things in this long shot can you spot which you would not expect to see in a traditional ogre’s swamp?
Shrek’s character: the beginning
The ogre also seems pretty civilised, doing daily cleansing rituals, this is making him appear like a human being.
Shrek’s character: the beginning
How is Shrek being presented as a human and not as an animal in this shot?
Shrek’s character: the beginning
He is now painting, not just a human thing, but a cultured, refined, educated human trait.
Message to the audience: this is NOT going to be a traditional fairy story!
Shrek’s character: the beginning
Write a paragraph about the opening of the film
Cover these points:• How is it different to a conventional fairy tale?• Why are the viewers surprised?• What does such an opening suggest?You could use some of these phrases:• The film Shrek opens with…• Viewers are surprised because…• The beginning of the film suggests that…