gcse wjec film studies paper 1 superhero superheroes exploring film language help guide revision

GCSE Film Studies

Paper 1: Exploring Film

(Superhero films)

Please note: There are many non-‐standard fonts used in this presenta2on. This means that a0er you have downloaded there is a very good chance that your version of the presenta:on looks a bit strange. If you change fonts to something more standard and of similar sizes will resolve this. All of the links to clips on here were working when originally published but as I do not have control over them they may be removed outside of my control. Finally, I have also produced a PDF revision guide that covers this PowerPoint but also includes many more ac:vi:es. As it’s a PDF it it’s formaEed perfectly for you to use and if you so wish, print. It will soon be available to buy as PDF from my Sellfy shop which is at hEps://sellfy.com/iandoublem There will be more detail on there, but it’s a 130+ page .PDF that covers as much as I can think of for Paper 1 of the Film Studies GCSE. It’s only £5 and once you buy a copy I will automa:cally email you whenever it’s updated and improved. Many thanks, and I hope this is of use!

Paper 1: Exploring

Film (Aka: SuperHeroes)

exam paper

explanation

Paper 1 is worth 50 marks •  You will have 1 hour and 30 minutes to get

these 50 marks. •  You will be answering questions on

Superhero films. •  You will watch a clip from a superhero film

and answer questions on it. •  You will analyse a poster or similar. •  You will create an idea for a new product.

It will be split into 4 questions:

•  Q1: Explain technical elements used in the clip. (10)

•  Q2: Explain how parts of the clip were from a Superhero film. (10)

•  Q3: Study the provided product and explain why it has been designed like it has. (10)

•  Q4: Create a new product. (20)

Questions 1 (10) and 2 (10): •  Will always be a response to a clip from a

superhero film. •  You don’t have to have seen that film to be

able to answer the questions on it.

•  You will be able to watch the clip 3 times (we’ll do some work later on how to and what to watch ).

•  You could be asked about ANY micro element used in the clip such as sound, camera angle or lighting.

Question 3 (10 marks)

•  This question will be a response to something in the exam such as a poster or DVD cover.

•  You will be asked to use your knowledge about film and the film industry and then use the ‘thing’ included to help give you an idea of what sort of things you could mention in your answer.


•  Your final question will be worth the most amount of marks.

•  You should spend the most amount of time on this section.

•  This section will ask you to create a new product, such as a poster, DVD box set, new film or front cover.

•  This will be related to superhero films.

Question 1:!(a) Identify something. ONE mark (b) Explain why it is used. TWO marks (c) How are two of the following used to create something. SEVEN

marks •  Sound •  Editing •  Mise-en-scene •  Camera angles •  Camera movement •  Special Effects •  Colour •  Lighting

On the exam paper there will be any 4 of these micro features. So make sure you are familiar with each of these 7 micro features.

Typical question 1 structure (10 marks)

Example Question 1: (a) Name one camera angle used in this extract.

ONE mark (b) Why is this camera angle used? TWO marks (c) How are two of the following used to create a

sense of danger for the main characters. SEVEN marks

•  Sound •  Mise-en-scene •  Camera angles •  Special Effects •  Lighting

Watch the clip and answer the

following questions based on what

you saw.

Example Question 1: (a) Name one camera angle used in this extract.

ONE mark (b) Why is this camera angle used? TWO marks (c) How are two of the following used to create a

sense of danger for the main characters. SEVEN marks

•  Sound •  Mise-en-scene •  Camera angles •  Special Effects •  Lighting

Question 1 and 2 practice:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpW4A_lqjk

The first time watching through, simply

watch the clip and either: +If you know the film, look specifically for

things that make it a SuperHero film. +If you don’t, pay attention to the

characters and quickly work out their role and character type.

Question 1 and 2 practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=iVpW4A_lqjk

The second time watching through and: +Make sure that you can explain what

character types are used and identify things (such as props or key themes/

narrative) that appear in other SuperHero films.

+Start to make mental notes about answers on what the question is asking.

Question 1 and 2 practice: https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=iVpW4A_lqjk

The third time watching through, watch the clip to see:

+ What the question is asking! + Is it asking about lighting? Props? Mise-

en-sce? Camera angles? + This is your last chance, so make sure

that you can actually remember the evidence you need.

Question 2: Question 2 will also be about the extract clip. It will ask for more detail about SuperHero

films in general, which is where your revision of the genre will come into use.

You will need to be familiar with the typical

features of other SuperHero films and ideally know 2 or 3 SuperHero films well enough to give them as examples.

