1. Target Level: GreenAssignment 5:Film Study & Conventions In A FilmBy: Chelsea and Abigail

2. Target Level: GreenBy choosing the green target we can achieve a grade C-B to accomplish this we will have to complete all categories in the yellow section and possibly the extension.The green target includes discussing: Genre Sub genre Hybrid Stams theory Mittels theory Fuerers theory Semantics Syntax Iconography & Tone At least 8 conventions and the analysis and each convention Dominant Ideology Audience Audience Theory 3. Genre exploration 4. Film of choice and reasoningWe chose The Dark Knight because: It is a good representation of the thriller genre. We are both familiar with the film We both felt we could talk a lot about this movie as it contains manyconventions of the main genre and sub genres. 5. GenreThe Dark Knight falls under the genre of Thriller.As a thriller movie, it is aimed to thrill and excite the audience by putting them on the edge oftheir seats with fast paced action and hard core blasts of energy.Bat symbol inflames on thecrumbling building signalsthe destruction of Dark colours, connotes society.secrets, metaphorical darkness and trouble. 6. SubgenreSub genres including in the Dark Knight:Mask and capes isseen as the costumefor superheroes Superhero; the main character is the superhero of the filmJoker breaks out ofjail and stealspolice car Crime; film revolves around the actions of the criminal mastermind Joker is the reason behind most havoc in film for e.g. blowing up the hospitalAction; film includes typical action genre conventions such as explosions, fight scenesand car chasesFight scene Car explosionbetween batman with the filmand joker and hishenchmen 7. HybridsThe Dark Knight contains a range of hybrid genres, including: Superhero Drama Action-Superhero Superhero Thriller you either die a hero, or Crime superhero dramayou live long enough to see yourself become a Batman swooping villain Fantasydown over the city of Honk Kong Action Thriller 8. Stam Theory Stams theory is that genre cannot be easily defined under the maingenres but under other ways. The Dark Knight can be classified other waysthan under its main genre. For example its a high budget film, its aChristian Bale film and the plot of the film is borrowed from the comicseries of Batman.Source:WikipediaChristian Bale 9. Stam Theory: Added notes Stams theory says that genre is not so easily defined under the main genres but can be classified in other ways such as budget, Ethnicity focus or Performer based. Some audiences may be more attracted to a certain directors perception of a character and how they should be portrayed through film.Christopher Nolan hasdirected the Dark Knighttrilogy from 2005-2012. Hisstyle has an emphasis on Tim burtonurban settings, men in suitsdirected the 1989and generally muted coloursBatman movie.(wikipedia) His style istypically quitedark, quirky andgothic. 10. Stam Theory: Added Notes The Batman character first appeared in a 1939 issue of the Detective Comics.The Batmanfranchise started inBatman was later madethe 1940s with the into several moviesrelease of theincluding the latest TheBatman comics.Dark Knight Rises. Batman was later made into a serial starring Lewis Wilson and Douglas Croft and a TV show in the 60s starring Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin. 11. Stam Theory: continued The film contains an all-star cast of big Hollywood actors.Christian Bale, who hasstarred as Batmanthroughout the trilogy(Batman Begins, TheHeath LedgerDark Knight and The(who died six Dark Knight Risesmonths beforethe movie wasMichaelreleased) as Caine asThe JokerAlfred the butler Morgan Freeman as Lucius Fox 12. Mittel TheoryMittels theory is that genre is used to sell products.It is easy to relate this theory to the film because we live in a society where superheroes are seen nearlyeveryday maybe not in everyday life, but the products are all around us.The Dark KnightThe Dark Knightsells products asespecially led to thethe main creation of manycharacterproducts includingbatman is aimedchildrensat the superhero toys, actionfanatic. figures, clothing and of course DVDs/Blu-Recent superhero rays etc. of the filmcraze with moviessuch as The DarkKnight Rises, TheAmazing Spidermanand The Avengersgaining millions in thebox office, thusaccenting the returnof superheroes. 13. Fuerer TheoryFuerers theory that genre is abstract and isnt easily defined as everyone has different ideas, life experience etc therefore they interpret codes and conventions differently Fuerers theory can relate to The Dark Knight as some people may recognize the thriller elements within the film and agree that The Dark Knight is a thriller whereas other people within the audience such as children may see these elements as part of the horror genre as they have little knowledge of the different types of genres and they may find some of the characters within the film intimidating and gruesome so this is why they might class The Dark Knight under the horror category. Younger viewers may find characters like Two face horrific and gruesome 14. Added notesFuerers theory is that genre is abstract, meaning that it is not easily defined because everyonehas different ideas, ideals, life experience, culture etc and therefore interpret codes andconventions differently. (what is recognisable and familiar to one, may not be recognisable orfamiliar to someone else in the same way). This theory can be related toThe Dark Knight becausewhere some people might seeit as another superherofilm, others might interpret itas being a crime drama, action-thriller, a comic bookadaptation or even a thrillerfantasy film. Some peoplemight even define it as a lightpsychological-action-drama-romantic-thriller. 