"Rabbit Proof Fence" and Theatrical Representations of a True Story

In order to highlight the different ways that a film maker can tell a story we are comparing and contrasting two films, both based on true events.

Our first film is "Rabbit Proof Fence". We discussed the history of the parlimentary legislation around the Aboriginal Protection Act in Australia. We also reviewed a map of the area where the film took place.
a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/b/bb/20051016224509!Rabbit_proof_fence_Western_australia.jpg">

Critique of a Movie Based on a True Story

Theatrical Movie Based Upon a True Story
1. What truths are presented in movie?



2. Who in the film do you empathize with ?


3. Write about at least 3 techniques the film maker used to cause you to empathize with that character/characters.






4. How have the true events been dramatized to enhance the story’s potential to entertain?





5. How has the director used the musical score of the film to accentuate the themes of the film?


6. How did the director use sound to heighten a character’s reaction to situations?






Point of View
The second step is to recognize that all films based on true stories are biased. The word "bias" is equated with prejudice and information that is slanted in a particular direction. The connotation here is that the information is tainted in a negative way, much the same way the word "propaganda" has taken on connotations of having evil intentions behind it. Another term that might be more useful here is "point of view."
1. From what point of view is the film speaking? What perspective is it offering on events and arguments?



2. Can you relate to this viewpoint or at least understand where it's coming from?



3. Are there multiple viewpoints? Do they agree or contradict each other? Does one come across as more "right" while the other seem more "wrong?"



4. Can you think of some other perspectives that might be out there but not addressed in the documentary?



5. What is the tone of or emotion behind the(se) viewpoint(s)?


6. Why do you think that the negative view has been reduced and barely presented?


7. Write about at least 3 different techniques has the film maker used to cause you to dislike the negative side.






Themes
What are the central ideas or themes of the film and how has the way the movie has been put together helped convey these to the audience? Comment upon: Camera angles, shots, dialogue, voiceover, sound effects, dramatic structure (orientation, complications and resolution), Lighting, editing, etc.
8. Explain using the above how the themes represented in the film?









9. Does the film make you more aware of a part of history or another culture, explain?



10. What was the purpose and the message of the film?





11. Who is the intended audience ? How do you know this?



11. How does the viewer’s culture change his/her reaction to this film? (Do you think we view and react to it differently than a person in Austrailia?) Why? If so, how?

What is a Documentary Film and How is it Constructed?

What is a Documentary Film and How is it Constructed?


When we go to see a movie we have a preconceive notion of what kinds of things should be happening in the film are viewing. This expectation is based on our experience and knowledge of various genres of stories, movies and films. The audience brings their expectations, background knowledge and biases of what the film should be like with them when they view a film. The director uses story telling methods to craft their film.

One of the most notable media theories is that of Tzvetan Todorov and his theory of story development:

Tzvetan Todorov’s 5 Stages of Narrative Patterns:- A stage of equilibrium at the outset.
- A disruption of the equilibrium by some action.
- A recognition that there has been a disruption.
- An attempt to repair the disruption.
- A reinstatement of the equilibrium

Now, there is no narrative police checking to make sure that a film maker follows the established patterns. Thus,

• How is the audience effected when a the pattern is disrupted?
• What effect does the disruption stage have on the audience?
• How does the audience respond?
• Who is responsible for the disruption?
• How does the audience respond once the equilibrium is reinstated through the narrative?
• Some films will return to a state of equilibrium only to then throw in another new disruption or will create an equilibrium that is less than satisfactory. What kind of impact does that have on the audience? Why would a film maker set up a film that way?

Fill in the chart below with simple summaries from various films. The goal here is for you to notice and acknowledge how these different stages of narrative development are embodied in different types of film genres.

(Chart Construction)
Top Line:
Genre Equilibrium Disruption Recognition of Disruption Attempts to Repair Disruption Return to Equilibrium


(Genres - Down the left hand side of the page)
Action


Horror


Science Fiction


Romance


Western


Comedy



Vladimir Propp, a Russian theorist, suggests that there are 8 main types of characters in stories.
It is important to note that sometimes a single character can fill the part of more than one character type. Likewise, there may be several characters who embody a single character type. For example, the father of the princess can be both the father of the heroine and the villain. A group of people or an organization may be the dispatcher.

8 Character Types in Narration:

Hero – is usually the main character whose role is to restore everything back to a state of normalcy or equilibrium.

Villain – usually is set against the hero and is the root cause of the disruption. This disruption may be some sort of physical threat, but it could be a mental disruption as well. Sometimes the threat has to do with another person’s virtue or responsibility.

Dispatcher – Is a person who is in the know, is usually older than the hero, and sets him or her off on their journey to set things right or restore equilibrium. The dispatcher could also be a person sending the hero off into a situation where he/she can prove his/her worth.

Donor – is the person that give the hero some sort of tool/weapon/magic to help him/her on his/her journey. This gift may be a piece of advice, a skill or a weapon.

Helper – is a person who helps the hero restore equilibrium in some way. This may be a friend who is along for the entire journey or it could be a stranger that is met along the way.

Heroine – is usually passive and vulnerable. This character is threatened by the villain in some way and in need of rescuing.

Heroine’s Father – is protective of the heroine. He is often the one to send the hero on the journey. The hero usually needs to persuade him of his/her worth.

False Hero - is a character that seems to be on the side of the hero, they may even be helping the hero, but turns against or deceive the hero at some important juncture during a critical period.

The 8 character Types in __________________________________________________________

Character Type: Character Name: Description of Action/Function:

Hero


Villian


Dispatcher


Donor


Helper


Herione


Herione’s Father


False Hero



The director of a documentary film has many of the same tools available as a director that is creating a feature film. However, it is in the use of those tools that the film emerges looking, sounding and feeling like a documentary. They attempt to use raw footage of film to craft a film that is edifying, thought provoking and entertaining. Each strategy has its strengths and weaknesses. Some styles are more raw and experiential while others are lyrical and bias. All of them aim to convince you to adopt their cause, change you thinking to match theirs or persuade you to take action.


Modes of Address: Qualities Found / Definition: Pro’s: Con’s:


Expository:








Observational:









Interactive:









Reflective:





Types/Kinds of Documentary Films: Qualities Found / Definition: Pro’s: Con’s:


Actual




Creative




Interpretive