Summer Research project - Shrek The Third

Media Representation

Shrek (Mike Meyers)
- He is a ogre (big, green, monster)
- stereotypically is not suited as king material, because of his looks
- Therefore treated differently (except by donkey)
- Students can identify with him – those who were treated different because of their appearance
- He is not a stereotypical hero because he looks like a scary Ogre so people think he is a villain
- The real villain is Prince charming even though he is handsome

Donkey (Eddie Murphy)
Shrek’s annoying and loyal friend
- Represented as a stereotypical best friend, who always supports Shrek
- He brings the comedy and laughter to the film

Fiona (Cameron Diaz)
- Powerful female character
- When Shrek gets captured by Charming- she attempts to rescue him
- Doesn’t play typical female role, shows how females are equal to men as they are powerful than before

Prince Charming
- Evil and hungry for power
- Villains usually ugly but he is charming
- Face ‘carved by angels themselves’


Media Language and Forms

Significance of Mise en scene
- Allows audience to watch the film and understand the story
- From the mise en scene audience know what film is about

Music and Sound
- Parallel music used in certain scenes – creates a more dramatic effect
- Has its own soundtrack
- Digetic sounds used to add to the Comedy

Narrative Structure
- Uses a dual narrative
- 1 narrative – Shrek & Donkey adventure
- 2 narrative- Charming trying to become King, and get revenge on Shrek
- Both narratives come together – final confrontation – between good and evil

Audience relation to narrative
- Feel part of the kingdom and feel how the characters feel towards charming taking over
Narrative themes, values and ideologies
- Major theme is Royalty (new heir to thrown.. Artie)
- Parenthood (Shrek and Fiona)
- Revenge (Charming)

Genre

Genre
- Adventure, comedy, family, fantasy, animation, sequel
Genre conventions
- Comedy
- Good vs. evil
- Famous star voices of characters
- Happy ending
- Non human characters – animals

Other
- Film promoted through star voices
- Creates big appeal
- Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Mike Meyers, Justin Timberlake etc.
- They attract an audience on their own

Media Institution

Institutional source of the text
- Dream Works Animation SKG
What way is the text shaped by the Institution that produced it?
- Dream Works Animation SKG – have the control to send out their own ideologies and message to their audiences
- Eg. Kids- teach them morals like all fairytales
- It’s a public service institution – therefore certain things are expected by the audiences

Who controls the Institution
- Paramount owns Dream Works Animation SKG
- Paramount is American motion picture production and distribution company
- By Dream Works being owned by Paramount – helps appeal to audiences

Has the Text been distributed?
- Text been advertised via trailers and posters before the film
- When released was distributed in cinemas
- Also illegally distributed on the internet

Media Values and Ideologies

Major values and Ideologies
- Parenthood
- Stressful
- Joy-brings relationships closer
- Don’t judge book by cover
- Don’t judge by appearance (Shrek)
- Females are Strong and more equal to men (Fiona)

Target Audience
- Kids (Primary target audience) – look for entertainment
- Families (Secondary Audience) – look for escapism

How audience relate to Characters
- Some feel left out like Shrek < alone and misunderstood
- Girls/ females idolise Fiona- how strong and tough she is
- Parents having baby- may pick up on the family ideologies and values of parenthood
Audience
- Shrek the third world wide hit
- apart of sequel of three
- Has a mass audience