Comparing Shrek and Strictly Ballroom
...fairytale elements Eg in the movie shrek they are decisive of the way Disney’s prince and princess are always beautiful and how they are empathized to be always together at the end of the movie. In traditional fairytales with the production of Disney the princess would never ask to be kissed. This illustrates to us how the director of shrek made their film in their own way. Both directors use their images in similar ways to describe the protagonist both films portray certain characters in specific ways. The villains and heroes are given importance approach and personalities which are typical that provides these types of protagonist. Eg Barry fife is loud has hard eyes wears a toupee and is often sweaty. These virtues emphasise his infamous nature and role in the film. Eg in the film shrek Lord Farquaad has an ominous laugh and often scowls to emphasise his evil role. Strictly ballroom and shrek use a selection of camera techniques, which are important to proswde the audience feelings and outlining the protagonist on whether his powerful or weak, also to help set the atmosphere in the film. Close-ups are used in both films in order to create meaning. Eg in Strictly Ballroom close-ups of a protagonist hideous facial description are used to mock them, most particularly Barry Fife and Shirley Hastings. In shrek and strictly ballroom close up are used to make viewers feel for the character Eg in strictly ballroom when the camera shows Scott Hasting’s emotional honesty and aggravation as he dances alone in the studio. This makes Scott look good in contrast to the emotional immaturity and phoniness of other protagonist. The directors use their camera techniques in different ways to create meaning. Indirect camera angles for the close-ups of Barry, les and Shirley give them a comic book appearance and define their negative qualities. During the movie in shrek, when shrek visits Lord Farquaad’s castle the camera moves from ground level, upward to reveal his tower. This is called a high angle shot. It is useful because it makes Lord Farquaad seem powerful and evil, and shrek and donkey appear helpless and weak. Mid angle shots are used as well effectively eg mid shots of tiner sparkle and kenralting and Scott and Fran practising dancing in the centre this effect of mid shot makes them equal and it is also the natural angle. Mid angle shots in shrek are used when shrek and donkey are relaxing together, and when shrek has cooked princess Fiona a meal. These shots show the protagonist at the same time. Different camera technique communicates different types of images to the audience. Intertextuality this is a story telling technique that involves borrowing story telling or using reference to other films to tell a new story both directors uses this technique so the audience can experience the pleasure of recognising famous scène because they often are entreating. Eg strictly ballroom alludes to ‘singing in the rain’ when the characters dance around the clothes pole or ‘the king and I with its romantic sunset. Shrek alludes to a number of Disney stories including ‘Cinderella’ ‘beauty and the beast’ ‘peter pan’ and ‘the ugly duckling’ shrek also makes clever references to the Matrix, world wrestling and even river dance. Directors use a ...