15. SemanticsSemanticsEvidence in film?Characters Hero (Batman), Villain (Joker), chief police officer (Lt. Gordon), Girlfriend/ love interest of hero (Rachel)LocationsSet in Gotham City a city riddled with crime and a constant battle between good and evil. Streets of Gotham A hospital (which is later blown up) Warehouses, police stations, holding roomsStory Traits Death of a loved one, Revenge, Good vs Evil, Escalation of violenceCostumes Capes, Suits, Police outfits, MasksPropsGuns, Knives, MasksRitual Death or imprisonment of the villain, Main character loses someone close to them, 16. SyntaxOverallmessage/purpose offilmWhen society has noleaders they becomeunethical anduncivilizedBatman gives Lucius access to everyone is Passengers on both boats consider whether orGothams mobile which not they should save themselves and blow upTheres corruptionthe other ship or allow the other passengers towithin government do the same to themJoker disgusted himself as apolice officer as no one realizedGood always wins overevilIn the last scene batmancaptures the Joker 17. IconographyIconographyCostumeMasks Capes police uniforms Suits facial disguisesSettingBig cities, i.e.. New York, San Francisco, London etc. The Dark Knight is set in the fictional city of GothamStagingPrison cells Tall buildings Chaotic streets RooftopsStar/Celebrity Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine (all: the Dark Knight) Others known for their roles in thrillers are: George Clooney, Liam Neeson and Robert DeNiro 18. Tone Only source of lightingThe lack of lighting in this scene createssuspense and anticipation as the audience isunable see the full setting of the scene. Onlythe face of the characters is visible in thisscene so that the audience can focus on thefacial expressions of the characters.This escalating sound effect adds tension to the scenebecause as the tone gets more intense the audience learnsmore information about where the victims are. 19. Tone: extrasShallow focus:emphasis on themasked criminalin the fore groundClose up shot ofmask indicates it willplay an importantpart in this sceneEstablishing shot:shows us wherethe first scene inthe movie is totake place. 20. Convention listConventions of ThrillerExamples from range ofUsed, developed or challenged? real films1. Villain driven plot X-Men First Class, Kill Used- the Joker initiates the chaos that occurs Billthroughout the film as a result of his actions.2. Revenge Salt, Memento, Taken 2Developed- the character out for revenge starts as an innocent character who is dragged into the fight between justice and evil. He is out avenge the death of his fianc but dies at the end.3. KidnappingTaken Used- The joker kidnaps and keeps innocent people hostage.4. Deaths of innocent people Used5. ExplosionsUsed5. Involves a quest or mission Memento, Abduction, Used - Batman is the only one that can stop the Jokerthat only the main character The Girl With A Dragonfrom terrorising Gotham as the Joker will not stop untilcan solve/reveal the truth Tattoo, Kill Bill, Salt the Batman reveals his true identity6. The main character worksAbduction, Salt, The Girl Used - Batman works with the police and government towith a particular institutionWith The Dragon stop the mob gangsters and the Jokere.g. Police, army, governmentTattoo, I Robot, Casino Royale7.Includes the lost/death of a Memento, Abduction, Used-Batman loses his childhood friend dies in anloved oneTaken explosion8. The hero is often anDark Knight, BlackUsed- Bruce is misunderstood by the public and lives aoutsider or secretiveSwan, I Robot secretive life as Batman and when he does show his true 21. Conventions analysisConventions of Examples from filmComparison toIs it used, developedThriller other filmsor challenged?1. Villain driven plot The joker is theSilence of the Used the Joker is cause of the wholeLambsalmost seen as the main plot character in the film as Killing innocent he is a very prominent people and causing character throughout havoc within the citythe film. He is the main cause of the events that take place during the movie 22. Conventions analysisConventions of Examples from filmComparison to Is it used,Thriller other films developed or challenged?2. Revenge Harvey Dent is outThe PunisherUsed he kills those to get revenge on he feels are to blame. all those who helped cause the death of his fianc 23. Conventions analysisConventions of Examples from Comparison to Is it used,Thriller films other films developed or challenged?3. Kidnapping Many people are Taken Used the joker has kidnapped criminals and throughout theinnocent citizens filmkidnapped and put into separate boats another of his evil plans 24. Conventions ofExamples fromComparison toIs it used,genre/sub/hybridyour film (bulletother films in the developed orpoints and screensame challenged?grab)genre/sub/hybrid4. Deaths of innocent He is also the The KingdomUsedpeoplecause of BruceWaynes childhoodfriends death. The Joker kills aninnocent victimeveryday untilBatman agrees toshow is trueidentity. 