20+ Details on “Shrek”, a film that dared to challenge classic animation techniques

From the start, Shrek was created to challenge Disney’s traditions: the new format and concern about whether the film would be well-received or not, the whimsical humor and the different soundtrack. And as we watched the movie, we didn’t even think about delving into the story behind its creation.

we, from awesome.club, we decided to investigate and discovered very interesting facts, some that even changed our view of this masterpiece by the DreamWorks studio. Check out!

DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg used to work at Disney, but because he was not promoted, he decided to leave and found his own studio.

Shrek received the first Oscar for Best Animated Film. This award was first given in 2002 for the 2001 films.

Shrek It was the first non-Disney film of its kind. to be listed in the US National Film Registry.

The film was not an original idea of ​​the creators. He was inspired by the book Shrek!, written by William Steig. The rights to this picture book were originally purchased by Steven Spielberg in 1991, who did not go into production. But 4 years later, he took the movie script to DreamWorks. The director thought of making a traditionally animated feature in the Disney style. But Jeffrey Katzenberg insisted on creating something radically different rather than competing with the other studio.

Shrek Swamp was inspired by a magnolia plantation in Charleston, South Carolina.

The plot of the movie is not the same as that of the book. For example, in the book Fiona was a princess, but she didn’t turn into an ogress overnight, because that’s what she already looked like. And the protagonist, in addition to having a terrifying physiognomy, also knows how to spit fire.

Nicolas Cage was asked to play the role of Shrek, but turned it down because he didn’t want to be associated with a character like that.

the production of Shrek It took 6 years: it started in 1995, and the film was only released in 2001.

Animators who failed other projects were “invited” to work on Shrek, as a punishment. The point is that the film’s creators used the technique of motion capture: recording the motion of actors and transposing it into a digital model. At that time this laborious process was used only in film production, and never in animation.

The team worked in detail with all the textures: hair, fur, grass, moss, leaves. All details were executed with precision. Donkey’s fur moves smoothly in the wind, but doesn’t look like the movement of, say, Fiona’s hair. And Shrek even has a “double chin” when he talks.

In the very first scene of the film, the producers explicitly state their opinion on what they think of typical Disney princess stories: Shrek uses a page from a book as toilet paper. And that already allows viewers to get into the mood for the film.

No songs were written exclusively for the film (as was normal for Disney stories), but existing songs were chosen. Thanks to the popular soundtrack used in the film, Shrek is not just another fairy tale, but a production that is part of the culture pop🇧🇷 At the same time, the soundtrack reflects the mood of each character.

Katzenberg wanted all viewers to enjoy the film: children — the interesting characters and brilliant images, teenagers — the plot, and adults — the atypical jokes of an animated film.

The film’s humor is created by destroying expectations based on traditional fairy tales. When Shrek approaches the princess, we expect a kiss, but he shakes her, yelling, “Get up!” We expect Prince Charming to take care of the bad guys in the forest, but it’s Fiona who deals with them. And so on.

In Shrek there are many references to other animated films. The first feature has many characters from fairy tales: Snow White and the seven dwarfs, the wolf of Little Red Riding Hoodthe three fairies of Sleeping Beauty, Pinocchio, among others. The donkey flying under the influence of magic dust is an allusion to Peter Pan. And Captain Hook in the second production as well. By the plot, Fiona is asleep because of the curse that can only be broken with true love’s kiss, just like Sleeping Beauty.🇧🇷 Fiona singing with a bird in the forest refers to a scene from the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs from 1937.

There are allusions to some movies. Pinocchio with the help of Donkey, in the second feature, who descends into a dungeon to free Shrek and the Cat, refers to the Mission Impossible🇧🇷 Fiona’s fight in the first production mimics Trinity’s in Matrix🇧🇷 The moment with the ring at the beginning of the second movie is an exact copy of a scene from Lord of the Rings. There is also a kiss in the same way as in Spider man 2002, and Puss in Boots clearly imitates Zorro.

At the entrance to the Far Far Away Kingdom the characters see the sign “Far Far Away” which obviously refers to Hollywood. And Lord Farquaad’s castle looks a lot like Disneyland.

In Shrek 2when Fiona meets the Fairy Godmother, there is a scene that copies the famous episode of Marilyn Monroe with the dress being lifted by the wind in the long Sin lives next door. There are also images of Prince Charles as the Fairy Godmother shows Fiona her husband-to-be, and Justin Timberlake on a poster above the bed in his bedroom at his parents’ castle.

It has a curious “inverted” reference. Fiona is a princess who, in reality, is a scary monster. In Beauty and the Beast it’s the opposite: the charming prince has become the beast. Fiona’s transformation at the end of the first film mimics the scene of the beast’s transformation: it rises into the air illuminated by golden light and descends transformed to the ground. But the ending is different: she remains an ogress.

Fiona’s character shatters all stereotypes. First of all, she is not a charming princess, but a scary one. Second, she is not helpless and does not wait for someone to be saved. She can beat up a fake Robin Hood or get coffee in the morning without much effort.

Shrek is an unusual character because his story has no conflict at the beginning. On the contrary, the first scenes of the film show his ideal life. The character conflict is provoked by the arrival of the enchanted characters to the swamp, in other words, with the arrival of the typical characters of the fairy tale itself. In short, Shrek debate with all the classic Disney tales at all levels.

The film does not begin with the story of the princess, but with that of the “prince”, Shrek.

Shrek doesn’t seem like a noble knight who helped create a different character. If we saw Snow White coming out of the bathroom or Cinderella making a candle out of her earwax, it would be weird to say the least. But it is very possible and even natural in the case of Shrek.

Shrek It wouldn’t be such a relevant and significant film if it weren’t the first to talk about an important idea: “It’s a beautiful story about the importance of accepting yourself the way you are!” said Mike Myers, the actor who played Shrek. It’s hard to argue with that.

Which fact did you find most surprising? Maybe, now you watch this movie with a totally different look, what do you think? Share your opinion with us in the comments.