Question 2:

2. (a) Identify one typical Super Hero convention used in this extract. (1)

(b) Describe one example of how this convention is used in another Super Hero movie. (3)

(c) Explain why this convention is used in other Super Hero movies you have studied. (6) [10]

Question 2:

2. (a) Identify one typical Superhero convention used in this extract. (1)

(b) Describe one example of how this convention is used in another Disaster Movie. (3)

(c) Explain why this convention is used in other Superhero Movies you have studied. (6) [10]

What does convention mean?

Question 2:

2. (a) Identify one typical Superhero convention used in this extract. (1)

(b) Describe one example of how this convention is used in another Super Hero film. (3)

(c) Explain why this convention is used in other Super Hero films you have studied. (6) [10]


•  This question will be a response to something in the exam such as a poster or DVD cover.

•  You will be asked to use your knowledge about film and the film industry and then use the ‘thing’ included to help give you an idea of what sort of things you could mention in your answer.

•  Try to avoid writing about the thing in front of you for your answer. Use it as a guide and help.

•  How do film companies create interest in their movies in advance of their release? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

Question 3 (10 marks) Example questions

•  How is merchandising used in the marketing of films? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

•  How do DVD covers encourage us to buy or rent a DVD? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)

•  How do film companies create interest in their movies in advance of their release? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)


Time for you to have a go at answering an example question:

Resource material

•  How is merchandising used in the marketing of films? You may refer to the resource material to help you. (10)


Time for you to have a go at answering an example question:

Resource material

Question 4 (20 marks) •  Your final question will be worth the most

amount of marks. •  You should spend the most amount of time on

this section. •  It will be split into 4 smaller sections-pay

attention to the possible score for each question.

•  This section will ask you to create a new product, such as a poster, DVD box set, new film or front cover for a DVD or Blu-Ray.

•  This will be related to Superhero films.

Useful revision reminders: •  Write down 5 key features of a one-sheet poster

•  Write down 5 key features of a teaser poster

•  What 5 key features would you expect to find on a DVD cover?

•  What 5 key things would be important on a

website designed to promote a film?

•  Think of 5 different ways that you could promote your film.

film

language

Learning outcomes: 1.  To recall the different camera angles

and shot sizes. 2.  To identify the camera angles and

shot sizes in screen shots and explain the reason for their use.

3.  To identify the camera angles and shot sizes in a sequence and explain the reason for their use.

Can you name the shot sizes and camera angles?

Try to do so without the help on the later slide.

To begin: Camera angles and shot sizes

XLS LS

MLS MS

MCU CU

BCU XCU

Extreme long shot Long shot Medium Long Shot Mid/Medium Shot Mid/Medium Close Up Close Up Big Close Up Extreme Close Up

Where does the camera go in these situations?

Low Eye Level High Worm’s Eye Bird’s Eye Canted

What would these angles or shot sizes be used to show the audience about the person or situation?

XLS MCU XCU

Worm’s Eye Bird’s Eye

Canted ?

What camera angles might be useful for these shot descriptions? WHY?

A woman is about to fall from a tall building.

A superhero is threatened by a HUGE monster

A superhero is flying over a city, looking down below at it.

Using the blank storyboard, draw a basic shot that shows this scene and write underneath the shot choice you’ve chosen.

What shot sizes/angles are being used in these screenshots here?

Why are these angles/shot sizes being used? What do they tell or suggest to us? How do they tell the audience to react or think?

Watch the clip carefully. Pay attention and look out for important shot sizes or angles at 3 different points.

For each screenshot, use the following to help explain your ideas: (Point) “In this clip we see a…(something shot size or angle)” (Evidence) “We see this shot when … and is used to show…” (Explanation) “This shot helps the audience to feel/understand … because…”

Learning outcomes: 1.  To identify the camera angles and

shot sizes in a sequence and explain the reason for their use.

2.  Identify a range of camera movements.

3.  Explore and explain how camera movement can effect an audience’s reaction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZJ7cq6T3v4

First of all, can you summarise what happens in that clip? In just one long sentence, explain what happens and to whom.

Next: can you identify at least 2 different shots that have been used? Make a note of when we see it, what it shows and roughly when it happens.

Finally, for 2 camera shots: (Point) “In this clip we see a…(something shot size or angle)” (Evidence) “We see this shot when … and is used to show…” (Explanation) “This shot helps the audience to feel/understand … because…”

Learning outcomes: 1.  Identify a range of camera

movements. 2.  Explore and explain how camera

movement can effect an audience’s reaction.

