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GCSE Film Studies Exam 2014 Revision Guide Superhero Genre
Q1. 10 marks, 10 minutes
After watching the clip, this question will ask you to identify
a chosen micro element (Mise-en-scene, Cinematography, Sound and
Editing) and say why it is used. You will then be asked to choose
two different micro elements and say how they are used to create
excitement for audience. Think about how some of these
are conventions of the genre.
CHARACTER VOCAB H ero leader of the quest, many skills,
knowledge, bravery, attractive _________________ A ntagonist(s)
main villain will create the problems/obstacles, corrupt, power
hungry____ L ove interest of hero beautiful, young,
damsel-in-distress_________________________ V ictims/ innocents
need helping/protecting, links to hero___________________________ S
idekick(s) will aid the hero, offer humour, team-work, maybe
expendable____________ M inions/ baddies will aid the main villain,
usually numerous, expendable_____________
EVENTS VOCAB F ights stunts, choreography, explosions, weaponry,
outnumbered, death______________ E scapes from dangerous
places/situations, trapped places________________________ C hases
close shaves, fast pace,
stunts__________________________________________ R escuing damsel,
difficulty, obstacles_________________________________________ D
omination The attempt of the villain for global/local/personal
control and domination
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MISE_EN_SCENE Often used to show conventions of the genre S
etting - city, deserted location, another planet,
Headquarters/secret lair ________________ C ostume/make-up -
distinctive, flamboyant, good and bad are different,
_______________ P rops weapons, vehicles, all active, being used,
mythical objects____________________ P erformance - busy,
energetic, stunts, fight choreography,__________________________ L
ighting High key, low key. To set mood/atmosphere, create
mystery________________ C olours Villains often wear dark colours,
heroes often reds & blues American flag___
CAMERA S hot size establishing shot of HQ, hero dominates with
CU, ECU, so audience identify with his feelings, LS, MS, ELS,
_______________________________________________ A ngle - dutch,
birds eye, opposites of high/low villain often dominates by looking
down M ovement - pan, tilt, zoom, crane, exciting and fast
movements for action scenes_______ D epth of field Rack focus/Focus
pulling some things out of focus, some in, changes during shot, to
change emphasis of
subject______________________________________
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SOUND M usic/soundtrack - emotive, powerful, tense, triumphant,
heroic orchestral, theme music D ialogue - active, tactics, hero
commands/orders/directs as does villain, oneliners________ S ound
fx/ silence loud, explosions,
hits_______________________________________ EDITING P ace quick
cuts and short shot duration for action scenes, long take/short
take_________ C ross-cutting - show opposing sides, different
angles on things, 2 locations/events at once S hot reverse shot
used for conversations, creates a relationship e.g. hero/villain,
hero/girl R eaction shots responding to largeness of event/place
i.e. explosions/villain approaching S pecial fx/ CGI - spectacular
sets/monsters, superpowers energy blasts, flight_________
ICONOGRAPHY Objects/Symbols/Images strongly
associated/recognisable with a genre
O bjects Kryptonite, Bat signal, Supermans phonebox,
___________________________ W eapons Thors Hammer, Iron Mans suit,
Captain Americas shield, Wolverines claws C ostumes Hides identity,
significant colours - red, white & blue (Superman/Spidey) L
ogos Supermans S, Batmans Bat, Spider-Mans Spider,
_______________________ V ehicles Police cars, Taxis, Batmobile,
X-Jet, Ghost Riders bike, ___________________ L ocations Hideouts,
HQs, Batcave, Daily Planet, Cities e.g.
Gotham/Metropolis/NYC___
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Q2. 10 Marks, 10 Minutes
This question will ask you to discuss a given macro area (Genre,
Narrative, Themes, Representations, Ideologies) of superhero
movies. (a) Identify where you see the given macro area in the
extract. (b) How it is a convention of superhero films. (c) How
this macro aspect is used in one other superhero film you have
seen.
Themes Representations Good vs Evil Gender Male = Hero/Female =
Damsel
Self -preservation vs self sacrifice Ethnicity Non-White =
Baddies/sidekicks Public responsibilities vs personal happiness
Sexuality Hero = Heterosexual male
Justice Nationality USA = Heroes Other = Villains/Alien
Revenge Age Hero = Young, friendly & Positive Villain = Old,
Bitter & Corrupt
Moral Dilemmas Relationships/Family
Secret Identity Guilt/Redemption
Terrorism/Discrimination
Heroes are rarely old, but youthful, attractive and
good-looking, whereas the villains are often older, uglier and
their experience has made them corrupt, wanting more control, and
power.
