Coraline learning resource

Introducing genre

• Discuss the meaning of genre with a classmate. Come up with a definition and make a list of genres. Share these with the rest of the class.
• Watch the trailer (above) and explain what genre/s Coraline fits into and why you say that.

Coraline: The Novel

Coraline is based on a novel by the celebrated fantasy author Neil Gaiman. It's very entertaining, so it is well-worth buying or borrowing from the library. However, if you don't have a copy, you can get a preview here.

• Read pages 11 and 12.
• What sound effects could be added to give this scene even more atmosphere?
• Sketch the shapes that appear in Coraline's nightmare. Make them as creepy as possible. Compare the different versions created by your classmates.

Respond

• In groups, share what stood out for you when you watched the film. Which scene/s did you find the most memorable?
• Compare the responses of your group members. Which aspects of the film do you agree on? How do your responses and opinions differ?
• In your group, make a list of adjectives that describe the film. Share your list with the rest of the class. You will be able to use some of this vocabulary when you write about the film.

More about genre

• Think back to your discussion of Coraline's genre based on the trailer. How did the film match up with your expectations? (If you've seen Coraline before, you might like to consider how knowing what was going to happen changed your experience of the film narrative.)
• If you were describing the film to a friend, what kind of film would you say it is to them? Explain your answer.
• Neil Gaiman has described Coraline as a "dark fairytale". What do you think of this description? How does it connect with your experience of the film? What aspects of the film could be said to have the quality of a dark fairytale?

Genre conventions

Coraline is initially attracted to the 'other' world where she can get the fun and attention she is missing out on in her real life. However, viewers are always aware that Coraline should be 'careful what she wishes for', and that the other family is not to be trusted. We know this because of the way the film is shot, the use of light and shadow, sound and a range of other film techniques. The elements that tell the audience we are watching a fantasy/horror film or a "dark fairytale" are called genre conventions.

• Watch the clip (below) that shows Coraline's discovery of the other world.
• Working as part of a small group of 3 or 4, explain all the ways the creepiness of the other world is communicated.
• Think about camera shots, visual language (colour, light, shapes, sets), dialogue, characters, music and sound effects.
• Use the scene analysis worksheet to help guide and record your discussion. (It is available as a word document and a pdf.)

Alternative realities

Coraline begins by contrasting the bright fantasy 'other' world with the real world where Coraline feels bored, unhappy and neglected.

• What are the main differences between the everyday world and the other world in Coraline?
• Compare the screenshots below and explain how colour, light and setting are used to convey the ordinariness of the real world in image 1 and the specialness of the fantasy world in image 2.

When you do this kind of visual analysis, you are focusing on mise en scene, which is the word for everything that makes up the visual story in a film -- setting, light, colour, people (in this case puppets), costume, shapes and composition (where things are placed).

• Compare the two worlds using other screenshots and see what else you notice.
• How and what does this analysis add to your understanding of the fiilm narrative?

Colour

In Coraline, so much is communicated through the use of colour and light.

• Rewatch the trailer and give example of how colour is used to communicate information about:
  • the alternate worlds
  • the different characters
• How do the different colour palettes build mood and atmosphere?
• Why do you think Coraline's hair is blue, even in the real, everyday world? What does this communicate about the character?
• What do Coraline's colourful clothes communicate? Compare her character's costumes with those of her real-world parents.

Music and sound effects

• Watch the scene (below) and explain how sound is used to make the creepy visuals even creepier.
• Describe the different sound effects as well as the music.
• Explain how the other mother's voice becomes part of the creepy soundtrack. How would you describe her voice in this scene?
• Play the scene without any sound and consider what is added by sound and dialogue.

Stop motion animation

Coraline is directed by Henry Selick who is also the director of A Nightmare Before Christmas and James and the Giant Peach. All of these films were made using stop motion puppet animation.

Coraline was made by Laika animation studios.

• Visit the website to find out more about the making of the movie.
• Take the time to learn more about the stages of animation, as this will give you great insights into the characters and the story.

Characters

Coraline

Coraline is the protagonist of this narrative. As the main character, it is her role to drive the story forward with her actions.

• Make a list of adjectives that describe Coraline's character.
• What qualities stand out most about Coraline?
• How does her character and personality influence what happens to her?
• Why do you think she has blue hair? What does this communicate about her?
• What do Coraline's clothes communicate about her and her personality?

As the protagonist, Coraline's character follows what screenwriters call a character arc. A character arc maps what a character learns through the events of the narrative and how this often leads them to change.

• Use the worksheet (below) to explain what Coraline learns and how she changes.

Wybie

When a book is adapted for the screen, various elements of the story need to be changed. One change in Coraline is the inclusion of the character Wybie. Henry Selick, who wrote the adaptation, included this character so that Coraline would have someone to communicate her thoughts and feelings to.

• Describe Wybie and his role in Coraline.
• Give two or three examples of moments where we find out more about what Coraline is thinking and feeling through her interaction with Wybie.
• You can read more about Wybie here.
• Why does the other mother create other Wybie?
• What happens between other Wybie and Coraline? Can you explain what is being communicated through their connection?

Coraline's mother and the other mother

These two characters were voiced by the actor Teri Hatcher. Her voice acting helped the animators communicate the distinctive movements and behaviours for these similar-looking characters.

• Watch the video below to get an idea of how Hatcher approached the role of voicing the two mothers.
• Use the worksheet below to identify the similarities and differences between these two characters.

Minor characters

Coraline features a range of distinctive and memorable characters, who all have a role to play in the narrative.

As a class divide the minor characters groups or pairs of students. Each group can analyse their allocated character and then share with the rest of the class.

• Explain who or what your character is.
• What is their role in the film?
• How do they contribute to the story?
• What do they look like? Describe their appearance with reference to colour, shape, hair, face, expressions, movements etc.
• How does their appearance connect with their role in the narrative and the world/reality they are part of?
• What does your character sound like? Do they have dialogue? If so, how does what they say contribute to the narrative. If they don't have dialogue, how and what do they communicate?

Themes

• In pairs, list the main themes and ideas explored in Coraline.
• Choose a theme or idea you consider significant and explain how it is portrayed in the film.

Coraline has been described as a dark fairytale, but perhaps it is better understood as a fable. A fable is a story that teaches us a lesson about life. According to Coraline's tagline, this lesson is: "Be careful what you wish for".

Discuss as a class:

• Have you heard this message/warning before?
• What does it actually mean?
• How does it apply to the Coraline story?
• How might it apply to your lives?

Create

Dark fairytale

A number of fairy tales combine fantasy and horror in a similar way to Coraline.

• As a class, list as many horrifying fairytales as you can think of. (Hansel and Gretel, Little Red Riding Hood, The Red Shoes, Bluebeard)
• Write a "dark fairytale or fable that takes your protagonist on a terrifying journey or into a strange world where they learn a lesson.
• You can create and communicate the setting and characters using striking visual language, or combine drawings and writing to in the style of a graphic novel.

Parallel reality

In groups:

• Plan and design a short scene for your own parallel reality animation.
• How does this parallel reality relate to the real world?
• What is different about it?
• What emotions does this alternate world inspire?
• Is it a frightening other world or is it magical and exciting?
• What terrifying, exciting, confusing things might be discovered in this parallel world?
• Draw sketches of your parallel reality including settings and main characters.
• Design a storyboard that tracks the character/s arrival in this new world.
• What type of shots will you used? (Close up, wide shot, high angle or low angle)
• What colour palette will set the scene and why?
• What sounds and music will be used to create atmosphere and communicate the mood of this parallel reality?
• If you are really keen, you can try creating this arrival scene using stop motion animation.