Useful Information

The Dark Knight  Directed by Christopher Nolan  Starring Christan Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as Joker.  Genre: Action

The Dark Knight  Camera shots / camera angles  Costume  Characterisation  Lighting and colour  Special effects  Mise en scene  Music

Past Paper Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama which is particularly dramatic. Describe what happens in the scene or sequence, explaining how the film or programme makers effectively use techniques to create drama. 12. Choose a film or TV drama in which there is a character who poses a threat to the main character. Show how media techniques are used to portray the character in such a way that the audience reacts against him/her and sees the threat which he/she poses.

Past Paper Choose a film or TV drama* which has a character who could be described as a hero or as a villain.Explain how the the character is introduced and then developed throughout the film or TV drama. 11. Choose a film or TV drama* in which setting is an important feature. Explain how the setting is established and go on to show how the setting contributes to the effectiveness of the film or TV drama as a whole. 12. Choose a scene or sequence from a film or TV drama* in which an atmosphere of mystery, or horror, or suspense is created. Describe what happens in the scene or sequence, explaining how the techniques used by the film or programme makers create this atmosphere.

Past Paper Choose a film which you think is typical of its genre, for example: action, romance, comedy, horror... Explain how the film makers have used the features of the genre to create a successful film.

Past Paper Choose a sequence from a film which is important both to the atmosphere and to the plot of the film. Show how atmosphere is created in the sequence and go on to show how the sequence and the atmosphere are important to the film as a whole.

Past Paper Choose a film or TV drama* which involves the pursuit of power or the fulfilment of an ambition. Show how the theme is developed through the presentation of character and setting. 12. Choose a film or TV drama* which reflects an important aspect of society. Describe the aspect of society being dealt with and show how the techniques used by the film or programme maker help to deepen your understanding of the importance of this aspect.

Past Paper Choose a film or TV drama* which creates suspense or tension either in a particular scene or throughout the whole film or TV drama. Show how the suspense or tension is created and how it affects your enjoyment of the film or TV drama* as a whole. 11. Choose a film or TV drama* which deals with crime or espionage or detection. Show how the film or TV drama* captures and holds your interest by its choice of content and use of media techniques.

Introduction for Film essays  Mention the title and director.  Briefly explain what you are going to do in your essay. (WITHOUT writing “In this essay I am going to…” or “This essay will…” etc.  Make sure you link to the question that you are answering.

Past Paper Choose a sequence from a film which is important both to the atmosphere and to the plot of the film. Show how atmosphere is created in the sequence and go on to show how the sequence and the atmosphere are important to the film as a whole.

‘The Dark Knight’ is a film directed by Christopher Nolan that builds suspenseful atmosphere throughout. Nolan uses camera angles, camera shots, lighting, music and costume to create an intense atmosphere. This can be particularly noted in the key scene where the Joker draws the citizens of Gotham into his chaotic plans. The atmosphere constructed is important to the film as a whole because…

Summary  Briefly outline the plot.  Do not give a ‘blow by blow’ account.  Focus your summary on what the question is asking. E.g. if you are answering about suspense, indicate suspenseful points in the film.

The key scene where Nolan creates a suspenseful atmosphere occurs towards the end of the film. The Joker has… Batman finds his location and… Eventually the people of Gotham… And the Joker…

PEER in Film essays  Point – make a main point for the paragraph  Example – give an example from the film  Explain – analyse the example from the film. Why did you pick this example? What does it help you understand?  Respond in a way that is relevant to the task (relate it back to the question).

Nolan uses camera shots and camera angles to create a suspenseful atmosphere. The beginning of this scene the director uses a long shot to establish the scene. The audience notices two ferries and questions the Joker’s plan. This creates suspense as the shot clearly implies something sinister but the audience is yet to find out exactly what this plan is. Shortly after, the plan begins to unfold as the audience is shown a close up of a detonator and then a close up of a clock. This draws attention to the objects and imposes questions about their significance. The Joker then reveals his plan… (WRITE WHAT THE PLAN IS IN YOUR OWN WORDS). These camera shots create a suspenseful atmosphere in this scene as the Joker’s horrific intensions are slowly revealed and the plot is made clearer. This is important to the film as a whole as it enhances the audience’s involvement in decoding the Joker’s plan and makes them realise how terrible it must have been to be on the boat making the decisions the Joker forced the citizens into.

The Main Body…  Using the sample paragraph as a template, complete a paragraph on: Lighting Music Costume Remember to say how they contribute to the atmosphere and plot. State why this is an effective contribution to the film as a whole.

 The use of lighting in this film can create atmosphere in the scene and convey two sides of a character’s personality. One example of this is once Batman has caught the Joker.  ½ shadow ½ light – Batman’s face (maybe Joker too…)  Lighting on the boats – lots of light – innocent people? Remember to say how it contributes over all to the film atmosphere and plot

 The director also uses music to convey the suspenseful atmosphere of the scene. The music creates suspense because…  Minimalistic (clashing notes = Joker)  Experimental (eg razors)  How it changes throughout the scene.

 Costumes are used to create atmosphere and develop understanding of the characters. This also contributes to the understanding of the plot.  Joker’s costume – contrasting colours, makeup  Batman – secret identity, mask, black

Conclusion 11. Choose a sequence from a film which is important both to the atmosphere and to the plot of the film. Show how atmosphere is created in the sequence and go on to show how the sequence and the atmosphere are important to the film as a whole.  Use the words of the question  Summarize your points from the essay.

In conclusion, Nolan effectively uses camera shots, lighting, music and costume to create a suspenseful atmosphere in the dramatic scene involving the ferries. These are all important both to the overall atmosphere and to the plot of the film. (Say why they are effective and how the audience benefits from this…) (Make sure your last line rounds everything up nicely.)