The Dark Knight falls under the genres of action and thriller. It contains elements of crime, mystery, and superhero subgenres. The film can be classified in different ways under Stam, Mittel, and Fuerer's genre theories. It uses conventions like a villain-driven plot, deaths of innocent people, and a hero on a quest. Iconography includes costumes, settings, and stars. The film's tone is suspenseful. Overall, the document discusses analyzing The Dark Knight in terms of genre, theories, semantics, syntax, iconography, conventions, and tone to achieve a target level of a B-C grade.

1. Target Level: Green
Assignment 5:
Film Study & Conventions In A Film
By: Chelsea and Abigail

2. Target Level: Green
• By 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
 Stam’s theory
 Mittel’s theory
 Fuerer’s 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 reasoning
• We chose The Dark Knight because it is a good representation of the
thriller genre. We are both familiar with the film and we also felt we could
talk a lot about this movie as it contains many conventions of the main
genre and sub genres.

5. Genre
The Dark Knight falls under the genre of action.
As a thriller movie, it is aimed to thrill and excite the audience by
putting them on the edge of their seats with fast paced action
and hard core blasts of energy.

6. Subgenre
The Dark Knight contains a range of sub genres, including:
•Superhero
•Crime
•Thriller
•Mystery
•Spy

7. Hybrids
The Dark Knight contains a range of hybrid genres, including:
• Superhero Drama
• Action-Superhero
• Superhero Thriller
• Crime superhero drama
• Fantasy
• Action Thriller

8. Stam Theory
 Stam’s theory is that genre cannot be easily defined under the ‘main
genre’s but under other ways. The Dark Knight can be classified other ways
than under its main genre. For example its a high budget film, its a
Christian Bale film and the plot of the film is borrowed from the comic
series of Batman.
Source:
Wikipedia
Christian Bale

9. Added notes
“Stam’s 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. ”
Another way to classify The Dark Knight without relation to it’s main genre is to classify it under
the comic book genre, as the Batman franchise started in 1940 with the ‘Batman’ comics,
although the character first appeared in the ‘Detective Comics’ in 1939. ‘Batman’ was later made
into a television program in the 1960’s which was followed by various movies throughout the
decades, including the most recent ‘The Dark Knight Rises’.
The film can also be classified under ‘performer based’ as it contains many big named actors who
have starred in lots of big films. For example: Christian Bale, who has starred as Batman
throughout the trilogy (Batman Begins, The Dark Knight and The Dark Knight Rises), Heath Ledger
(who died six months before the movie was released) as The Joker and Michael Caine as Alfred
the butler, as well as Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman as James Gordon and Aaron Eckhart.

10. Mittel Theory
‘Mittel’s 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 nearly everyday – maybe not in everyday life, but the products
are all around us.
‘The Dark Knight’ sells products as the main character ‘batman’ is from the superhero
fanatic.
Recently there has been a superhero craze with movies such as ‘The Dark Knight
Rises’, ‘The Amazing Spiderman’ and ‘The Avengers’ gaining millions in the box office,
thus accenting the return of superheroes.
The Dark Knight especially led to the creation of many products including children’s
toys, action figures, clothing and of course DVDs/Blu-rays etc. of the film.

11. Fuerer Theory
Fuerer’s theory that “genre is abstract and isn’t easily defined as everyone has different
ideas, life experience etc therefore they interpret codes and conventions
differently”
• Fuerer’s 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

12. Added notes
“Fuerer’s theory is that genre is abstract, meaning that it is not easily defined because
everyone has different ideas, ideals, life experience, culture etc and therefore
interpret codes and conventions differently. (what is recognisable and familiar to one,
may not be recognisable or familiar to someone else in the same way). ”
This theory can be related to The Dark Knight because where some people might see it
as another superhero film, others might interpret it as being a crime drama, action-
thriller, a comic book adaptation or even a thriller fantasy film. Some people might
even define it as a light psychological-action-drama-romantic-thriller.

13. Semantics
Semantics Evidence in film?
Characters Hero (Batman), Villain (Joker)
Locations Set 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)
Story Traits Death of a loved one, Revenge, Good vs Evil,
Escalation of violence
Costumes Capes, Masks
Props Guns, Knives,
Ritual Death of the villain

14. Syntax
What is the syntax (overall message/purpose) of the film?
 When a society has no leaders they become unethical and uncivilised
 There's corruption within the government
 The government lies to the society to make things seem okay when
they’re not
 Good vs. Evil

15. Iconography
Iconography
Costume Masks
Capes
police uniforms
Suits
facial disguises
Setting Big cities, i.e.. New York, San Francisco, London etc.
The Dark Knight is set in the fictional city of ‘Gotham’
Staging Prison cells
Tall buildings
Chaotic streets
Rooftops
Star/Celebrity Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Morgan Freeman, Gary Oldman, Michael Caine (the Dark Knight)
Others known for their roles in thrillers are: George Clooney, Liam Neeson and Robert DeNiro

16. Tone
Only source of lighting
The lack of lighting in this scene creates
suspense and anticipation as the audience is
unable see the full setting of the scene. Only
the face of the characters is visible in this
scene so that the audience can focus on the
facial expressions of the characters.
This escalating sound effect adds tension to the scene
because as the tone gets more intense the audience learns
more information about where the victims are.

