Media coursework

GCSE English language courseworkMedia piece

History of fairytales

• Fairytales were originally meant for adults;• They were invented during a time when

people believed in things such as witches, ogres, giants and trolls;

• Eventually they were altered to remove violence so they could be told to children;

• Now they often include a “moral” or a lesson for children to remember;

Fairytales

• When was the last time you heard a traditional fairytale?

• In pairs write down as many fairytales as you can think of – you MUST be able to remember the story!

• Compile the list as a whole class• Remember 5 key events from the fairytale

you are given (tableaux)

We’re fairytale experts then!

• What makes a fairytale? • What types of words are used?• What characters are typical?• What locations/places might appear?• What usually happens?• Any words or phrases you might expect?

Create a fairytale mindmap

Traditional fairy tales

Prince

Princess

Ogres/giants/trollsDragons

Traditional representation Evidence from fairytales

The Hero: Tall, dark handsome, brave, noble, charming, represents good.

The damsel: beautiful, weak, feminine, no common sense, marries Prince, represents good.

The baddie: inhuman, animal like, eats humans, male, represents evil.

Castle

Swamp/barren place

Desired: beautiful, luxurious, civilised, happy, home of good people.Detested: dirty, uncivilised, unwelcoming, home of evil.

Coursework title“In traditional fairy tales, ogres are man-

eating beasts. The prince usually rescues the Princess, they marry and live happily ever after.

How do the makers of Shrek use presentational devices to reverse this tradition, to reveal the ogre as good and the Prince as evil?”

Copy this in to your book

Writing task• Write at least a paragraph about traditional fairy

tales.• You need to write about:• How Princes and ogres/giants are represented

in traditional fairy stories• Explain what the ogre does in the story of Jack

and Beanstalk • Talk about what the Prince does in Snow White

and the seven dwarves• Pay particular attention to how they are

REPRESENTED

Content

In total, we are going to analyse:• Shrek’s character• Lord Farquaad’s evil side• Camera shots• Presentational devices used in the film

(write this down too!)

Analysing Shrek’s character

We are going to address:• The beginning of the film• His relationship with the storybook

characters• His first meeting with Donkey• Their visit to Duloc• The rescue of Princess Fiona

The opening

Watch the opening again, think about:• Why might viewers be surprised?• What does the beginning of the film

suggest?• How will this film fit in with “traditional” fairy

stories?

Shrek’s character: the beginning

The film opens with a book containing a fairy story, making us think that is what we are about to experience.

The music in the background is old fashioned, classical and traditional, we assume the film will be the same.

The story contains typical fairy tale phrases such as “once upon a time” and “happily ever after”.

Shrek’s character: the beginning

The characters in the story are Princes, ogres, dragons and Princesses, just like traditional fairy tales.

Shrek’s character: the beginning

Suddenly the book is torn up by a dirty great big GREEN hand!

The viewer starts to think this might NOT be such a traditional story; it’s almost like the makers are “ripping up the rule book”.

Shrek’s character: the beginning

The music changes abruptly to modern music

An ugly green ogre appears from an outhouse, traditional fairy stories are banished to only “toilet reading”!?

The message to the audience: SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG!

Shrek’s character: the beginning

His habitat is not inhospitable or ugly: it is very domesticated and “homely”.

Activity: How many things in this long shot can you spot which you would not expect to see in a traditional ogre’s swamp?

Shrek’s character: the beginning

The ogre also seems pretty civilised, doing daily cleansing rituals, this is making him appear like a human being.

Shrek’s character: the beginning

How is Shrek being presented as a human and not as an animal in this shot?

Shrek’s character: the beginning

He is now painting, not just a human thing, but a cultured, refined, educated human trait.

Message to the audience: this is NOT going to be a traditional fairy story!

Shrek’s character: the beginning

Write a paragraph about the opening of the film

Cover these points:• How is it different to a conventional fairy tale?• Why are the viewers surprised?• What does such an opening suggest?You could use some of these phrases:• The film Shrek opens with…• Viewers are surprised because…• The beginning of the film suggests that…