Heroes are usually classless and everyman figures, even when
nobility, so audience can still identify with them. Villains are of
a higher class sometimes, to again highlight their corruption and
power obsession.
Ideologies A system of values/beliefs
American Supremacy and leadership Responsible for saving the
day. Characters like Spider-Man often pictured with the American
flag or wearing costumes including the colours of the flag.
Fascism The fight against an oppressive fascist regime is often
found in the genre. E.g. Captain America fighting the Nazis. V in V
For Vendetta fighting the fascist regime Norsefire with their
corrupt police.
Communism - Found in X-Men: First Class which is set against the
backdrop of the Cold War.
The promotion of these ideologies are often achieved through the
use of propaganda within the film. i.e. political posters and
broadcasts in V for Vendetta
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Q3. 10 Marks, 10 Minutes
This question will ask you to discuss how Superhero films are
marketed and promoted. You will be provided with a resource in the
form you will be asked to comment on. It could be on any of the
areas of marketing we have discussed, i.e. merchandise, posters,
DVD covers, internet marketing.
You must reference the resource material provided and ones you
have encountered before (Some are provided at the back of this
revision pack). Remember to discuss how the different features are
used to attract their target audiences. Use a good level of media
terminology to ensure the highest marks are achieved. Ensure you
discuss how all the features you mention are conventions of the
genre.
Use P.E.E. when completing your answer. For every point you make
provide evidence by giving an example from the provided material or
your own knowledge, and then explain how it is effective in
targeting the audience.
Q4, 20 Marks, 20 Minutes
In this question you will be required to complete a series of
creative tasks that assess your knowledge of the film industry and
its relationship with audiences. You could be asked to create a
film poster, DVD cover, or other piece of merchandise for either an
existing film or imagined one.
You should annotate your work as much as possible to ensure that
you receive marks for all the features you add. Remember to use
film terminology.
__________________________________________________________________________
Points to think about when answering Q3 & Q4
Logos Think about how having the Marvel or DC logo in bold works
to attract established and new audiences on posters, DVD covers
& merchandise. _______________
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Main
Image How does a large image of the star superhero attract
established audiences and new ones? Think about how they are
presented and colours used, e.g. Iron Man/Spidey.
__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Review Lines Think about the type of language used for review
lines on posters & DVD covers for Superhero films. Spectacular
Amazing Fantastic Marvellous as opposed to Glorious A triumph
Riveting. How does the language used link to the type of film being
advertised and its audience? ____________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________From
the makers of How does saying from the makers of Batman or From the
Studio that brought you Iron Man help attract audiences?
_________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Actors Names How important is displaying the names of the stars in
selling superhero movies? Is the character, the superhero, more
important than who is playing them? If the actors are more
important, then why are their faces often covered with a
costume/mask on the posters/DVD covers? Does having the names at
the top allow the makers to prioritise the character in the main
image? Or is it only important to have names when they are big
stars?
__________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The use of Stars Think about how important having a star in a
superhero film is. Does it give the film a better reputation or
attraction than if it was just a superhero film with no stars? Does
it help attract a bigger audience than just comic book fans? What
kind of stars are generally attracted to superhero films? Would the
likes of Brad Pitt do this type of film? Does it require a fun type
of actor/actress to fit the genre? Why is that? _________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The use of colour How is colour used in the marketing of Superhero
films? Think about DVD covers/Posters/Clothing being the same
colour as the main character, e.g. The plastic case for the DVD of
the Hulk (2003) film was green. Iron Man t-shirts tend to be red to
resemble his costume. Also think again about how the use of Red,
White & Blue (American flag) is used in the marketing are these
seen as heroic colours? ____________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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Teaser Posters
Dark Knight Rises (2012) The Avengers (2012) Thor (2011)
Full Release Posters
Captain America (2011)
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DVD Covers
X-Men First Class (2011)
Batman Begins (2005)
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Watchmen (2009)
Spider-Man Trilogy Box Set (2002-2007)