Construction Devices - Film Techniques
What effect does a high camera angle have in shaping how the audience views a character?
It makes the character look smaller and weaker. It is often used to position a character as lesser.
What are the three main themes we have discussed this term?
Love, friendship and appearance versus reality
"Ogres are like onions".
Identify the language feature used in this quote.
Bonus points: gain an additional 100 points if you can explain why Shrek used this simile.
What does Fiona have to do to break her curse?
Share true love's kiss
What is it called when you exaggerate to make a point?
Hyperbole
What perspective does an "over the shoulder" shot give viewers?
It makes viewers feel like they are seeing the character's perspective
True or False: Lord Farquaad is used to explore the theme of love.
True! Lord Farquaad's "love" for Fiona is contrasted with Shrek's love for Fiona.
100 points - Define foreshadowing
100 points - Where do we see foreshadowing in the film? Provide a specific example.
Foreshadowing - a warning or indication of a future event
Example: At the beginning of the film, Shrek is reading from a fairytale book that describes Fiona's situation. This foreshadows the later events of the film, including Fiona's curse and how to break it.
Who is the antagonist of the film?
Lord Farquaad
What are the benefits of using a close shot?
You can see the character's facial expressions clearly, and any minute details are emphasised.
Which of the statement below is the most accurate description of the theme of friendship in Shrek?
1) Friends are for the weak.
2) True friends will always support whatever their friends want.
3) Being a genuine friend means helping your friends to be their best, even if that means telling them they're wrong.
4) Friendship is among the most valuable of resources for us to draw upon, as friends can make up for each others' weaknesses.
1) WRONG
2) Better, but no. This is the type of friendship we see Lord Farquaad has with his guards. They blindly obey him, but only because they have no other choice.
3) YES! Donkey challenges Shrek when he begins to go astray, but once Shrek commits to rescuing Fiona Donkey continues to support him. Donkey supports Shrek whenever he can, with the exception being that Donkey won't support Shrek when he is acting in a self-destructive way.
4) Kind of. While the first part of this statement is probably accurate, the second half isn't really something we see emphasised in the film. For the most part, Shrek is far more competent than Donkey. We don't see Donkey doing things that Shrek couldn't. Likewise, once Fiona joins the troupe we get to see her combat skills. This is something we have already seen Shrek do well. So, the characters aren't covering for each others' weaknesses.
The film frequently employs allusion. We see this with iconic Disney characters, like Cinderella and Snow White, as well as characters from folklore, like Robin Hood. Define the term "allusion".
Allusion is an expression designed to call something to mind without mentioning it explicitly; an indirect or passing reference.
For instance, saying "chocolate is my kryptonite" is allusion, as it is indirectly referencing Superman. The character "Monsieur Hood" is an example of allusion in Shrek.
Who are the three "bachelorettes" shown to Lord Farquaad?
Cinderalla, Sleeping Beauty and Princess Fiona
What is the construction device called when characters are speaking to themselves or each other?
Dialogue
Characterisation is a powerful construction device for authors to utilise. We use the acronym STEAL to describe the different ways an author can use characterisation. What does STEAL stand for (80 points per correct answer)?
Speech
Thoughts
Emotions
Actions
Looks
What is the message Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson (the directors) want the audience to understand regarding the theme of appearance versus reality?
Don't judge someone before you get to know them!
Explain how the juxtaposition of Shrek and Robin Hood serves to demonstrate the theme of appearance versus reality.
Robin Hood, who is traditionally a hero, is contrasted with Shrek. Shrek, being an ogre, is assumed to be a villain by others. This creates a clear contrast between the two characters and the expected perceptions of them. However, Shrek is the protagonist of the film, and Robin Hood acts as a villain within this scene. By demonstrating that both Shrek and Hood's personalities do not match their appearance, the film communicates that you cannot judge someone by their appearance alone.
Why does Shrek leave his swamp?
