Macleans College. Media Studies 2012. Mrs. Bowie

Macleans College. Media Studies 2012. Mrs. Bowie Fantasy Genre – Film An Introduction

NZQA Assessment Specifications 1.4 Demonstrate understanding of characteristics of a media genre Candidates will be required to describe significant characteristics of a genre, explain reasons for their use, and explain an implication(s) of that use. They will be expected to support their discussion with specific examples from media texts, from their chosen genre.

Useful Definitions genre: fantasy: fantastic: mythical: talismans:

Fantastic phenomena:

Defining Fantasy Genre Macleans College. Media Studies 2012. Mrs. Bowie

One central aspect of fantasy stories is that they feature a break with our sense of reality. Fantasies tell stories that would be impossible in the real world. They frequently concern mythical creatures or involve events that circumvent physical law (e.g. Harry Potter boards Hogwarts Express at platform 9 ¾ at King’s Cross Station in London).

The fantasy genre has its roots in other film genres such a Science-Fiction and Horror, and in many cases the three genres overlap each other. Fantasy films comprise of ‘fantastic’ story elements (e.g. magic or supernatural beings), that are important to the film’s story-world. The presence of fantastic phenomena which goes beyond rational and scientific principles, is what sets fantasy apart from other genres. For example, in science fiction, the ability to instantly transport oneself to a distant location will be justified with scientific principles (or partly scientific principals) e.g. “beam me up, Scotty”, while in fantasy it may be attributed to magic, as in the Harry Potter movies, where characters skilled in magic can use an old boot to “disapparate” from one place to another.

Viewers of fantasy films take pleasure in the film’s ability to allow the viewer to escape their reality. Fantasy films offer imaginative and playful worlds in contrast to a world of rationality, work and conformity. They appeal to the audience’s desire to fantasize, to play, to escape, and to engage in imaginative pursuits.

Characteristics of Fantasy Genre

1. Journeys or Quests: Fantasy narratives often involve a coming of age story featuring journeys or quests that result in the protagonist’s personal or spiritual growth. These protagonists are often orphans for example, in the Chronicles of Narnia the Pevensie Macleans College. Media Studies 2012. Mrs. Bowie

children are orphans; Frodo in Lord of the Rings is also an orphan; in Pan’s Labyrinth, Ofelia’s father is dead, and in Labyrinth, Sarah Williams lives with her stepmother. Can you think of anymore examples? These ‘orphans’ are not held back by parental authority and are free to adventure. During the journey / quest, the character experiences a significant transformation of character – this is a central element of fantasy films.

2. Characters:

(a) Child characters:

(b) Characters from humble beginnings:

(c) Villan: searches for immortality and this is linked with immorality.

3. Magic and The Supernatural: Fantasy films such as Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings feature diametrically opposed forms of magic: 1) “Faerie” (good magic) characterizes the world of good magic; and evil magic used to destroy. Link to technology and its uses (atom power) and the use of power and influence over people.

4. The Use of CGI Technology: The 1986 fantasy film Labyrinth showed off the first use of a realistic CGI animal. A flying digital owl is seen in the opening credits. The first LOTR movie gave us the first use of AI for digital actors. The character of Gollum seen later on in the Lord of the Rings trilogy was the first photorealistic motion captured character for a film. A motion capture suit recorded movements that were then applied to the digital character. 5. Themes: themes of solidarity and friendship (e.g. ); good versus evil ( e.g. ); the perils of absolute power (e.g. ; overcoming the odds (e.g. ); ideas about home (e.g. ) )