Shrek key concept questions

Media Representations

Q. Who is being represented? In what way? By whom? Why is the subject being presented in this way? Is the representation fair and accurate? What opportunities exist for self-representation by the subject?

Shrek (Mike Myers) is being represented by the director as not king material due to his looks. Also the idea at ‘An Ogre as King’ does not stereotypically work well as the ogre is represented as a large, big, green monster like creature that lives in the swamp, not running a kingdom. Shrek believes that if he was to run the kingdom, he would not do well as he is ‘not fit for the king’ therefore in the movie we seen Shrek on an adventure to find the only other heir to the throne, Artie. Shrek is also illustrated as being different due to his appearance and in turn he is treated different as others (except Donkey) judge him before they even get to know him. This relates to the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’. This is a fair representation as this does go on within our society in places such as schools were ‘odd’ and ‘different’ students are left out because of there appearance, they are not ‘cool’ to hang around with. Shrek is also represented as the hero of the film however he does not conform to a typical hero stereotype as Shrek being a big green scary ogre would be associated more with the villain however the film has swapped this around and made Shrek the hero and the ‘handsome’ Prince Charming the villain

Shrek’s wife Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) is represented as a powerful female character. When Shrek is captured by Charming, Princess Fiona leads the other female characters in an attempt to rescue her husband. ‘OK girls from here on in, lets take care of business ourselves’. This quote illustrates the female characters control in the situation and in the film. The shot of Fiona and the other female characters posing in an action hero form further illustrates female power. This in turn also reflects our society and how women have more power than before. In addition, Fiona’s representation is also passed onto all the other female characters as well. This representation is fair and accurate as women have gained more power within society and are more equal to men than ever before.

Donkey (Eddie Murphy) is presented as an ‘annoying talking animal’ and a loyal friend of Shrek’s. Donkey’s ‘positive energy and ever optimistic outlook’ (www.shrek.com) contrasted to Shrek’s grumpier view of the world balances well for the film and for the characters themselves. Donkey is also represented as stereotypical ‘best friend’ in that he’s always s there to support Shrek and cheer him up by his ‘positive energy’. In addition, he as viewed by many is the laughter and comedy of the film

Another loyal friend of Shrek’s is Puss in Boots (Antonio Banderas). Puss in Boots (taken from an old fairly tale) is illustrated as a warrior when in combat and a loyal servant and friend. Clear intertextuality has been used by the director by borrowing features of the Spanish hero ‘Zorro’ including his famous calling card of the letter ‘Z’ carved with a sword which in Puss in Boots case is the letter ‘P’.

The villain of the narrative Prince Charming (Rupert Everett) is represented as an evil, scheming and hungry for power. However stereotypically the villain appearance tends to be ugly or hideous, whereas the ‘handsome’ Prince Charmings face looks as though ‘it has been carved by the angels themselves’. This in turn contradicts the stereotype of the villain in terms of appearance as the audience would have expected Shrek to be the villain due to his appearance and individual treatment by other characters.

Media Language and Forms

Q. What are the denotative and connotative levels of meaning?

Sword- (Deno) Long, Sharp, (Conno) weapon, battle, sharp
¨ Crown- (Deno) A Hat worn on the head and has lots of points, (Conno) king, royalty, rich
¨ Castle- (Deno) A large building with towers, (Conno) royalty, king/queen
¨ Pub- (Deno) building, (Conno) Drinking, alcohol, beer, drown sorrows, public place, meet friends
¨ Baby (Deno) Young born (Conno) “cry”, “poop”, burping, nappies, pram, milk

Q. What is the significance of the text’s connotations?

The significance of the text connotations are that it objects and words in the film contain ideas and meaning. Ideas and lessons can be taught to kids through the film.

Q. What are the non-verbal structures of meaning in the text (e.g. gesture, facial expression, positional communication, clothing, props etc)?

Shrek’s continuously facial expression of ‘no, I can’t run a kingdom, I’m an ogre’ emphasises that he does not want to be king.

Q. What is the significance of the mise-en-scene/sets/settings?

The mise-en-scene allows the audience to watch the film and understand the story whilst the setting (kingdom) allows the audience to know what the film will be about or themes, mood and idea so the film.

Q. What work is being done by the soundtrack/commentary/language of the text?

Parallel music is used in certain scenes to have a more dramatic effect. The dialogue (script) allows the audience to know what a character is saying and understand the story. Also sound effects add to certain aspects of the film e.g. when the food flies towards Shrek, a comic sound effect of objects flying is used to add to the comedy or when Shrek falls out of the bed, comic sound effect is used to add to the comedy.