17. Convention list
Conventions of Thriller Examples from range of Used, developed or challenged?
real films
1. Villain driven plot X-Men First Class, Kill Used- the Joker initiates the chaos that occurs
Bill throughout the film as a result of his actions.
2. Revenge Salt, Memento, Taken 2 Developed- 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 fiancé but dies at the end.
3. Kidnapping Taken Used- The joker kidnaps and keeps innocent people
hostage.
4. Deaths of innocent people Used
5. Involves a quest or mission Memento, Abduction, Used
that only the main character The Girl With A Dragon
can solve/reveal the truth Tattoo, Kill Bill, Salt
6. The main character works Abduction, Salt, The Girl Used
with a particular institution With The Dragon
e.g. Police, army, government Tattoo, I Robot, Casino
Royale
7.Includes the lost/death of a Memento, Abduction, Used
loved one Taken
8. The hero is often an Dark Knight, Black Used-
outsider or secretive Swan, I Robot

18. Conventions analysis
Conventions of Examples from film Comparison to Is it used, developed
Thriller other films or challenged?
1. Villain driven plot • The joker is the Silence of the Used
cause of the whole Lambs
plot
• Killing innocent
people and causing
havoc within the city
• He is the main cause
of the events that
take place during
the movie

19. Conventions analysis
Conventions of Examples from film Comparison to Is it used,
Thriller other films developed or
challenged?
2. Revenge • Harvey Dent is out The Punisher Used
to get revenge on
all those who
helped cause the
death of his fiancé

20. Conventions analysis
Conventions of Examples from Comparison to Is it used,
Thriller films other films developed or
challenged?
3. Kidnapping • Many people are Taken Used
kidnapped
throughout the
film

21. Conventions of Examples from Comparison to Is it used,
genre/sub/hybrid your film (bullet other films in the developed or
points and screen same challenged?
grab) genre/sub/hybrid
4. Deaths of innocent • The villain, the The Kingdom Used
people Joker, blows up a
hospital containing
innocent
defenceless
victims.
• He is also the
cause of Bruce
Wayne’s childhood
friends’ death.

22. Conventions analysis
Convention of Examples from Comparison to Is it used,
Thriller film other films developed or
challenged?
Involves a quest or •Only the Batman is Sinbad Used
mission and only the able to defeat the
main character is able Joker as the Joker
to solve/reveal the won’t give up until
truth the Batman gives in

23. Conventions analysis
Convention of Examples from Comparison to Is it used,
Thriller film other films developed or
challenged?
The main character •Batman works with Linewatch Used
works with a particular the police to try and
institution e.g. Police, get rid of the mob
army, government gangsters and the
Joker

24. Conventions analysis
Convention of Examples from film Comparison to Is it used,
Thriller other films developed or
challenged?
The hero is often an •Bruce lives a secretive • Superman – Used
outsider or secretive life as Batman and keeps his identity
when he does show his a secret from the
true identity as Bruce,
he is an outsider
public.
•He is easily
misunderstood by the
general public due to
his dark and mysterious
personality.

25. Conventions analysis
Convention of Examples from Comparison to Is it used,
Thriller film other films developed or
challenged?
7.The main character •Batman’s childhood Spiderman Used
suffers the lost/death friend dies in an
of a loved one explosion

26. Dominant Ideology
Dominant Ideology Evidence from film Why this dominant ideology is
present?
Masculinity/Dominance of The main character is a heroic male This dominant ideology is present to
male characters reinforce the idea that men are suppose to
strong and heroic and to create a role
model for the younger male viewers
Justice prevails all the bad guy always dies/is defeated at It is present to reinforce the idea that in the
the end battle between good and evil, good always
triumphs

27. Audience
• This film is for a mass audience as Dark Knight is a blockbuster and is based on the comic book characters
Batman and The Joker and many people may be familiar with these characters.
Details of Target audience Secondary Why would they be attracted to the film?
audience Audience
Age 15-20 21+ Because the older generation may be familiar with
the Batman and joker Characters from their
childhood days
Gender Predominantly Females The stereotype is that action movies are for males
male and most people tend to follow this idea.
Ethnicity Western cultures Eastern Asians It is stereotypical of the western culture action
movie, many people would be familiar with the
conventions so would go to watch it almost
knowing what to expect.
Social Middle Class Upper Class Upper class may be attracted to the film as they
Class may be familiar with the director
Social ‘comic/superhero Collectors and Comic/superhero geeks would be attracted to the
Group geeks’ fans of the actors film because it relates to their hobbies and
interests
Sexual All - The film is targeted at a world wide audience
Orientation therefore there is no specific sexual orientation
Profession/ Students Carers, Teachers, They may hear this film being the main topic of
role Parents conversation between their students and children

28. The Trailer
• The trailer attracts the target audience as it shows all the elements of an action and
thriller film without giving away the full plot of the film.
• The trailer will attract the target audience of teenager males as the trailers includes
many elements of the action genre. This will get the attention of the young male
audience as they are fascinated by explosions, car chases and violence
• http://youtu.be/yQ5U8suTUw0 (link to trailer)
Gun to denote
violence
Explosion scenes are used to
attract the young
male audience

29. Audience Theory
Reasons why people Explanation
watch the film?
Entertainment •People 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 life
Information •People may watch ‘The Dark Knight’ through general curiosity as it may be the main topic
everywhere and is being advertised everywhere
Personal Identity •People 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 culture
Integration and •People will watch ‘The Dark Knight’ to find a basis for conversation and to able to
social interaction socialise with friends and family when discussing this film.
•Buying into the mainstream culture of super heroism

30. By Abigail and Chelsea