3.  Analyse a short sequence by examining how camera movement creates meaning

Find the 3 matching parts: + The shot size name. + The description + The matching picture

To begin: Camera angles and shot sizes

Label / draw / annotate the pictures of the cameras with the correct movements of the camera for the movement types listed.

To begin: Camera

movement

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2ZQKEJQXDo

Step 1: Write a description of what the camera does or where it moves to and from.

Step 2: Discuss the ideas of why these movements might be useful or what they are trying to show/suggest.

Step 3: Write your ideas in the boxes.


Watch carefully for the camera movement at the

end of the clip

Step 1: Write a description of what the camera does or where it moves to and from.

Step 2: Discuss the ideas of why these movements might be useful or what they are trying to show/suggest.

Step 3: Write your ideas in the boxes.


Watch carefully for camera movements

First of all, did you spot any camera movement in the scene? Discuss with partner and prepare to feedback.

Next: can you identify at least 2 different camera movements that have been used? Make a note of when we see it, what it shows and roughly when it happens.

Finally, for 2 camera movements: (Point) “In this clip we see a…(something shot size or angle)” (Evidence) “We see this movement when … and is used to show…” (Explanation) “This movement helps the audience to feel/understand … because…”

End of basic camera movement/shot size 2014

•  Further detailed help:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRJ0Ei4hLWI

•  Starts at 1:03

•  Clip to analyse in more detail: •  https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=Y8zMOvKPI3Y

Learning outcomes: 1. Examine how an image creates meaning for the audience. 2. Explore and explain how settings and props can effect an audience’s reaction. 3. Explore how costume, hair and make-up can effect an audience’s reaction.

Screenshot bingo. Write down 4 words in the boxes. These should be words that we learn about this character because of their costume, make-up, the setting or the props used.

To begin:

The winner is the person who gets a full house first!

To begin:

Bingo card

Before we begin, what shot size, distance or angle is this? Why has it been chosen?

Shot size/distance?

What does mise-en-scene mean?

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene What do we mean by setting? What are props? Why are clothes, hair and make-up important? Do boys wear make up in films?

Mise-en-scene Setting: Place (name of city or general description) and time (either specific, or described in general)

Mise-en-scene Props: Theatrical property=props. The ‘stuff’ that makes the scene look like it belongs to that place and time. Objects used by characters.

Mise-en-scene Costume, hair and make-up. Costume and hair are important as they reflect a character’s personality. This is tied in with representation; what do we learn about them and who do they represent without telling us directly?

Mise-en-scene Make-up Not just mascara and foundation etc. This could be something used on a character, but often make-up is anything used on the actor to make the character look different in some way.

Mise-en-scene Analysis What do we learn about this character and this film from the setting and the props?

Setting and props

Image

Mise-en-scene Analysis What do we learn about this character and this film from their costume, hair and make-up?

Costume, hair & make-up

Image

Finally, for the screen shot you’ve been given: (Point) “In the shot we see…” (describe the shot) (Evidence) “The setting/props/makeup/hair/costume shows…” (Explanation) “This things suggest to us that this person is…”

Mise-en-scene

All of this creates representation. How we view someone and how they represent the person or type of people that they are.

Settings, props, costume, hair and makeup, body language,

figure expression

As seen brilliantly in this clip from Mean Girls.

Learning outcomes: 1. Examine how an image creates meaning for the audience. 2. Explore and explain how settings and props can effect an audience’s reaction. 3. Explore how costume, hair and make-up can effect an audience’s reaction.

Screenshot bingo. Write down 6 words in the boxes. These should be words that we learn about this character because of their costume, make-up, the setting or the props used.

To begin:

The winner is the person who gets a full house first!

To begin:

Before we begin, what shot size, distance or angle is this? Why has it been chosen?

Shot size/distance?

What does mise-en-scene mean?

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene What do we mean by facial expression? Body language? What is important about light and colour? Why are the positions of characters or objects important?

Mise-en-scene

Facial expression: The look on someone’s face.

Mise-en-scene

Body language: How someone is standing or sitting, where they are looking or generally behaving.

Mise-en-scene Lighting: Light or dark? Good or bad? Spotlight or filler light? Bright or gloomy? High key or low key lighting?

Lighting: You can move lights to create different effects. Where do you think the key light would be placed in these situations: •  Under lighting •  Top lighting •  Back lighting

Lighting:

ACTOR

FILLER LIGHT KEY LIGHT

BACK LIGHT

CAMERA

•  The Key Light is usually the brightest light. It is used to light up the entire scene.

