Analysis of ‘Alice in Wonderland’WEEK 2

As a producer, it is important that the audience are fully aware of your brand as it ensures that they are able to recognise it at a later stage. The introduction to a movie with the brand logo increases familiarity so that they return to a trusted brand. This is similar to ‘Snow White and the Huntsman’ which I previously analysed.

My Role as a Producer

"Dressing Props" - the furniture, drapes, flooring, etc., used to dress sets

"Hand Props" - items which are used or held by Actors

"Hero Props" - objects central to the action in a scene

"Stunt Props" - replica items made of soft materials

"Mechanical Props" - which may move or illuminateProps also include weapons, such as guns and knives, and greenery and foliage including trees and plants.

Using props in movies are vital, they place items in a scene that help the audience familiarise with the setting, or are able to infer the type of environment they are in. One example is the scene pictured to the left, the props used in this establishment scene in ‘Alice in Wonderland’ sets the scene for the audience. The vast use of props related to wealth in this scene allow the audience to understand the background of their protagonist – Alice. Some of the props include: garden furniture, tables with umbrellas, musicians playing music, and serving trays and cutlery.

The Use of Props

In this medium shot of the ‘mad hatter’ in ‘Alice and Wonderland’, the audience is presented with props that indicate a type of party or gathering has/or is about to occur – a tea party. The well known story of ‘Alice in Wonderland’ is the first mention of this tea party, in order to follow traditions of the fairy tale the producers have made sure that the appropriate props have been used to show this. The props used include: a tea pot, tea cups, sweet and savoury foods, a decorated table and seats to accommodate guests.

The Use of Props

This long shot of the ‘Queen of Hearts’ allows the audience to know that she hold some kind of powerful position within the film. The props in the room show this authority: the use of a throne – thrones are generally recognised for being used by royalty and people in positions of power, as she sits on one it gives an automatic impression that she is a person that has this power. Another prop used is the stained glass hearts above her, she is ‘The Queen of Hearts’ so it is only right that one of the props included in a scene where she appears to have a lot of power would be something heart shaped.

Though the use of props the audience understand the position and status of the characters, this allows the audience to further there understanding of why certain events are happening and help them understand the film.

Location

These two establishing shots of location allow the audience to ‘establish’ the scene. The first frame (pictured on the left) shows the and privileged background of Alice, the protagonist. The bright openness of the location and the large country manor in the background indicates happiness and the wealth the family possesses. However in contrast, ‘Wonderland’ (on the right) is the complete opposite. The vague image of a castle in the distance surrounded by darkness portrays mystery, this is appropriate as the story of ‘Alice and Wonderland’ is one about mystery and adventure which this setting/location portrays.

Lighting The scene pictured to my left shows the use of natural lighting, this particular use of lighting is significant as this is prior to Alice falling down the hole into ‘Wonderland’. The natural lighting used in the beginning of the film shows the lack of mystery, potential danger and ‘the unknown’ she is about to discover.

In contrast, this scene (to the left) lacks any form of lighting. This is used to express the mystery of ‘Wonderland’ and the fairy tale genre and shows the change from security and safety into the mystery that Alice is exposed to.