Exploration of Film Techniques in "The Dark Knight
Delve into the intricate world of film techniques employed in the iconic movie "The Dark Knight," directed by Christopher Nolan. Explore how camera shots, costume design, character portrayal, lighting, special effects, mise-en-scene, and music contribute to creating drama, suspense, and an unforgettable atmosphere in this cinematic masterpiece.
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The Dark Knight Directed by Christopher Nolan Starring Christian Bale as Batman and Heath Ledger as Joker.
The Dark Knight Camera shots / camera angles Costume Characterisation Lighting and colour Special effects Mise en scene Music
Past Paper 2012 11. 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 2011 10. 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 2010 12. 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 2009 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.
Past Paper 2008 10. 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 2007 10. 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.
Critical Film Essay Critical Film Essay
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.
N5 2015 7. Choose a scene or sequence from a film or television drama* which creates a particular feeling or emotion. By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the director leads you to feel this way. 8. Choose a film or television drama* which has a character who is admirable and/or unpleasant. By referring to appropriate techniques, explain how the character is presented in the film/television drama* as a whole.
Past Paper 2009 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.
The Dark Knight (2008) 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. 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 class 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.
Lighting 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. shadow light Batman s face (maybe Joker too ) i.e. Side lighting! Lighting on the boats lots of light- High Key Lighting innocent people? Remember to say how it contributes over all to the film atmosphere and plot
Music / soundtrack 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 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 creates suspenseful atmosphere in The Dark Knight (2008) by effectively uses camera shots, lighting, music and costume 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.)
lighting 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. shadow 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
Music 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. Where does it build up? Why does it do this? How does this contribute to atmosphere and plot?
Costume 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 How does this contribute to atmosphere and plot?
Nolan uses costume to convey the mental state of the Joker and the personality of Batman. The Joker wears contrasting colours of purple and green to communicate he is crazy, psychotic and therefor, dangerous. This also conveys the controversy between his mental state and wellbeing. His scars are a physical representation of his damaged mind. He changes to story of how he got them which contribute to the idea of him being psychotic, we are not sure if the scars are self-inflicted or not. He wears make-up as a mask and is very scruffy which tells us he does not care about how he looks. Batman has a head to toe armour suit. All black which make him mysterious and secretive. The muscle plates all around his costume makes him seem intimidating. The suit is full if impressive gadgets and weapons conveying he is very intelligent. He also wears a bat-like mask and had ways to make him fly or control his landing, hence his name Batman . (You must say how this relates to drama in the scene )
Another technique that the director uses to create suspense is costume. The Joker throughout the movie wears a purple and green suit these are contrasting colours this reflects that The Joker is erratic and unstable therefore he creates suspense because you can t predict what he will do next. The Batman is another example of how the director uses costume to create Batman is another example of how the director uses costume to create suspense. The Batman wears black body armour this tells the audience that he is mysterious and withdrawn therefor this creates suspense because the mysteriousness causes curiosity in the audience s minds drawing special interest to The Batman.
Another technique that Nolan uses to create suspense is camera angles. An example of this is when they are in the building looking over to the ferry; this is a high camera angle. This creates suspense because we are now able to look over the whole scene with the ferries in the back ground. This help the audience understand the scene and of what The Joker's plan is. This creates suspense because now the audience is wondering what is next in The Joker's plan.
Another technique that the director uses to create suspense is camera shots. The scene which they are looking at the ferry is an extreme long shot. This sets the scene because the audience now know that it is night, it is where the next scene will be but the thing the audience does not know is what will happen because it implies that they are trapped on the ferry. This therefore creates suspense about what will happen next. Another example of how the director uses camera shots to created suspense in when they are at the scene where they are in the ferry looking at the civilians this is a long shot. You can tell this because it shows use allot of the passengers. This tells the number of peoples on the boat. This adds more suspense because you now know a little bit more about the situation.
In conclusion, the director uses camera shots, lighting, music, camera angles and costume in a way that it creates suspense in the chaotic scene in which the ferries are feature. These are all very important to the feeling and atmosphere of the film and to the storyline of the film. They are effective because of the great amount of thought put into every little detail and the audience benefits from this by subconsciously thinking about what will happen next. The Dark Knight is overall a brilliant film that uses suspense many forms so to create a suspenseful and curious atmosphere. The audience are forced to consider what they would do in that situation.
