Codes and Conventions

1. Codes and Conventions GCSE Film Superheroes

2. Intro • Two minutes to write down 5 things each that we decided make a superhero film

3. What are C&C? • The detailed rules of the genre (type of film). The Micro and Macro aspects we come to expect • C&C make it easier to understand the film and easier to make it

4. What make up the C&C? • Setting • Themes • Characters • Props • Narrative & Plot • Style

5. Setting • Often American city • Place where crime happens • Big locations where things can go wrong! • Secret base or HQ

6. Themes • Public – things that affect everyone • Private – things that affect the main characters only

7. Characters • Must be heroic • Or a villain • Or a damsel • Or a victim/general public • Hero’s are often recognisable as normal people • Hero’s are also something people aspire to be – are cool • Hero’s always want to do good, fight for truth and justice (and the American way?)

8. Props • Significant items that we expect Macguffin= a significant object around which the plot revolves

9. Narrative & Plot • At its simplest; Good V Evil • Often a franchise (series of films) • Often starts with heroes origin story • Often High Concept (simple plot, big SFX and budget)

10. Style • Includes micro elements to build up a specific ‘look’ or ‘feel’ • This may link to original comics, or stay throughout franchise

11. Task • Iron Man 3 • Batman Begins • Blade 2 • Watch the clips and fill in the grid trying to pick out key codes and conventions