To get rid of the fairy tale creatures on his land
Colour can be used to create meaning within a story. See if you can explain why the following colours were used in Shrek. 200 points per correct answer (one good reason for either is enough).
Shrek = Green
Lord Farquaad = Red
Shrek is green to connect him to nature, imply his good nature, and create a contrast with the antagonist of the film. Shrek lives in harmony with nature at the start of the film, and the choice to make him green reflects this familiarity with the natural world. Green is also a colour that is typically associated with good characters in fiction, implying Shrek's good nature. Lastly, Shrek was made green partially to create a clear contrast with Lord Farquaad's red aesthetic.
Lord Farquaad dresses in red and black attire to communicate his status as an antagonist. These colours have historically been associated with villainous characters, like Darth Vader, Jafar, Captain Cook, and in classical literary depictions of devils. Furthermore, the colour red is associated with anger and rage. Farquaad is depicted as having a barely controlled temper at several points throughout the film, matching his red attire. Red can also symbolise strength and passion. While Lord Farquaad does not possess an innate strength like Shrek, he tries to project strength through his actions and words. Therefore, his red clothing covering his pale skin could be interpreted as a "strong" facade covering a weak man, contrasting Shrek who wears muted clothing but has innate strength represented through his green skin.
Explain the difference between diegetic and non-diegetic music.
Diegetic music is music that exists within the world of the film. This means that the characters can hear this music as it is happening within the film.
Non-diegetic music is music that does not exist within the world of the film. Characters cannot hear this music, as it exists only for the audience help create the atmosphere that the director wishes to establish.
What is a theme from the film that we have not discussed this term? You cannot use friendship, love, or appearance versus reality.
1. Self-acceptance - you need to accept yourself before seeking the acceptance of others
2. Prejudice - we see Lord Farquaad judging others by their appearance. For Lord Farquaad, the world is as simple as fairy tale creature = bad, human = good. This kind of bias is known as "prejudice" and happens all the time in real life (racism, sexism, homophobia, etc). When we judge someone before we get to know them, we can just about guarantee it's because of a prejudice that we hold.
3. Good vs Evil - a common theme in most works of art is good versus evil. Will Shrek's kindness and humility triumph over Lord Farquaad's cruelty and arrogance? Is there a sense of justice within the story? Or do the bad guys win?
Read through the evidence included below and identify the construction devices (language features) that should be discussed for each. 100 points for each correct identification.
1. Shrek's outward appearance is rough, even monstrous, yet he is arguably the kindest character in the film.
2. The inclusion of Disney characters like Snow White and Cinderella.
3. The Swamp, Shrek's home, is like him in many ways.
4. When Shrek roars at the villagers, we see this technique on their faces as they react in fear.
5. We see this technique when Shrek compares himself to the stars by saying, "Sometimes things are more than they appear".
1. Shrek's outward appearance is rough, even monstrous, yet he is arguably the kindest character in the film.
Juxtaposition/characterisation
2. The inclusion of Disney characters like Snow White and Cinderella.
Allusion
3. The Swamp, Shrek's home, is like him in many ways.
Symbolism
4. When Shrek roars at the villagers, we see this technique on their faces as they react in fear.
Facial Expressions
5. We see this technique when Shrek compares himself to the stars by saying, "Sometimes things are more than they appear".
Analogy
What two animals do Shrek and Fiona turn into balloons?
A toad and a snake
The film opens with a montage of Shrek getting ready while playing "All Star" in the background. This scene serves to establish Shrek's character early on. Explain the benefit of employing characterisation so early in the film, particularly as it relates to the theme of appearance versus reality.
By using characterisation early in the film, the directors clearly establish the temperament and disposition of Shrek immediately. This allows for them to later use film techniques that would otherwise convince audiences that Shrek is the antagonist of the film. This is epitomised in the scene with the villagers. The lighting, music and facial expressions of the scene all communicate that Shrek poses a serious threat to the villagers. However, the early characterisation allows viewers to understand that this is not who Shrek genuinely is, and he is only acting this way in order to scare off the violent villagers.