Q. What are the dominant images and iconography, and what is their relevance to the major themes of the text?

A dominant image/iconography of the text is a king's crown. This is relevant to one of the themes of the texts which involves Shrek finding the next heir to the throne (excluding himself).

Q. What sound and visual techniques are used to convey meaning (e.g. camera positioning, editing; the ways that images and sound are combined to convey meaning)?

Example: Shrek worrying about fatherhood.
Shrek (in his dream) is dancing around merrily in his swamp, however when he enters his house and door slams, a pram appears from the dark with Shrek’s expression being ‘Oh no’ followed by the baby puking and then crying with Shrek frantically trying to stop it crying. Through the baby crying and Shrek unable to control the situation, it conveys the meaning that Shrek is worried about fatherhood. This is then followed by the sound of hundreds of ogre babies appearing which illustrates Shrek state of mind in that he’s worried about fatherhood and the idea of looking after an ogre baby.

Narrative

Q. How is the narrative organised and structured?

The film uses a duel narrative. One side of the narrative involves Shrek adventure with Donkey and Puss in Boots to find Artie and appoint him as king, whilst at the same time another narrative involves Charming ‘charms’ other fairy tale villains to help him take over the kingdom and ‘live happily ever after’ whilst at the same time gaining revenge against Shrek after being defeated in ‘Shrek 2’. In the end of the film both sides of the narrative come together in a final confrontation between good and evil.

Q. How is the audience positioned in relation to the narrative?

As an audience member we feel as though we are part of the kingdom and feel how the characters are feeling towards Prince Charming’s takeover of the kingdom.

Q. How are characters delineated? What is their narrative function? How are heroes and villains created?

Through their actions, mise en scene and sound characters are delineated. Using Propp’s Good vs evil theory, it provides a narrative function. Heroes and villains are created through the aspects of film language. For example the scene involving Prince Charming being humiliated on the stage followed by his words ‘you’ll be sorry’. These words illustrate to the audience that Prince Charming is the villain of the narrative as he has vowed revenge on those who have mocked him.

Q. What techniques of identification and alienation are employed?

Using various close ups such as when Shrek was having a heart to heart with Artie, we as the audience identify with Shrek and understand his feelings to why he is worried about being a father (“my dad tried to eat me”). Whilst techniques such as using aspects of the mise-en-scene and sound alienate Prince Charming at the beginning when people laugh at him for his “boring” performance on the stage.

Q. What is the role of such features as sound, music, iconography, genre, mise-en-scene, editing etc. within the narrative?

Sound/music, which is usually parallel music within the film, helps the audience know whether the scene involves things such as the villain. Example, somber or dark tunes/sound/melodies/music are used when Prince Charming enters the pub with all the fairy tale villains. It also is used to make scenes, especially important scenes more dramatic e.g. Fiona and the princesses coming to rescue Shrek, dramatic music is used to engage the audience and make the scenes more dramatic. Also sound effects such as add to things such as comedy.

Q. What are the major themes of the narrative? What values/ideologies does it embody?

The major themes of the narrative are royalty (New heir to the throne, Artie), parenthood (Shrek and Fiona), revenge (Prince Charming).

Genre

Q. To which genre does the text belong?

The text belongs to the genre of animation.

Q. What are the major generic conventions?

¨ Comedy
¨ Famous star as the voices of the characters
¨ happy ending
¨ good vs evil- good wins
¨ intertextuality (Shrek films mainly)
¨ Non human characters- animals

Q. What are the major iconography features of the text?

One of the major iconography features of the text is a ‘king’s crown’ as the film involves Shrek being reluctant to be the king of Far Far Away and so goes in search for Artie to be the king, whilst Prince Charming is forcefully trying to become the king.
Another iconographic feature is an image of parents and a baby. This is because parenthood is a theme within the film.

Q.What are the major generic themes?

Good Vs Evil is the main generic theme of the film

Q. To what extent are the major characters generically determined?

Although Shrek may not seem like a hero due to his appearance he does fulfil his role as hero like all the other hero characters in other animation films e.g. Woody and Buzzlightyear.

Q. To what extent are the audience’s generic expectations of the text fulfilled or cheated by the text? Does the text conform to the characteristics of the genre, or does it treat them playfully or ironically?

The audience’s generic expectations are fulfilled within the film. Consistent comedy goes on throughout the film, mainly thanks to Donkey, whilst in the battle of good vs evil, the good side triumph. Also the film ends on a happy note as Shrek and Fiona are shown to be enjoying parenthood whereas before they were worrying. However the text does not entirely conform to the characteristics of the genre in that the hero is Shrek, a big, green ogre, whilst the villain is a ‘handsome’ Prince Charming. Stereotypically the hero is supposed to be ‘handsome’ and good looking whilst the villain is big and ugly.

