The document compares the 2014 films Hercules and San Andreas. Both films star Dwayne Johnson and utilize green screen technology. They also feature Johnson risking his life to save family members. In Hercules, Johnson plays the mythical hero who seeks revenge after his family is killed. In San Andreas, a disaster film, Johnson plays a rescue pilot trying to save his daughter during an earthquake. While the genres and plots differ, the films are similar in their use of special effects, focus on family, and endings that provide hope after adversity.

1. Genre is a category of artistic composition, as in music, literature or movie, characterized by
similarities in form, style, or subject matter. In Adventure films are genre of film. Unlike the
action films, they often use their action scenes preferably to display and explore exotic locations
in an energetic way. On the other hand, a disaster film is a film genre that has an impending or
ongoing disaster as its subject and primary plot devices. The movies that I choose, Hercules and
San Andreas. In the movie "Hercules", it is about a guy with strong strength and power who
shows that he is a half god and half human. “San Andreas” is the kind of film that can imply the
violent deaths of millions of innocent people without batting an eye, just so long as the five or
six Californians who matter make it out with only cuts and bruises(Variety, 2015). These two
movies are mostly similar in the style even though they happened in distance of time line.
Firstly, both of the movies were starred by Dwayne Douglas Johnson. He is born in Hayward,
California, United States in May 2, 1972. He is an American and also Canadian actor, producer
and semi-retired professional wrestler. When he was young, he used to be a football player in the
University of Miami. He won a national championship on the 1991 Miami Hurricanes football
team. The stage name he normally uses is "The Rock". He is a strong and tough man who never
gives up and shows perseverance in every challenges which is like a rock. He always maintains
his shape of body and stays fit when he was filming Hercules and San Andreas. In those movies,
he is a hero who saved a lot of people as his image in reality really suitable in it. Hence, he acted
both of the movies and the movies are really attractive.
Secondly, both of the movies were using chroma key compositing which is the green screen
that we usually could find out from behind the scene of the movies. Through the magic of video
effects and technology, you can superimpose your subjects onto virtual
backgrounds(VideoMaker, 2014). Hence, Hercules and San Andreas used this program to make
a lot of special effects as they were too hard or impossible to be taken in real life. For example,
in the Hercules, fierce monsters and the power of Hercules to push down a gigantic statue in
order to force down the enemy and others were made from the chroma key. In addition, San
Andreas applied about 90% of special effects for the sake of showing us a breathtaking view.
Therefore, chroma key compositing - special effect had been using in both of the movies to make
the impossible scenes into more genuine.
Not only that, the same theme that I have got from the both movies is risking life for their
family. In Hercules, Johnson called himself Hercules(Dwayne Johnson), half human/half god
cannot seem to please those in heaven with his amazing physical feats (ParentPreviews, 2014).
So he hires out his talents to those on earth. He had been through the legendary Twelve Labours
to show his power to the people. He same called himself Sparta. He had an unusual strength and
he well-used it to help people to fight for justice. Due to some issue with a king called Hera who
drove Hercules insane and manipulated him to kill his wife, Megara and their children during a
visit to King Eurystheus. He spent half of his life of journey. Resorting to seeking employment
as a mercenary, the muscle bound legend has gathered a team of ragtag warriors to work with
him to revenge Hera (ParentPreviews, 2014). Hercules loved his family who risked his life to
make his family rested in peace. In addition, in the disaster film, San Andreas, Johnson who
played as Ray Gaines. He is also a savior in the cities. He occupied as a Log Angeles Fire
Department Air Rescue pilot. He got divorced with his wife because of his busy job which made
them lack of time to spend together. He has a daughter called Blake. He loves her very much as
there is a scene when the tsunami nearly drowned Blake, Ray dives into the water in the building

2. to save her. He also saved many victims who suffered from disasters. Hence, both of the movies
indeed showed their bold and adventurous heart to do something risky for their family.
Apart from that, the ending part of Hercules and San Andreas is like every cloud has a silver
lining. In the Hercules movie, after he killed Hera, the guy controlled him to kill his wife and
children, he showed his strength and will to the subordinates of Hera. By portraying this action to
the people helped Hercules to defeat the enemy and save his partners. On the other hand, in the
movie, San Andreas, Ray Gaines who risked his life to save her girl, Blake from the death. Her
daughter was nearly drowned in the water but luckily she made it. Then, their family reunited
and help the victims to rebuild their home. The endings of both the movies are most likely
showing the same thing which is everything turns to be great eventually.
Last but not the least, I have learnt how to compare the similarity movies. I understand how to
write an essay of comparison. Moreover, I studied about the chroma key - the special effects
program in the movies. Those actors in the big movies are normally acting with a green screen
for the outstanding views. Furthermore, I also know how to write a citation from the source of
internet and magazine.

3. Reference:
Gustafson, R. (2014, November 4). Hercules (2014). Retrieved December 1, 2015, from
http://parentpreviews.com/movie-reviews/review/hercules-2014
Barker, A. (2015, May 27). Film Review: 'San Andreas' Retrieved December 1, 2015, from
http://variety.com/2015/film/reviews/film-review-san-andreas-1201505369/
Peters, C. (2013, December 25). How Does Green Screen Work? Retrieved December 1, 2015,
from
http://www.videomaker.com/article/c10/17026-how-does-green-screen-work

4. SCHOOL OF ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND DESIGN
THE DESIGN SCHOOL
FOUNDATION IN NATURAL BUILD ENVIRONMENT
NAME: THOMAS TING SHII KAI
STUDENT ID NO: 0323962
FILMS SELECTED: HERCULES (ADVENTURE)
SAN ANDREAS (DISASTER)
WORD COUNT: 954
ENGLISH 2 (ELG 30605)
WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT 1: COMPARE – CONTRAST ESSAY
LECTURER: GOPIGHANTAN MYLVAGANAM
SUBMISSIONDATE: DECEMBER 4TH
2015