Superhero Films - textual features

Superhero Films - textual features

• 1.
  Superhero Action Textual Features Cameraangles/shot and movement Sound Mise en scene and SFX Editing Performance
• 2.
  Camera Angles/Shot andMovement • In this genre the camera is a dynamic participant – Movement is very common • New technology allows the camera to move far more freely and some technology has been specifically designed for this genre • Steadicam • Flying – Cam • Virtual Camera
• 3.
  Camera Angles/Shot andMovement • Whip pans – a very fast pan often used to give the impression that the camera is just keeping up with the action. Combined with a handheld camera this can help to give the scene a ‘documentary/ real feel (verisimilitude) • Crash Zoom – an extremely fast zoom in. Used to emphasis something, often connected with a POV shot. Can make things dramatic and fast paced (linked with editing)
• 4.
  Camera Angles/Shot andMovement • Subjective shot are extremely common (flash word for POV) – sometimes combined with a binocular mask • Use of Wide shot is very common – emphasises the location and actions
• 5.
  Camera Angles/Shot andMovement • Canted angle (Dutch Tilt or Dutch Angle) used a lot, often to indicate an unstable mind • Aerial Shots (birds eye view) – used to again highlight the location, often filmed with the assistance of a crane, building or aircraft.
• 6.
  Camera – Lightingand Colour • Lighting is used in a very dramatic fashion and often used in combination with smoke or particles placed in the air. • Colours are coded to convey specific meaning and sometimes this is different to the traditional connotations.
• 7.
  Sound • Theme orsignature sound is often used (emphasises key action) • Music is used to add ‘shape to an action sequence and create emotion • Key words – Symphonic – Melody – Atonal – Rhythmic – Dissonant or Discordant
• 8.
  Mise en Scene– Costume Design • The look of both the Superhero and Super villain owes much to the costume design, hair and make up. This design is often heavily influenced by graphic novels and comics • The Joker Batman
• 9.
  Mise en scene– Production Design • Settings and locations – Cities, tall buildings, crowded places full of innocence people • Props again are heavily influenced by graphic novels and comic books – key items are expected. Cool/ New technology and gadgets are common and looked for by the audience. • Sometimes the city is almost like a character.
• 10.
  Mise en scene- SFX • Of central importance's in many superhero films and in many cases have replaced the physical pro-filmic aspects of the film (explosions, realistic fights etc) • Key words – Models and miniatures – Matte painting – Animation/ CGI – Makeup / Prosthetics – Physical effects (stunts)
• 11.
  Editing • As chases,races and escapes are key narrative elements, editing pace is also very important (fact paced) • Over cranking – Speeding up the frame rate (speed that the films strips passes through the camera). Play back is slow motion • Under cranking – slowing down the frame rate. Play back is accelerated motion • Other key words – Cross Cutting/ Parallel Editing – Action Match – Continuity Editing
• 12.
  Performance • Actors needto be physically powerful in order for the audience to ‘believe’. • We expect to see very physical confrontations (combat work) between heroes and villains (choreographed • Combat work can be elaborate with the use of wires (wire work) • Elaborate stunts • Emotionless facial expressions and suppressed emotional responses (don’t really feel pain) • Dialogue is kept to a minimum but catchphrases are common
• 13.
  Essay Task • Todemonstrate that you have understood the course content thus far you are going to write an essay that explores genre and conventions. You will need to make specific reference to the ideas (characters, narrative, textual features) we have discussed in class and use detailed examples from both films. It is also important that you have a clear argument and use the essay format to convince the marker that you are right! As you are marked on literacy you also need to watch the spelling, punctuation and grammar. You will also need to structure your essay well. I have given you a set structure below and don’t forget to PEE on your work! • You should aim to make the essay 600 – 800 word long and it must be completed by 3rd March – the next time I teach you
• 14.
  How well dothe films you have study fit the conventions of their genre • Introduction – Define what a Superhero film (genre conventions) is and whether or not both films fit or break the conventions (they do both). Explain why genre and conventions are important. • Key Point One – Talk about how the narrative structure/events fit or don’t fit, with specific examples from both films • Key Point Two – Talk about how the characters fit and challenge conventions, again use detailed examples (both films). • Key Point Three – Talk about the technical features – how well do the films fit with what you have learnt in this ppt. Give specific examples (both films). • Conclusion – Give your own thought about how the films fit/break conventions. Talk about why it is important to break convention
• 15.
  Mark Scheme • Level4 candidates will be distinguished by very good knowledge and confident understanding of their chosen films and be able to make detailed and accurate reference to them. There will be a direct and complex engagement with the question and points of view will be developed very effectively. There will be a very good knowledge of narrative, genre and representation issues and how meaning is constructed. There will be evidence that contextual knowledge is being used well. The work will be wellstructured. There will be a clear and confident 'voice'. • Very good comparisons will be made and there will be confident knowledge of context. • Quality of written communication will be very good. It will be fluent, well-structured and accurate with clear references to the chosen films. There may be signs of sophistication. • For marks at the upper end of this level (37-40) candidates will be excellent in the areas identified above.