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

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______________________________________

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___

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
Good vs Evil
Self -preservation vs self sacrifice
Public responsibilities vs personal happiness
Justice
Revenge

Representations
Gender Male = Hero/Female = Damsel
Ethnicity Non-White = Baddies/sidekicks
Sexuality Hero = Heterosexual male
Nationality USA = Heroes
Other = Villains/Alien
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

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. _______________
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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? ____________________________________
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From the makers of How does saying from the makers of Batman or From the
Studio that brought you Iron Man help attract audiences? _________________________
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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?
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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? _________________
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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)

Full Release Posters

Captain America (2011)

Thor (2011)

DVD Covers
X-Men First Class (2011)

Batman Begins (2005)

Watchmen (2009)

Spider-Man Trilogy Box Set (2002-2007)