CASE STUDY - The Dark Knight

In this lessson, we've been looking at the film industry, the jobs required and also we've looked closely at Christopher Nolan's 'The Dark Knight'.

Directed and co-written by Christopher Nolan. Writen by Jonathan Nolan. Produced by Chuck Roven. Music composed by Hans Zimmer.

This film was funded by Warner Bros, the homepage can be visited for further information. There is much information provided on their homepage. There are many hyperlinks, for example: videos and photos, synopsis, cast, downloads

There are also several hyperlinks to titles by year, genre and cast which provides a great range for movie lovers.
The web page has been very cleverly designed in the way to have used sinister colours for font and background to match the movie's image of darkness.

Warner Bros is one of the major film studios in the whole world.
It was founded in 1918 ans is still running nowadays.
Has an operating income of $845 million US$
Is owned by Time Warner.
They specialise in motion pictures and television programs.

Comparing the thriller conventions in 'Memento' and 'Insomnia'

Thriller Conventions:

• Fast pace, Jump cuts and Cross cuts
• Fight scenes, violence, weapons
• Powerful 'hard men', heroes and villains
• Psychological
• Exotic locations, foreign cities
• Fast pace music, sound effects --> bombs, guns, explosions

Memento (2000) starring Guy Pearce

ABOUT :A man, suffering from short-term memory loss, uses notes and tattoos to hunt for the man he thinks killed his wife.

Insomnia (2002) starring Al Pacino, Hilary Swank, Robin Williams

ABOUT:

Two Los Angeles homicide detectives are dispatched to a northern town where the sun doesn't set to investigate the methodical murder of a local teen.

Both have titles that hint and follow the message of their films. Insomnia has names that fade to suggest blurred vision. Memento has fast pace names until MEMENTO slows down. These films both open with music played by strings, a slow and minor sound. This creates a weary atmosphere and mood.

They both then go on to the pictures. Insomnia opens with blood dripping on a white fabric. Blood is a common convention for a thriller film. Memento also uses it in its opening scene, you notice blood on the wall in the picture that is held up.

In The Beginning

So far in my Media Studies AS, we've looked at 'mise-en-scene' and analysed movie trailers and opening sequences, like

• Gary Ross' 'Pleasantville' (1998), featuring award-winning Tobey Maguire and Reese Witherspoon

• Oscar-winning 'Psycho' (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock

• And finally, 'Die Hard 3' (1995), starring Bruce Willis

We have also done some cinematography work to learn the many different camera shots. Which then lead to editing on the Macs!

A Little About Me

Hi guys,

I am called Agnes Rivet and here are a few facts about me:

I am an AS Media Studies Student at St Peters School in Guidford.

As well as studying Media, my other subjects include French, Theatre Studies and English Literature.

My ultimate dream career would be to become an actress in the theatre and film Industry.

I have had much experience on stage, including plays and musicals. Like Annie, Guys and Dolls, Much Ado About Nothing.. I'm currently rehearsing for school's production of Les Miserables and company Ghosts' production of Little Shop of Horrors. :)

Moreover, I have acted in my brothers' film's Opening Sequence, giving me valuable experience in this area of the cinematic Industry.