25. Conventions of Examples from Comparison toIs it used, genre/sub/hybrid your film (bullet other films in the developed orpoints and screen same challenged?grab) genre/sub/hybrid Explosions The villain, theSuckerpunchUsedJoker, blows up ahospital Warehouses arealso blown upBruceWayneschildhoodfriend iskilled inanexplosion 26. Conventions analysisConvention ofExamples from Comparison toIs it used,Thriller filmother filmsdeveloped orchallenged?Involves a quest orOnly the Batman is Abduction OnlyUsedmission and only the able to defeat theNathan (mainmain character is able Joker as the Jokercharacter) is ableto solve/reveal thewont give up until solve the truth abouttruththe Batman gives in his life after he finds his baby picture in the missing people section 27. Conventions analysisConvention ofExamples from Comparison toIs it used,Thriller filmother filmsdeveloped orchallenged?The main character Batman works withI Robot- Detective Usedworks with a particularthe police to try and Spooner (the maininstitution e.g. Police, get rid of the mobcharacter) is aarmy, government gangsters and the detective and works Joker along with a scientist to shut down what has caused the robots to turn evil 28. Conventions analysisConvention of Examples from film Comparison toIs it used,Thriller other filmsdeveloped orchallenged?The hero is often anBruce lives a secretive Superman Usedoutsider or secretive life as Batman and keeps his identitywhen he does show hisa secret from thetrue identity as Bruce,he is an outsider public.He is easilymisunderstood by thegeneral public due tohis dark and mysteriouspersonality. 29. Conventions analysisConvention of Examples from filmComparison to Is it used, developedThrillerother films or challenged?7.The mainBatmans childhood Spiderman Usedcharacter suffers friend dies in an explosionthe lost/death of aloved one 30. Dominant IdeologyDominant Ideology Evidence from film Why this dominant ideology is present?Masculinity/Dominance of male The main character is a heroic maleThis dominant ideology is present to reinforce thecharacters idea that men are suppose to strong and heroic and to create a role model for the younger male viewersJustice prevails allthe bad guy always dies/is defeated at the end It is present to reinforce the idea that in the battle between good and evil, good always triumphsHarvey DentdiesThe main character (typically Bruce Wayne fights crime as Batman in theTo allow the audience to feel hope in the fact thatmale) lacks the fear of death name of justice, not caring about thethe hero will do whatever it takes to makeconsequences on his life.everything right for the innocent people. 31. Audience This film is for a mass audience as Dark Knight is a blockbuster and is based on the comic book charactersBatman and The Joker and many people may be familiar with these characters.Details of Target audienceSecondary Why would they be attracted to the film?audienceAudienceAge15-2021+ Because the older generation may be familiar withthe Batman and joker Characters from theirchildhood daysGender PredominantlyFemales The stereotype is that action movies are for males male and most people tend to follow this idea.EthnicityWestern cultures Eastern AsiansIt is stereotypical of the western culture actionmovie, many people would be familiar with theconventions so would go to watch it almostknowing what to expect.Social Middle Class Upper Class Upper class may be attracted to the film as theyClass may be familiar with the directorSocial comic/superhero Collectors andComic/superhero geeks would be attracted to theGroupgeeks fans of the actorsfilm because it relates to their hobbies andinterestsSexual All- The film is targeted at a world wide audienceOrientation therefore there is no specific sexual orientationProfession/Students Carers, Teachers, They may hear this film being the main topic ofroleParents conversation between their students and children 32. The Trailer The trailer attracts the target audience as it shows all the elements of an action andthriller film without giving away the full plot of the film. The trailer will attract the target audience of teenager males as the trailers includesmany elements of the action genre. This will get the attention of the young maleaudience as they are fascinated by explosions, car chases and violence http://youtu.be/yQ5U8suTUw0 (link to trailer) Gun to connote violenceExplosion scenes are used toattract the youngmale audience 33. Audience TheoryReasons why people Explanationwatch the film?EntertainmentPeople will watch The Dark Knight to be thrilled, as well as entertained Some people take pleasure in watching movies full of suspense, bringing out their inner detective and transporting them into new worlds To escape everyday lifeInformationPeople may watch The Dark Knight through general curiosity as it may be the main topic everywhere and is being advertised everywherePersonal IdentityPeople will watch The Dark Knight to give themselves a heroic character to idolize and to find a model of behaviour. Identifying ones self as part of popular western cultureIntegration andPeople will watch The Dark Knight to find a basis for conversation and to able tosocial interaction socialise with friends and family when discussing this film. Buying into the mainstream culture of super heroism 34. By Abigail and Chelsea