Titanic - First links

Planning for my presentation script I am going to create links between my research and my chosen scenes so that I can begin to piece together my argument and bring the whole thing together to fully explain my thoughts and ideas backed up by the correct evidence.

Looking firstly at Titanic I want to firstly focus on the consumer demands and the result of this on the fact and fiction in the film. This is all backed up by my secondary source 'Titanic' by BFI. Right from the very beginning with my first key scene, fact is mixed with fiction. James Cameron's choice to use real footage of the wreckage and directed scenes and merging them together is key example of artistic licence. The use of artistic licence is also represented by the tow main characters, Jack and Rose. By creating fictional characters Cameron is then allowed to create back stories with empathy and personalities which are either relatable of likable. By doing this, Cameron merges fact and fiction in a way that blurs the line and makes the audience question the difference. I feel this is key part of my investigation as it highlights the need to adjust a story for a better cinematic experience and therefore abide by consumer demand.

The scenes I have chosen I the film perfectly highlight the need for fiction in this film. Although Cameron wanted to get across the tragedy of the event he also is allowing himself to show good times on the ship, particularly when a 1st class lady is introduced to the 3rd class decks and has an amazing time dancing with new people especially Jack. However, by the end of the film the spectator is rooting for Jack and Rose to stay together and continue to love each other. By having the scene however Jack dies, James Cameron is enhancing emotion felt by the audience. The fact that Cameron included a fiction death does not suggest that the real event was not tragic enough but however that consumers demand for an experience only made available though fiction. This helps me to understand why James Cameron blurred the line between fact and fiction.