Useful Information
The Dark Knight

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Starring Christan Bale as Batman and
Heath Ledger as Joker.

Genre: Action
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.
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.
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’ 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… (WRITE
WHAT THE PLAN IS IN YOUR OWN WORDS). 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 sample 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.

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.

½ shadow ½ 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
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 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 effectively uses camera
shots, lighting, music and costume to create
a suspenseful atmosphere 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.)