Hi. We are Albert, Michael and Leonard in 8Eng1 of Parramatta High School. We will be presenting our response to Rap Point II. In this response we will be presenting how our expectations of Shrek as a traditional fairytale are challenged at the very start of the film, how filmic techniques are used to challenge the traditional representation of a hero such as mise-en-scene, diegetic and non-diegetic sounds and camera angles and movements and how the audience is positioned to respond to Shrek through humour.
Our expectation of this film as a traditional fairytale was challenged at the very start of the film when a page was ripped out of a storybook and used as toilet paper. We expected the storybook to end with a happy ending and a handsome prince but instead we saw a giant, green ogre coming out of the toilet.
The filmic techniques used to challenge the traditional representation of a hero were the diegetic and non-diegetic sound of the beginning of the film, mise-en-scene, framing and symbolism. The sound at the beginning of the film was non-diegetic because instead of natural sounds, upbeat rock music was played. The diegetic sound in the introduction of the film were farting, showering and splashing and bubbling of the water. The mise-en-scene was also evident in the beginning of the film. Shrek was portrayed as an anti social giant, green ogre by signs for instance the ‘stay away’ sign, burping and farting. An example of the mise-en-scene that was important in conveying ideas about Shrek was in the scene where Shrek’s house was portrayed. This was effective in telling the viewer that the house was Shrek’s home by the use of sunlight over the house and the portrayal the house in a mid shot and straight
ahead. The symbolism in the film was as mentioned above. Shrek’s home was highlighted with sunshine and was in the centre of the scene.
The audience was positioned to respond to Shrek humorously through visual and verbal humour and irony. Examples of visual humour are when Shrek farted and the fish floated up, burping to light a fire and Shrek’s face when he was screaming at the villagers. Examples of verbal humour was when Shrek said ‘this is the part where you run’ after he roared at the villagers who came to capture him and Shrek says ‘like that’s ever gonna happen’ as he ripped out the page of the storybook. An example of irony in the film was when Shrek told the villagers to run when the viewers expected Shrek to attack the villagers.s
So in conclusion, Shrek challenged our expectation of this film, the film techniques used were effective and positioned the audience to respond with humour to Shrek were very effective in making the establishing scene of the film Shrek humourous.
Thank you for reading our response to Rap Point II.
Albert, Leonard and Michael from 8Eng1 of Parramatta High School
