2. As part of my research I chose four existing products (of the same genre of my
chosen piece) to analyse conventions of the genre.
1: Snow White and The Huntsman
2: Alice in Wonderland:
3: Taken
4: Grinch
3. An adapted up to date film from the original 90’s fairy-tale ‘Snow White’ . Some of the elements were
changed and altered to fit with the modern interpretation nevertheless, some elements are kept loyal
to the original.. Such as, one of the biggest highlights of fairy tales which is included is the idea of the
‘happy ever after’ ending. And this is kept in both of the versions as it’s crucial to the main idea of fairy
tales, and for the audience. Secondly, reflecting on Propp's theory of the 31 possible character roles, is
that the film does follow on according to the theory. They have the ‘princess’, the hero,
the helper(s) etc.
Another big thing that fairy tales always show/teach is that good always defeats evil, which is exactly
what happens in the film and also the original story. Looking back on the true 90’s original Snow White
is that a lot of attention was based on her beauty; The pale skin, the full red lips etc. Although it shows
that ‘Snow White’ is unaware of her beauty.
In the modern interpretation of the film, one of the main themes is about beauty, but the interesting
things to it is that, the ‘witch’ continues after Snow White for envy of her beauty (ageing g etc.) and
will stop at nothing for it which is precisely the same as the original fairy tale: referring to the poisoned
apple etc.
Another big thing about both is that Snow White is hugely known for the phrase ‘’Mirror, mirror on the
wall.. Who’s the fairest of them all?’’ and this above all highlights the fact that this is a recent
interpretation of the original.
4. …continued
Few seconds into the trailer we are introduced to
this female character, in a medium close up shot.
This itself highlights the significance of beauty
throughout the film, this is because we see a
clear skin, a serious/evil look almost female
fatale sort of look, and a crown. Whether we
notice or not, immediately our attention goes to
the crown and subconsciously we think ‘who is
she?’
After the first character we are also see her
talking to the Mirror with the well known
phrase.. ‘’Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the
fairest of them all?’’ In which the mirror replies
there is someone, and only then are we
introduced to someone else. ‘Snow White’ in
top of a mountain, in a victorious pose and not
defeated, looking into distance but with a
powerful look. The screen shot represents the
same pose, look etc. as the original Snow
White; a medium close up of ‘Snow White’
laying down eyes closed, like she is in the
original after eating the poison apple. But here
she just looks peaceful and tired.
5. Also an modern, up to date version although it remains loyal throughout most of the film and its true elements. It kept the whole
feeling of ‘magic’ to it, seconds into it and we see Alice falling into the hole; which is probably the way they kept loyal to the
original, as the story is developed when she falls
into the ‘wonderland’ and that’s the meaning of the film.
Throughout the whole film, we probably just have few ‘real characters’ which are Alice, Hamish
– who proposes to Alice, and Anne Hathaway – The White Princess, and of course the guests
at the tea party that we see when the trailer begins.. Although we’re not particularly introduced
to any. The rest of the cast is mainly fictional characters which builds up the idea of the ‘fantasy
world’ which is wonderland – where everything happens and where these characters are
located. For example; The mad hatter, although he is obviously a real character and one of the
main characters. The props used make his appearance look fantasy-like which fits in with the
theme of the film.
6. …continued
Seconds into the film the audience witnesses
Alices character feeling uncomfortable and
unhappy with what’s going on. In this scene is
when
