Audience Appeals
One audience appeal is the transition of stereotypical and unorthodox outcast nerd to popular and liked individual. ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ takes on a satirical approach to the sincerity of individuals within the school environment and how what is popular isn’t necessarily best.
‘Napoleon
Dynamite’ is comical to audiences as the film journeys through a chapter of the
protagonist’s life as he stumbles across friendship, love, acceptance and
problems faced in adolescence.
The
use of low angle medium shot allows the audience to see Napoleon standing
outside his home. The use of low angle implies that Napoleon has authority not
only because he is the dominant aspect but because the spectator feels as
though Napoleon is looking down on them. Although, it could be argued that,
Napoleon is made to look vulnerable through the use of low angle.The use of non-diegetic sound adds emphasise onto Napoleon's loneliness; the only sounds to be heard are crickets and birds. The lighting within 'Napoleon Dynamite' is not artificial as it uses natural, sunlight therefore, this makes the film seem as though the characters, setting and narrative is realistic. Due to the low angle medium shot, the spectator is also able to see the clear, blue sky above Napoleon. Through pathetic fallacy coming from the clearness of the sky, the narrative is foreshadowed with a joyful and positive approach.
Yet this is juxtaposed when we see the emotion on Napoleons face; the fact that he does not show that he himself is in an upbeat mood through his facial expressions suggest that he knows something different to what the audience know leaving them intrigued and curious as to why he is like this.
The
beginning film titles are made entirely from various food items seen within the
film belonging to certain characters. For example, food with cast and crew
names written in sauce, library books, notebooks, pencils, lip balm, sweet packets.
The
titles are simplistic yet creative. The appeal is that everyday items are being
used in an extraordinary way; this is eye catching for the audience making them
want to see more of the film.
The
idea that objects that would not be necessarily used for film titles are being
used, helps to foreshadow what is to come later on in the narrative; something
that is unusual yet liked is made centre of the shot, much like the character
'Napoleon' who is leading protagonist.
Genre Conventions
Genre
conventions within ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ include phrases and iconic clothing. For
example, ‘Vote for Pedro’ is a popular phrase taken from the indie film which
is printed on Napoleon’s t-shirt. Using phrases within film makes the film more
memorable and allows the audience to buy into the production through synergy.
Themes
Subjects
and issues such as popularity and independence are highlighted within ‘Napoleon
Dynamite’. Due to film being distributed by MTV Films, its target audience is a
niche audience which ranges between the ages of 16-25. ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ is
an unconventional hero to all adolescents as he can be seen to be unorthodox
yet accepted. This tells the audience to be themselves.
Issues
of representation
Issues
of representation within ‘Napoleon Dynamite’ are stereotyping and how teenagers
are perceived to be. Due to Napoleon Dynamite being a comical character, this
implies that he cannot take subjects seriously therefore, teenagers cannot take
anything seriously.
Directed and written by Jared Hess, Napoleon
Dynamite was produced by Fox Searchlight Pictures, Paramount Pictures and Mtv
Films and distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures within 2004.'Napoleon
Dynamite' estimated budget to produce the film was $400,000 but by 2005, its
estimated gross amount was $44,540,956. 'Napoleon Dynamite' is classed as an
art house film as it is an independent film that is made to target a specific
target audience; in this case, 16 - 25 year olds. Moreover, this film was
showcased at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival, Utah.