Area of Study: The Hero

Prescribed Film: Sitch, Rob, The Castle, Roadshow, 1997.

Some key details about the plot and the characters…

Darryl Kerrigan is an average man, living on the edge of an airport insuburban Victoria. He has three sons (one of whom is in jail), a

married daughter and a stay at home wife. He operates a small trucking business and enjoys the simple pleasures; greyhound racing, speed boating and improving his home.

Darryl receives a letter that entails the compulsory purchase of his home by a corporation intent on extending the nearby airport. He hires an inadequate lawyer to represent his neighbours and himself, and several attempts are made to stop the compulsory acquisition.

All efforts fail and Darryl , his family and his neighbours , must move out

of their homes. They face dismal prospects as their finances afford few options.

A chance meeting with a Queen’s counsellor, Lawrence Hammill,results in the case appearing before the High Court of Australia. The court finds in favour of Darryl and his neighbour.

An important part of your essay… is the analysis of the film techniques.

Nothing in a film is accidental. Directors and editors spend hours and months deciding how to shoot a scene and what footage to include in the final cut. Everything you see has been selected to communicate certain ideas about the experience of becoming a true hero.

Specific film techniques also evoke a certain emotional reaction from the audience the techniques take you on an emotional journey of liking – disliking - sympathising with – laughing with – crying with – despairing with… one or more characters. You have to start thinking as a viewer who is fully aware of the ways in which all films are constructions. When discussing films, your arguments should always be supported with reference to filming technique.

Your job is to pick-out the main concepts about The Hero and name, and explain the effect of, the film techniques which represent the particular concept of the ‘Everyday Aussie Hero”

Basic and necessary elements of a film discussion.

Shots Angles Movement

Establishing shot Birds eye view Tracking

Long shot High angle Panning

Full shot Level angle Panorama

Medium shot Low angle Dolly in/Dolly out

Close up Below angle Zoom

Extreme close up Obscure angel Tilt

Cross-cut edits Dutch angle Handheld

Elevate

OTHER: Costume, genre, setting, music, special effects, symbols, size and positioning.

Which ‘concept of the hero’ is being presented?

Integrate the name and

effect of the film

techniques which

present each different

‘concept of the hero’

A well developed answer!

How do film techniques demonstrate the transitions and transformations of the ‘everyday Aussie Hero” in: the ‘ordinary world? The Trigger? The process? The consequences of the hero’s success? • An establishing shot at the beginning of the film shows the family home

directly next to the airport. A low angle shot shows a plan dominating the space above the family home.

• Mid shots of the family home reveal a modest suburban family home. The colloquial and simple language style in Dale’s voice-over narration reveals the working-class socio-economic position of the Kerrigan family. They are an “everyday” Australian family.

• Diegetic sounds of kitchen utensils rattling and the plane flying directly overhead emphasise that despite the tight microcosm of the family

• An establishing shot of Darryl at Bonnydoon, power-lines looming above him, reiterates the simple and modest tastes of the Kerrigans they see beauty and wonder in places that most people would choose to avoid.

• The audience develops a close emotional connection with the ‘imperfect’ Aussie Kerrigan family. The depiction of the eldest son, Wayne, in prison reveals the raw imperfection of the this close-knit family. A close-up shot and angry tone of voice shows that Wayne is enraged and angered by the injustice forced upon on his father and family.

• Tracking shots of Laurie and Daryl fishing suggest that the final transformation of the Hero involves new and enriched perceptions of the self and the broader society.

• The recurring motif of The Trading Post, is a constant point of interest and represents that the Kerrigan’s value resourceful and thrifty management of money.

• Mid shots and close ups of the family enjoying their gifts and listening to stories

of Thailand emphasis that the family’s values of cultural diversity and filial kindness among the family.

• Cross-cut mid shots of Darryl and his wife arguing for their respective opinions and beliefs signify one of the challenges that the couple have to face in fighting for their home and their lives. A sombre ballad performed by Australian Paul Kelly is played during a montage of mid shots of the now despondent family. A close-up shot of Darryl’s anxious facial expressions emphasises the transition to becoming an everyday hero can be extremely emotional and worrying.

• The victory party at the Kerrigan house features a montage of cross-cut editing of hand-held camera, eye-level mid shots and over-the-shoulder perspectives. This different shot types and the camera movement effectively positions the viewer to feel as if they are actually “in” the party too. The audience is invited to celebrate the hero’s final transformation. Here, the audience becomes part of the broader society which is enriched by the tenacious and courageous spirit of the everyday hero.

• Disappointed by the court decision, mid-shots and dialogue inside the Kerrigan home reveal the changed reactions to adverts from the trading post. The sombre and monotone voice in the repeated catchphrase of “tell ‘em they’re dreamin’ reveals the disheartened and defeated mood in the Kerrigan family.

• After the council clerk confirms the bad news, the internal

shots of the government office cut to an external, long track-shot of Darryl walking dejectedly alongside the council building. The contrast of the lonely figure against the large, concrete building symbolises that Daryrl has been made to feel alienated and powerless by the government. The non-diegetic soundtrack of the mournful acoustic song emphasises the hero’s feeling of defeat

a full shot, and the expletive language of Denuto at the malfunctioning photocopier illustrates his questionable abilities and technological shortcomings. The faulty photocopier metaphorically shows the professional incompetence of Darryl’s chosen lawyer. Denuto symbolises one of the obstacles which Darryl encounters in his transition to everyday Aussie hero

Close-up cross-cut edits of numerous Newspaper Headlines and the cut to the “Today Tonight” news broadcast signifies the wide-spread impact that Darry’s heroic victory has had on the broader society. The “little Aussie battler” and the story of his unique victory inspires many more ordinary Australians to be more courageous and tenacious in their everyday lives.

• After the final court-case win, a close-up shot symbolises Dennis Denuto’s new-and-improved photocopier. The cut to a smiling Denuto signifies a new and more positive self-perception of his skill as a lawyer.