Batman Begins- Codes and Conventions

This whole movie essentially is a convention is itself as most superhero films have a movie about the hero's origin or a section of the movie is about how they became who they are. Title suggests that it is an origin story as it says "begins".

 

This picture shows that this superhero movie is going to have a darker tone. (SPOILER ALERT) Bruce Wayne's parents are shot in an attempted mugging leaving the boy troubled and mentally scarred by what he witnessed at such a young age.

Most superhero movies and shows are set in city (the cityscape). This one is set in Gotham except for the start. The city is key to the movie's story as Batman's whole aim is to save Gotham the "Bad guys".

Typical to most superhero movies, their a suit/costumer that the hero wears to either better his/her chances in combat or to symbolise who they are and what they stand for. In Batman's case he wears it for both and as he was a boy the bat scared him so it wears it to embrace his fears and get over.

Spiderman (2002) - Superhero Conventions

Spiderman (2002)

 

Superhero Conventions

This movie contains many conventions that are featured throughout the superhero genre. Some of these features are a love interest, alter ego for both the hero and villain, the city setting and fight scenes.

 

Love Interest

The love interest in this movie for the hero is Mary-Jane Watson. This girl is a friend of Peter and is dating Peter Parker's (Spiderman) best friend. Shortly after they split up and she starts dating peter. The love interest fits the typical superhero girlfriend by this I mean she is always in trouble and gets saved by the hero. A weak spot for the hero.

 

Alter Ego's

Hero: The hero is Spiderman but his alter ego is Peter Parker. Peter Parker is a typical average schoolboy who is considered lame and doesn't have many friends. He was bitten by a spider in a spider testing facility and has the ability to shoot webs which he uses in combat and to swing from as a form of movement, super strength and enhanced agility. 

Villain: The villain is Green Goblin but his alter ego is Norman Osborn. Osborn is a scientist who has a company which makes things like a hover board with he use later on. He is testing out a gas that can make people stronger and faster. Which he uses on himself and becomes the Green Goblin. He has super strength, agility and uses a hover board and explosives when in combat.

 

The City 

The city landscape is typical is superhero films, marvel films are mostly set in New York City.

 

Fight Scenes

The fight scenes are typical superhero fight scenes, where the villain appears to be winning, the villain appears to have upper hand until the hero makes a recovery and wins the fight. In this fight shown above the villain tries to blow some people up but is stopped by Spiderman.

       

 

                           

Marvel and DC

Marvel and DC

Marvel Comics
Founded in 1939 as Timely Comics and was later changed to Marvel
Characters: Marvel have hundreds of characters throughout their time creating comics. Some memorable characters of their franchise are Spiderman, Daredevil, The Fantastic Four, Iron man and the Hulk.
Interesting Stuff
1. Marvel characters usually have relatively ordinary backgrounds. For example, Spiderman is a normal teenage boy then he was bit by a spider and had superpowers.  Usually normal lives before they got SUPER.
2. Marvel characters are usually a part of a team, Fantastic Four, The Avengers, X-men.
3. Marvel tend to use real life locations, mostly New York City.

DC Comics
Founded in late 1934 or early 1935
Characters: like Marvel, DC comics have also have had hundreds of characters so of these include The Flash, Batman, Superman, Wonder woman, Green Lantern and The Joker (my favourite)
Interesting Stuff
1. Usually born SUPER, for example Superman was born on another planet with superpowers.
2. DC characters usually have more epic superpowers. for example, Superman has Laser eyes, Super Speed, Super Strength, he can fly and more.
3. DC characters usually take place in fictional cities like Gotham and Metropolis.

Similarities
1. If one franchise has one character, the other probably has one similar but with a different name. For DC's Batman, Marvel have The Moon Knight.
2. Nearly all of their characters have superpowers.
3. Both have parent companies, DC have Warner Brothers and Disney bought Marvel in 2009.

That's all I can think of

Star Wars Diegetic & Non Diegetic Sounds

Diegetic: Sound which you can see where to sound is being emitted from, the source of the sound is within frame or you know where it is coming from because it showed you.

Non-Diegetic: Sound which you can not see where is coming from, it could be theme music or a narrator. Sound that the characters can not hear.



Beginning- This music that is being played is non-diegetic because the characters can not hear it. Its purpose is to add suspense to the trailer and to make the trailer more detailed and more captivating to watch. The ding in trailer was to shock the viewers for when the character (shown above) appeared it would excite the viewers for what's to come. This music continues through most of the trailer but the "dings" from the start of the trailer evolve into a series of sounds not just the "dings".

