SUPERHERO CASE STUDY:CAPTAIN AMERICACaptain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Background information

http://marvel-movies.wikia.com/wiki/Captain_America:_The_First_Avenger

There is a ‘plot synopsis’ available for your folders.

The comicsUse the internet to find out why these 4 comics are so important to the films of Captain America. It would be a good idea to write down a one sentence summary for each on this sheet.

Captain America: Man Out of Time

Captain America: No More

Avengers Civil War

Captain America Comics Issue 1

The films

Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

The Avengers (2012)

Captain America: The Winter Soldier(2014)

What makes it a SuperHero film?

What makes Captain America a SuperHero film?

Characters

Steve Rogers Captain America Red Skull Johann Schmidt Peggy Carter Colonel Chester Dr. Abraham Erskine Bucky Barnes

Characters: Can you match them up?

Character types:

Hero Villain Alter Ego Politician / bureaucrat Love interest Helper Scientist

Character types:

Hero Villain Alter Ego Politician / bureaucrat Love interest Helper Scientist

A review of the film

Use the guide “how to write a film review” and write a review about the film Captain America: The First Avenger.

Make sure that you include information about the film (use your work so far) and explain your opinion about whether you liked it or not, explaining why.

The poster

Using ideas from here and what you know about film posters, design your own one-sheet poster for Captain America.

This could also be a useful cover for your work on Captain America.

The poster

Using ideas from here and what you know about film posters, design your own teaser poster for Captain America.

Remember the differences between a one sheet poster and a teaser poster before you begin planning your own poster.

Merchandise

Here are some examples of the kinds of things that have been created to promote the film.

Think of 3 things that you could design to promote the film. Think of props in the film that you could design to be used or use the images of the characters on items to promote the film.

Key scenes:

Number 1: The transformation scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpW4A_lqjk

In what ways is this a typical transformation scene?

How is this different to other transformation scenes that you might have seen? (Think about who is in the room, what we can see and the camera angles used to do this)

How is this similar to other transformation scenes that you might seen? (Think about the way in which Steve is turned into a SuperHero. How does the use of sound and props show that there is a dramatic transformation happening?)

Key scenes:

Number 1: The transformation scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVpW4A_lqjk

Task: Using no more than 12 shots, design your own storyboard of the transformation scene.

Think about what you would do differently to what we see in the film.

Try to think of new and original camera angles that aren’t used in the film.

EXTENSION: Think carefully about, and label your shots with, information about what sound effects you’d use.

Key scenes:

Number 2: Capt. America as a SuperHero https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdBO3uQcHgI

This is one of the first scenes we see of Captain America in uniform and fighting. How does it show that he is now a SuperHero?

What specific micro-features are used here to create this scene in a way that shows Capt. America is now a SuperHero? (Think of at least 2 micro features and comment on their use.)

How is this similar to other fighting scenes in other films? What is done in this scene to show off what Captain America’s special skills or powers are? (Think about the props that are used and how they are used. Consider the way in which Captain America fights and attacks others-how is this shown with micro-features?)

Key scenes:

Number 2: Capt. America as a SuperHero

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdBO3uQcHgI

Task: Note how Captain America uses his

costume and props in this scene. Design a newer, more modern version of

his costume and props that would be suited for a modern, realistic battlefield.

Key scenes:

Number 3: The grenade scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO6qu5fQLHo

In this scene, Steve shows that he might be weedy and skinny, but is courageous and brave.

What is it about his actions that show he is brave? Why is this scene important to the film? What do we

as an audience learn about him as a character? What does this help to tell what might happen later in the film?

How is this scene made so that we see Steve as brave? What micro features are used?

Key scenes:

Number 3: The grenade scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kO6qu5fQLHo

TASK: Re-write the script for this scene.

Look at the script for this scene and write it slightly differently. Make it so that Steve is still seen as brave, but you could change the events or the reaction of others to show this.

Try adding or changing the dialogue to this scene, but remember to keep the characters sounding the same.

Themes

Themes are the subjects or ideas in a film or that come from a film. Themes are NOT the storyline, but the ideas that come from the storyline.

For example: “love concurs all”, “death as a part of life”, “man vs nature”, “revenge”.

What themes are present in Captain America?

StyleSuperman (1978) and Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)In terms of style, what are the differences? How would describe their looks? Why do you think that they are different? Does one look more realistic than the other? Why might that be?

Contents – Year 9 Film Folders Storyline What makes it a superhero film Characters Important information grid Your review Poster New costume Design a new enemy for Captain

America. Label their powers or abilities and try to make these clear on the costume.