Case Study 3

Case study 3: Shrek and Fiona

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aF7usQXbbJo

My third case study is Shrek a 2001 American animated comedy directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson. In this film, Shrek is sent to rescue Princess Fiona, who is waiting for her one true love. The film is shot in animation which is appropriate as the target audience is young children and families. The narrative structure is linear which makes it easy for young watchers to comprehend what is being said. The clip focuses on two main characters, Shrek and Fiona, and they are both represented in different ways. It begins with a long shot showing both Shrek and Fiona in their own environments. Shrek has dull furniture and is dressed in what seems like rags which suggests he lives a simplistic ogre lifestyle. In contrast, Fiona has grand furniture filled with colour and life. This is ironic as she is eating alone. She is also dressed in a white gown. The colour white connotes innocence and purity as she is waiting to be rescued from a tower. The theme of loneliness is explored in this film as Shrek and Fiona are very lonely characters.

The clip I have chosen is almost like a montage of their rocky relationship. The shallow depth of field is used to blur out Fiona in the background and focus the camera on Shrek. The close up of Shrek shows he is hurt and upset by his facial expressions, when Fiona leaves with another prince. However, when she returns she wants to be woken by a fairytale kiss but instead he shakes her. This connotes they both have very different viewpoints about love and romance. The long shot shows the empty surrounding area implying that Shrek has left; Fiona comes out and looks disappointed as she looks around in hope to find him. We then see a montage of clips of Fiona and Shrek slowly but surely falling in love with each other. This includes them play fighting and giggling together. They then argue. Their relationship is like a roller coaster, they go through their ups and downs. In my short film I will use a similar idea of a montage of a nerdy boy and popular girl falling in love. I will also use long shots to show them in their everyday lives to show the big contrast.