Introducing the character- This dialogue is non-diegetic although it is character speaking they are not saying the words in the frame and the viewer does not know for sure whether it is him talking or someone else entirely. The purpose of the dialogue is to introduce the character and add some detail to the plot, to paint a picture about what the film is going to be about. He says "I was raised to do one thing." which makes the viewers intrigued and want to know what he's talking about. This hooks the viewer and makes them want to watch the film. 

The Aerial Fight- The noise of the blasters in the frame is diegetic because we can see clearly where the source of the sound is. This sounds is keeping to film to its roots, implementing the same sound as what were used in the first 6 films. This gives viewers memories of the first films therefore making them want tot watch the new one. The sound is matched with a visual location of where the sound is coming making the sound diegetic instead of being non-diegetic.  

Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World - Mise En Scene

 

Scott Pilgrim- His costume portrays that it is meant to look cold and that he is wearing a coat to warm up. His hair shows that he isn't bothered about what people think of him as he has not styled it. His facial expression clearly shows that he is really happy to be with this girl right at this moment and that he is clearly in love with this girl. His expressions also suggest that he is nervous. The lighting is bright to symbolise how he feels (bright and happy). 

Wallace Wells - This guys appearance shows that he tries to make an effort with his polo shirt and combed hair. His facial expression looks like he is trying to make a point and his body language also portrays this by the way he is looking down towards the other character.

Ramona Flowers - You can tell by the character's hairstyle that she probably has a unique personality and doesn't really care what people think about her. Her body language suggests that she is in a rush and her face suggests that she is a bit weirded out and really wants to be out of this situation. The props (package and goggles) also represent that she is dropping off a package and the goggles suggest that she is quickly on the move and that she is dropping a package off. The lighting around her also suggest that she is metaphorically "brightening up his life".

Annabelle Trailer - Camera Shots Part 2

Annabelle Trailer- Camera Shots Part 2



3. Mid Shot - This mid shot is slightly blurred because the action was taking place at a fairly high pace. It shows the possessed girl running toward the person. Once again lighting is used to add the scare effect. 

4. Long Shot - This is a long shot that shows a woman sleeping on the couch but this shot is mainly focusing on the possessed girl towards the left of the frame. The lighting was used again to show darkness which adds a scary tone again and the girl is the background has her hair over her face to add another element of scare.

5. Extreme Close Up - This is an extreme close up that shows Annabelle's face to show the detail and the psychotic imagery of the doll itself. Once again the outer edges of the frame are covered in darkness to add suspense.

Trailer - Camera Shots Part 1

Annabelle Trailer - Camera Shots

 

1. This is an extreme long shot that shows two house next to
each other. This darkness around the house indicates a sinister, scary feeling toward the viewer.

2. Extreme Close Up - This is an extreme close up that shows
Annabelle. It is an extreme close up to focus on the blood
drop underneath Annabelle's eye.





Propp's Character Types

THE MATRIX

Hero - Neo - Neo is the main character who is noticed by the other characters that he is the "one" who can set everyone free from the matrix.

Villain - Agent Smith - Smith is the bad guy, the one who wants to stop Neo and keep the Matrix.

False Hero - Cypher - Cypher starts off as a good guy with the good guys but he betrays them and is found out to be helping Smith.

Helper - Trinity - Trinity is the girl who is helping Neo with his mission and is also Neo's love interest.

Donor - Tank - Tank is the guy who programs Neo and without Tank, Neo couldn't be as powerful as he is now.

Princess - Morpheus - Morpheus is the guy who Smith has captured and Neo is fighting to get back. Morpheus isn't only just the princess he is also a helper who is also trying to help Neo on his mission.

Todorov's Theory

Back to the Future

Outline
A boy and his old inventor friend go thirty years into the past, using their time travelling DeLorean.

Equilibrium
Marty Mcfly is living a normal life in 1985 but has an old friend who is an inventor.

Disruption
Marty is attempting to flee labanese terrorists in the DeLorean but when he hits 88 MPH, he begins to time travel back to 1955. In 1955 he accidentally ruins his mum and dads relationship and the DeLorean ran out of fuel.

Recognition
Marty realises that he can't go back to 1985 until he fixes his parents relationship and he can power the DeLorean.

Repair
Marty powers the DeLorean using a bolt of lightning and a metal rod. He sets up a situation where his dad saves his mum and she falls in love with him. Marty then returns to 1985.

New Equilibrium
Marty and his family live in a nicer house with more money due to his dad's book writing skills and his increased confidence.

My Media Diet