2. Camera Angles/Shot and Movement
• 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 and Movement
• 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 and Movement
• 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 and Movement
• 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 – Lighting and 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 or signature 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 need to 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
• To demonstrate 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 do the 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
• Level 4 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.
