Film structure and characters

Most films have the 3-act structure. The beginning, middle, and end. At the beginning of the film, the protagonist often appears in a stage of equilibrium. In other words, the character often begins with a harmonious, peaceful situation. Then something happens to break the balance and lead to a sequence of events which may challenge the protagonist. After that, the protagonist will experience much frustration and in this process it may change and strive to survive in the adversity. In the end, the problems or events will be solved and reach the final equilibrium. For instance, the movie “Shrek Forever After” of which the protagonist is the monster Shrek has the 3-act structure. The film starts with a very harmonious scene: Shrek, her wife princess Fiona and their Triplets baby lived a peaceful happy life. Shrek has become a domesticated family man. However, Shrek was fed up with the life which had nothing to do with a real monster’s life day by day, so he became anxious and fretful. Finally after quarreling with Fiona one day, He left his cozy home, looking for the things a real monster should do. This scene is a transition to the middle. Then Shrek met the Rumpelstiltskin who offer him a contract that would help him back to the old life, Shrek couldn't resist the offer so he agreed. Rumpy had a pretty good deal – all Shrek had to give him to get a day off was a day from his own life. Unfortunately the day that Rumpy decided to take out of Shrek's life was the day that he was born, meaning that, since Shrek was never born, he never existed. Shrek finds himself in a twisted, alternate version of far Away, where Rumpy has now ascended to king, ogres are hunted, and Fiona was a hunting ogre and the leader of a bunch of other hunting ogres. At the third act, Shrek regretted and decided to pursue Fiona again using his own ability. He helped Fiona beat enemies and she finally remembered him. In the film, Shrek had changed two times, and the second time he woke up to reality which make the movie a happy ending. 

Character design plays a pivotal role in film-making. There are four aspects: protagonist, antagonist, dialogue and stereotype. In “Shrek Forever After”, Shrek is the protagonist who experienced a conflict with the antagonist Rumpelstiltskin. Rumpy is the cause of the conflict, he used Shrek’s intention to be a real ogre to frame him up and won himself a large fortune. The dialogue between them was started with the contract which made Shrek get into trouble. It shows Rumpy’s evil face and let us knows his bad image. The movie is kind of stereotype which describes a man beat his enemy and finally live a happy life with his wife. Shrek, as the following picture shows, is a monster, a fearful ogre, but he has a kind heart. He never fear people and got very well with others. He is a man full of courage and a good husband. In the film, he got lost in the quiet life at first but finally found what he really wanted.

The Rumpelstiltskin has a red brown hair, looks blackness and contemptible. He is a man who only cares about money and the end justifies the means. As a result, he reaped as what one has sown.

Other characters like Fiona, donkey, they are all interplayed. Without donkey and other friends help, Shrek will not find the real thing he need. Similarly, without Rumpelstiltskin, there would be no conflicts. To some extend, he is the essential role of the film. Fiona is a important role, too. Without her Shrek would not realize his fault.

In conclusion, Film structure decides the narrative pattern and the way it communicate to audience. Meanwhile, the character makes up the basis of the film. They influence and interact each other.

Reference:
1."Shrek Forever After (2010)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Retrieved August 22, 2010.