Marvel & DC Research

Marvel & DC

Marvel

Marvel has been through many name changes through the decades, (Timely Publications - 1939, Atlas comics - 1950, Marvel Comics - 1960) but has always delivered the same kind of product; Superhero Comics. The superhero genre of comics was truly perfected by Stan Lee in 1961 who went on to create the Fantastic Four and then most other superheroes we hear about now. Today, we have the 'Marvel Cinematic Universe' which are a set of films all set in the same timeline that connect at different points. Since the MCU was started by Iron Man (2008, Jon Favreau), each instillation of the franchise has been hugely successful, making billions of dollars. Multiple other films have already been planned including: Inhumans, Black Panther, Doctor strange, Captain Marvel, all set in the same universe and set to meet up in other films. The reason Marvel films are so popular is because they combine the perfect amount of comedy and action which is difficult to do.  This gives them one of the largest fan bases of all time. 

DC 

The biggest rivals to Marvel, DC comics were established in 1934 (as Detective Comics) by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson as a branch of Warner Brothers. They made the same kind of comics as Marvel and had many superheroes similar to Marvel (e.g Green Arrow and Hawkeye or Shazam and Superman). Much like the MCU, DC are now starting to make a cinematic  universe starting with the Superman films which have achieved relative success; but nothing compared to that of Marvel. They are taking a much more serious and gritty approach to the superhero genre with an emphasis on being thriller films over comedy films. The movies that they are set to release include: Suicide Squad, Batman v Superman and Justice League (which all look relatively good). 

Star Wars 7 Trailer Sound Breakdown

Star Wars - The Force Awakens

Trailer #3 Sound

• There is a very good use of non-diegetic right at the start where the music seems to control the cuts to different shots. The simplicity of the single piano notes as well as the atmosphere that they create really works with the mysterious masked figure that we first see.

•  There are lots of examples diegetic and non-diegetic sound working together like when a ship activates light-speed in time to a bass drum to make it sound more powerful or when Kylo Ren draws his light-sabre in beat the the theme tune to emphasise each movement.

• The thunder storm surrounding the evil Kylo Ren is an extremely good example of using diegetic sound to emphasise something in the shot or an emotion of a character (like the sun being out when someone is happy, a pathetic fallacy).

• The blasters sound great, and are practically the same from the original trilogy. Using the same sound like they did was a great idea because it is such a well known noise and is present in many other sci-fi movies, not just Star Wars; using anything else would kill everyone's nostalgia.  

Scott Pilgrim Trailer - Mise en Scene

Scott Pilgrim vs the World

Mise en scene

The director chose to make this shot's background dull to make sure your attention is on them completely and there clothes. The costume (specifically the shirt) that Scott is wearing is a soft blue that reflects his soft, sensitive personality, whereas Ramona's costume is a warm pink which implies she is much more confident. This can be backed up by the actor's postures. Scott is slouched and a little bit hunched over like he is nervous, but Ramona's shoulders are raised high and she is standing straight making her seem powerful.

  

This is probably my favourite shot since it is so simple but it tells us everything we need to know. They way Scott is motionlessly staring at the door shows that he is waiting for something important to come.

Even with all the lights in the background, this is still a perfect example of low key lighting because all we can really see of Scott and Gideon is their shadows and their swords. The way both swords are leaving streaks of light where they go shows that they are moving at extreme speeds contrary to how fast they seem to be moving in the film.

This is a great group shot of 'Sex Bob-omb' since you can clearly see the whole band as well as Young Neil (right) and a few members of the crowd. The spotlights in the back gives the shot very high key lighting as well as making the band look as if they are radiating light.