Shaun the sheep analysis
- 1. Shaun the Sheep Movie (2015) The Shaun the Sheep Movie is an example of British cinema. This offers a means for British culture to be shown across the world. By being released by significant name in animation, Shaun the Sheep is classed as a mainstream film, so Aardman used their own money to create the film. StudioCanal, a major French film company, released the film through their UK division and their Anton Capital Entertainment subsidy. Amazon Prime Instant Video also distributed the film through an online media. Production was undertaken by Bristol-based animation company Aardman, among the most notable names in British animation. The more complicated visual effects were produced by Axis Visual Effects, who also have business in Bristol. The film was also sponsored by Headway Brain Injury Association, which explains the presence of the farmer having amnesia for much of the film. Because it is a family film, there were certain expectations that had to be met and restrictions imposed on what kind of content would be allowed. For example, violence was significantly limited to comical slapstick, as humour can easily be justifiable if anything occurs. Use of obscenity was also restricted heavily, but this was easily bypassed by the lack of proper dialogue, even from human characters. However, some visual adult is allowed provided that younger audiences interpret it as something else. The film relies heavily on Claymation in Aardman’s signature style. As a result, there are several different sections required to complete the film. Before animation can start, the characters and sets have to be built and modelled to an exact plan to make sure nothing broke during the shoot. And during animation, a physical camera is placed in the physical set to shoot every motion frame by frame, making Claymation is a slow process. This shows, as production started in 2011, but it took over three years to complete and release. Some more complicated scenes, such as characters jumping, needed to be digitally placed into the set, as a stabilisation rod would be impractical and show in the finished product, which is undesirable. These effects were created by Axis Visual Effects. StudioCanal were responsible for distributing the film through their UK subsidy, formerly known as Optimum Releasing. It was first shown at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2015 before a wide release the next month. In cinemas, it made use of Dolby Digital Sound, which was used for recording as is the case for most modern films. It was also released online through Amazon Prime Instant Video. As it is mainstream, numerous common features appear in this film. One of the more noticeable traits is the presence of anthropomorphic animals, that being the flock of sheep and Bitzer the sheepdog. Other common traits include the presence of a main character who wants more out of life and the use of humour, which is mostly physical due to the lack of proper dialogue, though there are a number of puns, such as a cow flying over a pub sign saying “The Moon” as an obvious nod to “The Cat and the Fiddle”. There is also some humour intended for adults, as is custom in more modern animated films. A more obvious example, depending on which perspective is considered, is the pigs of the farm dancing to Primal Scream’s “Rocks”, which contains the refrain “Get your rocks off, get your rocks off honey, shake it down now, bring it up downtown.” Without subtitles, these rather blatant lyrics may fly over the heads of younger viewers and actually requires a considerable amount of attention to pick up. It also makes use of pop-culture references, as there is a montage of the farmer spreading across social media as a celebrity hairstylist. There is also a scene where the caravan the farmer is in nearly crashes and everyone looks on in shock except for two teenage boys who film it on a smartphone. There are even some instances of fist-bumping between characters, such as two lobsters in the restaurant after chaos has died down.
