The document analyzes the film The Butterfly Effect. It discusses how the protagonist experiences different perspectives by taking on different roles throughout the film. This makes the character hard to fit into a stereotype. The film uses experimental techniques like special effects during flashback scenes and replacing sound with music to heighten emotions. It explores the butterfly effect theme of how small changes can have large consequences.

1. The protagonist experiences different
viewpoints – at one point he is a
popular kid at college, a prisoner, an
amputee, etc.. This means he does
not fit into any real stereotypical
character type.
Small village, town,high school
– relatable and believable
settings and scenarios
Setting
Making a decision and a
sacrifice to benefit others
Narrative
Solving problems
Characters
Features a princess character that the
main character fights to be with
The Butterfly
Effect
Eric Bress 2004
Special effects rather than plain cuts when
protagonist has flashbacks – the camera
rotates around Even as the surroundings
become distorted. It zooms in to involve
the audience as he goes back to his past
Sound
Editing
Scene at Kayleighs funeral where all sound is
replaced with sad music to heighten
emotions
Metz theory – the film is
experimental as it takes
conventions and changes them, for
example, there is no antagonist in
the film. It may also be considered
a deconstruction as it contains scifi elements (time travel).
The Butterfly Effect – an aspect
of chaos theory explored in the
film
Theories
Themes
Mental Strength – something
needed by the protagonist to
overcome problems

2. Younger policeman is
attractive – conventional
of most protagonists
Large city, desert, old buildings –
abandoned old buildings are
conventional as they create tension
as the characters are isolated
Psychopathic serial killer –
conventional antagonist of
a thriller film
Setting
Mystery to be solved
by the protagonists
Narrative
Characters
Two detectives – used
to facing danger in
their every day lives
Slow music
Se7en
David Fincher
1995
Panning shots to
show the scene upon
the detectives
inspection
Editing
Sound
Ticking – builds tension as
the protagonist are in a
race against time
Metz – the film is a
deconstructional example as
it also has aspects of the
crime fiction and horror
genre
Theories
Mystery that
needs to be
solved
Themes
Age is a theme as the
retiring detective has
to work with the new
detective in order to
solve the mystery

3. Typical American city – big
buildings, suburban areas
Unpopular teenager with
an abusive parent gets
powers. He has not
experienced having power
before so he ends up
abusing it.
Whilst attending a party, three high school friends gain
superpowers after making an incredible discovery
underground. Soon, though, they find their lives spinning out
of control and their bond tested as they embrace their darker
sides.
Setting
Narrative
Characters
Other friends who portray the
protagonist are not as strong as the
other friend follows general
conventions as the antagonist is
originally more powerful
All filmed on a hand-held
camera to see the
perspective of the
characters
Chronicle
Josh Trank 2012
Editing
Sound
Intense sound builds up as they
approach the rock that gives
them powers, this creates
tension
Theories
Neale – explores repeated conventions
but changes them – for example, the
three friends at the start appear to be
the protagonists but one turns evil and
is the antagonist.
Friendship
Social anxiety
Themes
Power