1. Question 1: In what ways does your
product use, develop or challenge
forms and conventions of real media
products?
2. My idea isn’t like a normal superhero film where the hero is an all-round good guy. Although it is a hero film the initial hero (main hero) is in fact
the bad guy (Anti-hero) as he is the main cause for the apocalypse. This could be linked to films such as ‘kick-ass’ and ‘Watchman’ where he is a
bit of an Anti-hero due to the fact he doesn't have any powers. I think it ideal as it should still attract the superhero traditional target audiences
as the content of the film will be the same. My media product shows conventions seen in many other films, but not stereotypically from a
superhero film. This is because during my first 2 minutes I’ve chosen to do a monologue explaining past event whilst the main character (hero) is
looking for supplies due to the fact he needs to survive and apocalypse that he created. This is similar to films like ‘I am Legend’ and ‘Walking
dead’ therefore apocalypse themes are highly liked. Other superhero beginnings I noticed that majority of the directors like Marc Webb who
directed The Amazing Spider-man 2, start their film with action which straightaway distinguishes who the good guy/hero is. In Spider-man this is
done by immediately screening Spider-man swinging on his web through New York to then fight off the bad guys. Therefore automatically
showing the audience what they came to see the film for, showing no un-necessary information as the film is already a sequel.
The first thing we are shown is a remunerable and recognisable Spiderman logo even if you didn’t know what Spiderman is, you could tell that it’s
a significant part to Spiderman’s character identification. Whereas my film doesn’t start with a logo due to the fact he isn’t necessarily the type of
man to have a logo yet. I didn’t want my hero to have a specific logo as throughout the whole film he is the reason for the destruction. Therefore
if he was to have a logo then it could be seen as a threat sign more of a hero sign. This wouldn’t be good for the sequel where I would make him
more of a typical superhero, saving living things, righting wrongs. However my hero will continue to not have a hidden identity.
3. My film is primarily of the action/superhero genre. It has contains some quick cuts to keep the pace up so it doesn’t drag and therefore will
keep you engaged with what’s going on. But I do have long clips which are not like usual superhero films where it is busy and quick. I’ve done
this as I want/need people to concentrate on the monologue as it contains vital information about the events of the film. My project also
covers characters who have survived the apocalypse who show characteristics of being violence but shortly change to be a victim, and there
influences on ordinary people, and also the issue of crime. At one point I leave the viewer to decide if he is a big time mobsters, or simply
people caught in the wrong place at the wrong time. However, the people shown in my product are quite young, which is quite
unconventional, as usually men associated with crime are a lot older.
Actors
Although it’s the first 2 minutes of a film I haven’t shown a female in the footage which challenges the normal conventions of the superhero
genre. I haven't chosen to include a female in distress as my hero is meant to be known/seen as a lonely single guy. This then hopefully makes
the audience feel sympathy for him much like in ‘I am Legend and also gives him, a factor for him causing this apocalypse. There wasn’t any
need to include a girl however I did choice to have a male mugger so then it was stereotypical for the man to be more violent and also believe
this would be less confusing to the audience as it easier to associate violence and muggers with a male. This is just the harsh reality of todays
stereotypes about gender difference. Now a days the bad guys also have a power however I have not chosen to make that the case, due to
the fact I want my hero to stand out more.
4. Costume
My so called villain look nothing like a villain as he is wearing
normal jeans and a dirty white tee. I wanted this to be the
case juxtaposition to my hero. I needed there to be a contrast
in characterisation because I didn’t want my audience to get
confused . I wanted them to know that will is a normal person
just doing what he needs to do in order to survive, therefore
he isn't a bad guy. On the other hand my superhero was doing
the same but knows he is a threat to a lot of people and
doesn’t know how to control his power in the right way yet.
My costume for my hero is different to normal stereotypical
hero films as my hero doesn’t have uniform that the ordinary
people can identify him as. The reason for this was because his
powers aren't in use for good yet and he as a character
doesn’t necessarily enjoy having his powers. Therefore he
wouldn’t want the uniform to give of the impression he likes
or is proud of these powers.
Location
My location is set outside an abandoned building in the middle of a forest,
this straight away is different to the majority of hero film as they are more
often set in massive city's such as New York. This would be so the hero is
more of a hero as their challenge is greater. This is in complete contrast to
my film. Although initial the setting is in a forest he manages to do damage
to the country which is clearly bigger than a city. The forest makes me film
more scary then heroic and this therefore compliments the back to front
hero in my film.
Props
For weapons is used a kitchen knifer for the
mugger as I thought that would be
appropriate due to it just being a normal
everyday domestic objects. However I used
a gun of the hero but he never uses it due to
having his natural telekinesis power. I used
rememberable and important neckless
within my film, as a form of identification for
the hero's power. Incorporating a gun
during my film as it represents violence
which is a common occurrence in a
superhero film due to the villains. Therefore
this Is challenges the conventions of a hero
film as the gun is with my hero.
Equipment
For the production part of my movie (filming) I
used a canon camera which is different to normal
blockbuster films as they use much more expensive
and detailed ca cameras.