- 2. There are common traits in the plot as well. The plot is only set in motion by a series of mishaps and the main character’s subsequent motivation: without the farmer, chaos unravels on the farm because Shaun wanted a break from his usual routine. This plot point also sets the film’s stakes in motion, as without order chaos will only get worse. There are also several instances where the intentions of the protagonist go awry. These are usually resolved, such as Bitzer and Shaun ending up in the Animal Containment Unit, but freeing themselves in a comical manner. When this happens, the stakes of the film are raised significantly by the main antagonist driven to the point of wanting to kill them for escaping, giving a significant danger to the main protagonists. During this sudden turn, the main protagonists briefly abandon hope after the farmer, still suffering from amnesia, shoos them off. This takes slightly longer to resolve, but it resolves in a touching way, as emotional scenes are also common in animation as a way to reach the audience. It also ends with a setup for a potential sequel, which is also common in modern film in general. It can be argued that Shaun the Sheep is revisionist, as it uses a technique that is unique to Aardman Animation, a technique that was not notable until Aardman had established itself in the short film industry. However, it can also be argued that it is classical, as it carries on a technique that has been used for decades by the same studio. Because it is classed as mainstream, there are several notable names in the film. One of Aardman’s most prominent figures, Nick Park, acted as executive producer for the film. He also makes a cameo in Claymation form as a bird-watcher whose tent is pulled off and is attacked by the birds he is watching. The voice cast also features some notable names. The most notable is Omid Djalili, the voice of the main antagonist. Djalili is a stand-up comedian, producer and actor. His acting career started with 1999’s “The Mummy” and “Notting Hill”, both of which were significant box office successes. He also appeared in 2007’s “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End”, a multi-million- dollar Hollywood movie that earned over $900m at the box office. Another notable name is Justin Fletcher, a popular children’s entertainer who plays the voice of the main protagonist, Shaun, and Timmy the lamb. Fletcher has received several awards for his work in children’s television, winning the 2008 and 2010 BAFTA for Best Children’s Presenter for “Something Special” and has even been awarded an MBE. Another comedian, John Sparkes, appears in the film as the farmer and Bitzer the sheepdog. Sparkes is a Welsh comedian best known for his “Barry Welsh” character, which won four BAFTA Cymru awards for Light Entertainment. Some notable musicians are also included in the film’s soundtrack. The ending theme, a reworking of the theme song of the original theme song, is performed by alternative hip-hop duo Rizzle Kicks, who were popular around the time of the film’s release. The most prominent song, “Summer with You”, is performed by Tim Wheeler of Ash, who were prominent in the 1990s Britpop movement. Eliza Doolittle, who emerged in the early-2010s, also has a song featured on the soundtrack. The score was also composed by a notable musician: Ilan Eshkeri is relatively notable, having written scores for a handful of successful films such as 2007’s “Stardust” and 2011’s “Johnny English Reborn”. There are social and political issues discussed in the film as well. For example. there is a clear hierarchy among the characters with Shaun, the lead character, being the leader of the flock of sheep. He, though, is managed by Bitzer the sheepdog who is owned by the farmer. As is customary in stories involving hierarchy, Shaun wants more out of life but is restricted by higher tiers, so he begins to distrust the farmer. However, when the farmer does become absent, chaos ensues across the farm. This is usually referred to as anarchy, but anarchism means order without government. A more appropriate term is “libertarianism”, which means chaos without order.
- 3. It is only when this disorder ensues that Shaun goes to try and find the farmer, a reluctant hero story that is more interesting than a willing hero. Unbeknownst to him, the farmer has been diagnosed with amnesia, a move likely enforced by their sponsor, Headway Brain Injury Association, in an effort to increase awareness of brain injuries and memory loss. Discrimination is also discussed, as there are scenes of animals being “contained” by an animal catcher, who is the main antagonist of the film. This also brings up the subject of imprisonment and escape as the flock attempt to free Shaun and Bitzer from the Animal Containment Unit. Friendship and affection is also frequently brought up during the film, but it is most prominently portrayed during and after the climax, as this helps the farmer overcome his amnesia and is shared between Shaun and Bitzer after they overcome the main antagonist. 1. Anon. (2014). Shaun the Sheep Movie. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaun_the_Sheep_Movie. Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 2. Anon. (2005). StudioCanal UK. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/StudioCanal_UK. Last accessed 4th Jan 2018. 3. Anon. (2002). Dolby Digital. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Digital. Last accessed 4th Jan 2018. 4. Anon. (2002). Nick Park. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Park. Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 5. Anon. (2004). Omid Djalili. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omid_Djalili. Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 6. Anon. (2003). The Mummy (1999 film). Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Mummy_(1999_film). Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 7. Anon. (2003). Notting Hill (film). Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notting_Hill_(film). Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 8. Anon. (2005). Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pirates_of_the_Caribbean:_At_World%27s_End. Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 9. Anon. (2006). Justin Fletcher. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Fletcher. Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 10. Anon. (2004). John Sparkes. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Sparkes. Last accessed 5th Jan 2018. 11. Anon. (2007). Ilan Eshkeri. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ilan_Eshkeri. Last accessed 5th Jan 2018.