Film Opening Analysis HW

Shrek
Film: Shrek
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy, Fantasy
Setting: Shrek's swamp
Time Scale: Night time (4mins 43secs)

Sequence summary: Begins with a fairytale book showing a story, then into an establishing location shot of the swamp, then goes into Shrek's daily routine (eg teeth brushing etc.) followed by an angry mob armed with flame torches trying to attack Shrek. Shrek then scares them off and sees wanted poster that they left behind, demanding fairytale creatures. This order of events is significant to the story telling because it makes the genres clear by introducing first fantasy, then adventure and comedy. Using an establishing shot at the beginning means it is also a master shot because the image then shows inside the actual house which was shown in the master shot as well as the angry mob on the grounds which was also shown in the master shot.
The events are linked to each other because the opening shot of the fairytale book is directly related to Shrek who, being an ogre, is a mythical creature. His daily routine is done inside the location which was shown in the initial establishing shot - the swamp. The angry mob is also connected because they are on the grounds from the establishing shot.

Characters introduced and their roles:
Shrek - main character. We know this because he is the focus of the opening sequence.
Angry mob - they give a basic insight into the plot. We find this out because of the wanted poster they left behind and their actions towards Shrek.


Story information revealed: Shrek is wanted because he is a fairytale creature in a human world - we know this because of the wanted poster left behind. Also, there is a quest to be completed because of the very first shot of the fairytale book opening its pages and telling the story of a princess who needs to be rescued - this implies that that particular quest is going to be included in the plot.
Deliberately withheld information includes the actual reason why fairytale creatures are wanted, and other main characters in the plot.


Audience needs to know at start: Why Shrek in particular is so wanted.

Film Still Analysis HW

1. Analyse your chosen shot and identify in what way it could be described as signifying your chosen genre

- She is sitting on a windowsill which is a stereotype for the romance genre

- Her modern clothing and youth signifies that it is a teen romance film

- She is looking into the sky which implies she is daydreaming about someone/something

- Playing with a flower as if doing 'he loves me, he loves me not' which is a stereotype for romance

- Frame within a frame to make it seem more like a fairytale 

- High key lighting represents positivity and happiness

2. What did you actually do to achieve the effect?

- Found a stereotypical setting ie. windowsill

- Took the shot from a low angle to make it seem like she is high up like a princess in a tower

- Ensured the lighting wasn't low key and shadowed - used the natural lighting from the sun

- Used a young model to represent the teen genre and target audience

3. How did you intend the audience to 'read' or interpret your still?

- Dominant reading: model is daydreaming about a love interest because of the typical setting and mise-en-scene

- It is a relatable film for teenagers because model is casually dressed, not too fancy

4. Identify what is successful about your shot

- The narrative is simple and therefore easy to interpret and understand

- Model represents the audience by looking casual and relatable

- Her expression on her face is quite dreamy and thoughtful which signifies the genre and narrative

-The framing works well - model is the focal point and everything else fits around her naturally

5. What would you do differently in hindsight?

- Wouldn't cut off the top of the window frame because it looks slightly awkward

- Would straighten the angle - it is currently at a slight tilt

- Would use an actual flower instead of a plant 

- Would turn off the lights in the background because they are a bit distracting from the focal point

- Would position the model so that more sun lands on her face to look more positive and happy

'P' is for Psycho Storyboard HW

What is happening in the opening sequence of the film?
- Introducing the genre with implications of gore and violence
- Lots of different angles and framing to intensify the shot
- Switches from MS to CU to intensify
- Lots of straight cuts to build the tension
- Introduces the main character and implies that he shoots a kid

How is the narrative flow established?
- Switches from main character to setting and location #
- Shows his routine - first gets the bandage, then puts it on then gets gun
- Includes dialogue from main character to victim
- Last shot fades to black

What aspects of the storyboard would you change?
- More SFX in shots 2-4
- At beginning of sequence, use more fade instead of cut for transitions