Superhero Films Flashcards
ECU - Extreme Closeup
The extreme close up is used to reveal very small details in the scene. It might be used in a mystery to show some small clue or a detail the detective picks up on
CU - Close Up
Used to reveal detail
Head and Shoulders
Used in news broadcasts
Reveals enough detail to see the subject’s lips move and the expression on their face
Bust Shot
From above the knees to above the head
Used the subject of the shot is doing something that requires the audience to see some detail
MS - Medium Shot
Used of the person is animated with their hand movements
MLS - Medium Long Shot
Used to show expression on the persons face, while getting more information from what is going on around the person
LS - Long Shot
Used on someone walking of moving
ELS - Extra Long Shot
Gives the viewer perspective as to where the subject is. Important if the subject is moving to new locations or times. Lets the viewer know where the film is taking place
2 shot
Used when two people are having an important interaction
Good way to introduce conversation
OS - Over Shoulder
Simulates a view of the subject as seen from the second person’s eyes
What are the elements to camera work
Framing of a shot
Movement of the camera
Framing of a shot
What is included in the cinematic space, what we see on screen
Pan
The camera surveys a screen by turning around its vertical or horizontal axis
Tilt
The camera moves up or down from a fixed axis
Teaching shot/ pulling shot
The camera follows (tracks) or precedes (pulls) an object that’s in motion itself
Zoom
The camera moves in on or away from an object by smoothly extending or shortening it’s focal length
Crane shot
The camera is mounted one a crane and moves up or down at ground level
What is editing
How film editors connect scenes
What are the most common transitions
A straight cut A fade out A dissolve A wipe cut A jump cut
What do transitions affect
The pace and mood of the scene and how the sense of the film is communicated to the audience
What idea does mise en scène reinforce
The idea that films are constructed - nothing appears by chance in the filmic frame. Everything is placed carefully so that the audience enters and understands the filmic world
Through which areas do we understand mise en scène
Setting & props Costume, hair & make-up Facial expression & body language Lighting and colour Position of characters and objects within a frame
What are settings
Where a film takes place
What can settings help us understand
When and where the film is set
What does setting need to be linked to
The correct costumes and props. All of these combined will help create a filmic world to represent a time in the past that the viewer understands
What are the types of sound
Diegetic
Non-diegetic
Diegetic sound
Refers to sound which exist ‘within the world of the film’
Such as, dialogue and all the wider noises made by objects, processes snd forces in the world around us (sound effects)
Non-diegetic
Refers to sounds which no character or spectator ‘inside’ the film can hear. Have been added to give information or create a reaction from the audience.
Such as, music overlaying action - prompts our expectations and emotions, voice-over or hear certain sound effects even though there is nothing causing them in the action
Setting conventions of superhero films
Often in an American city Factories Secret Headquarters High crime rates Alleyways
Theme conventions of superhero films
Something personal to the superhero (secret)
Something that threatens everyone in public (public)
Importance of family
‘With great power comes great responsibility’
Character conventions of superhero films
Must be heroic
Usually a quiet person in real life
Someone in distress
The hero is emulated
Good guy turned bad (usually a medical experiment)
Hero wants to fight for truth and justice
A woman who may lead the hero off track
A strong, determined woman who falls in love with the hero
Prop conventions of a superhero film
Specialised suit (Batman, Spiderman, X-Men) Special weapons ( spider web) Special transport (Batmobile)
Narrative and plot conventions in superhero films
Always Good vs. Evil
Often a franchise (Batman - Dark Knight)
The hero is overcoming a personal challenge
High concept
High concept
Simple plot but huge special effects and huge special effects and production