Q. Does the text feature a star, director, a writer etc. who is associated with the genre? What meanings and associations do they have?

The film does not feature a particular star, director or writer however the voices of the characters are carried out by famous stars. Whilst no one in particular is fully associated with the genre, their association within the film gives it a bigger appeal as famous stars such as Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas, Eddie Murphy, Justin Timberlake, John Cleese etc. attract audiences just by themselves.

Media Institutions

Q. What is the institutional source of the text?

The institutional source of the film Shrek the Third is ‘DreamWorks Animation SKG’.

Q. In what ways has the text been influenced or shaped by the institution which produced it?

DreamWorks Animation SKG sole purpose is to create CGI animated films. By DreamWorks making the film, they have the control to send out their own ideologies and messages towards their audiences e.g. kids, and teach them morals like all ‘fairy tales’ do.

Q. Is the source a public service or commercial institution? What difference does this make to the text?

The source is a public service institution. This makes a difference in that certain things are expected by the audience due to the institution.

Q. Who owns and controls the institution concerned and does it matter?

Paramount owns DreamWorks Animation SKG. Paramount is an American motion picture production and distribution company. By DreamWorks being owned by Paramount it can help appeal to audiences and it does have an effect when it comes to distributing the film.

Q. How has the text been distributed?

The text has been distributed and advertised via trailers and posters before the film. When released it is distributed in cinemas. However, illegally, the film has also been distributed on the internet.

Media Values and Ideologies

Q. What are the major values, ideologies and assumptions underpinning the text or naturalised within it?

¨ One ideology being sent to the audience is parenthood and how it can be both stressful (“crying”, “pooping”) and a joy (strengthen a couples relationship- Shrek and Fiona).
¨ ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’- you should not judge someone just because of their appearance. (Characters who see Shrek for the first time ‘gasp’ in astoniment at the sight of Shrek).
¨ Females are strong and are more equal to men than ever before.
¨ “Just because people treat you like a villain, or an ogre or just some loser, it doesn’t mean you are one. The thing that matters most is what you think of yourself, if theirs something you want or someone you really want to be then, then the only person standing in your way is you”. Just because something says you are something it doesn’t mean you are and you should to take to heart.

Q. What criteria have been used for selecting the content presented?

By looking at aspects of S.H.E.P, criteria such as parenthood have been presented as many people in the world are about to be parents and so the film reflects on how people sometimes cope with the idea of having a baby by looking at both the negatives and positives. By considering aspects within our society the film can reach other audiences as well as its main target audiences. Another example is when people are treated differently, for example like a ‘loser’ at school, you yourself start believing that you are, but you should not listen to them, the most important thing is what you think of yourself.

Media Audiences

Q. To whom is the text addressed? What is the target audience?

The text is addressed to kids whom are also the target audience of the film. The film may also be targeted at a family audience (secondary audience).

Q. What assumptions about the audience’s characteristics are implicit within the text?

Some members of the audience may have been left out of something and feel like Shrek, alone and misunderstood. Girls/females may look up to Princess Fiona and how strong and tough she is even though she is a female. Parents who may be having or have a baby may pick up on the films ideologies and values of parenthood.

Q. What assumptions about the audience are implicit in the texts scheduling or positioning?

The film was released on the May 18th 07 (late spring). During this time the films primary target audience, kids are in school however the film acts as a form of entertainment and a form of escapism (diversion). Also things such as school trips to the cinema can be arranged.

Q. In what conditions is the audience likely to receive the text? Does this impact upon the formal characteristics of the text?

The audience is most likely to receive the text in the cinema however due to the internet it can also be received via the net.

Q. What can you know or can you assume about the likely size and constituency of the audience?

Shrek is already established itself as a worldwide hit therefore the film is likely to be mass.

Q. What are the probable and possible audience readings of the text?

Audiences of different ages may read/interpret the film in different ways. Mostly all films send out ideologies and values towards the audience. The films primary audience, kids, may view the film as a form of entertainment and diversion. However the film alone may subliminally teach them messages and lessons such as don’t judge someone just because of their appearance.
As animation appeals to a family audience, adults also view the film and may read the film as both a form of entertainment and understand its ideologies and messages being sent out such as parenthood and how it can be tiring and stressful whilst also being fun and good for strengthening love between couples.

Q. How do you, as an audience member, read and evaluate the text? To what extent is your reading and evaluation influenced by your age, gender, background?

I personally view the film as a form of entertainment and escapism. Due to studying about films in media at ‘A levels’ and knowing things such as film/media language, S.H.E.P etc. allows me to easily identify these media aspects. Whilst my gender and background has no effect on how I read the film apart from just my own personal view.