•  The Back Light is designed to help stop the Key Light being too ‘fake’ looking and help cut out the obvious brightness of the Key Light.

•  The Filler Light helps to soften the shadows that are created from the other two lights. There are often more than 1 filler lights used.

Lighting: Analysis What atmosphere is being created here? How are we supposed to feel? What is the lighting suggesting here? (Think dark vs. light = Good vs. Bad) How is the lighting different? Why is the lighting different? How would YOU create those lighting effects?

Low-key (or hard) lighting

High key (or soft) lighting

High key or low key lighting?

Mise-en-scene Colour: What colours stand out in the scene? Is this important or significant in any way? What might the colour represent? Is the colour natural or added ‘in post’?

•  When film was first invented the use of colour film was not an option as it hadn’t been created. •  Eventually the use of colour film was

an option but originally was very expensive. •  Directors instead found ways to use

light to make black and white films look visually interesting and to create ideas such as the way light was used in Film Noir films.

What is the light suggesting here?

• When colour was first used in film it was also used for effect such as this clip from the Wizard of Oz.

• Watch this clip and think about why this has been done by the director? If the audience is used to black and white, why have they used colour in this way?

•  It doesn’t have to be for just one thing on the screen however.

•  Using computers, every scene can have the colour change to suit the mood of the scene.

•  In these two shoots from Gladiator, the colour has been graded.

•  Why is one shot more ‘yellow’ and one more ‘blue?

•  What mood or atmosphere is the director trying to get across?

Colour grading

Colour grading for genres •  Modern Horror Films use blue a lot to create a certain look for their

films

Saw The Ring

Nightmare on Elm Street

End of the world /

Apocalypse films.

Why are these colours so ‘washed out’? (Very dull colours of grey and

yellow.)

Batman Begins

Is Batman Begins a light or dark movie? How can we tell?

What colours are used a lot? What

might they be suggesting?

Batman Begins

Mise-en-scene Analysis What do we learn about this situation and the characters from their facial expression and body language?

Body language & facial expression

Mise-en-scene Analysis What do we learn about this situation and the characters from their facial expression and body language?

Body language & facial expression

Finally, for the clip we’ve just seen: (Point) “In the shot we see…” (describe the shot) (Evidence) “The facial expression/body language shows…” (Explanation) “This things suggests to us …”

Mise-en-scene Positions of people or objects: What or who is most important in this scene? How can we tell? Why are somethings in the middle of the screen? Why is there a ‘space’ in the back of the screen?

Mise-en-scene Positions of people or objects: What or who is most important in this scene? How can we tell?

Mise-en-scene Positions of people or objects:

Mise-en-scene Positions of people or objects: What or who is most important in this scene? How can we tell?

Mise-en-scene Positions of people or objects:

Mise-en-scene Positions of people or objects: How does this use of mise-en-scene compare with the earlier scene? How does the position of Kevin reflect the story?

Mise-en-scene

Positions of people or objects:

Learning outcomes: 1.  Explore a screenshot to identify

key aspects of character 2.  Analyse a short sequence in

groups 3.  Revise key ideas about

merchandise

Analysis Each group has a different element of film language to analyse. Make notes about what you see/hear and how you think it makes the audience react.

Video clips for revision Watchmen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PA0SarFs60w Superman Returns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2gQo-0VW5c Iron Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3o2ACEr9NmQ

Group 1: Camera Angles Group 2: Camera Movement Group 3: Sound Group 4: Mise-en-scene; Costume, Hair, Make-up and Facial Expression & Body Language Group 5: Mise-en-scene; Settings & Props, Lighting & Colour, Positions of Characters & Objects

film marketing

and

promotion

How are films advertised?

Useful revision reminders: •  Write down 5 key features of a one-sheet poster

•  Write down 5 key features of a teaser poster

•  What 5 key features would you expect to find on a DVD cover?

•  What 5 key things would be important on a website designed to promote a film?

•  Think of 5 different ways that you could promote your film.

Write down 5 key features of a one-sheet poster

Write down 5 key features of a teaser poster

What 5 key features would you find on a DVD cover?

What 5 key things would be important on a website designed to promote a film?

Think of 5 different ways that you could promote your film

gcse wjec film studies paper 1 superhero superheroes exploring film language help guide revision

Education

new film

film superhero films

film aka

film industry

marks example question

marks sound

marks c

gcse film studies paper