A visual text study for year 10. The students study film techniques, characters, themes and symbolism in the film.

1. X2 (2003)
Directed by
Bryan Singer
Christine Wells

2. PlotPlot
• Use the BeforeNow app to create a 10 point timeline to
show the main events in the film.
• Include stills from the film to help show the plot.
• Describe what is happening in each picture and include
dialogue where appropriate.

3. Learning Intentions
Gathering:
•To identify camera shots and angles.
•To identify and describe key features of a visual text such as characters,
themes and symbolism.
Processing:
•To explain and provide evidence for each camera shot or angle.
•To explain and provide evidence for key features of a visual text.
Applying:
•To analyse key features of a visual text and evaluate how well film
techniques support and communicate these features.
•To analyse and evaluate the director’s intention.

4. Success Criteria
Processing
•To demonstrate knowledge of key features of the text through class
activities and discussion.
Applying
•To demonstrate knowledge of different types of camera shots and angles
through creating a Keynote presentation.
•To demonstrate knowledge of the key features of a visual text in 2-3
detailed analytical essays.

5. After watching the click view presentation on camera shots andAfter watching the click view presentation on camera shots and
angles, work in pairs to use iMovie to record an example of eachangles, work in pairs to use iMovie to record an example of each
shot/angle and label it.shot/angle and label it.
 Establishing shot
 Long shot
 High angle
 Low angle
 Medium close up
 Mid shot
 Close up
 Extreme close up
 Extreme long shot
 Dutch tilt
Gathering
Processing
Thinking
Using language, text and
symbols
Managing self
Participating and
contributing

6. Film techniques (visual features)Film techniques (visual features)
View the opening scene. Record notes in the following chart:
Character Film Technique Purpose – how does it help the viewer?
Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Participating and
contributing
Gathering
Processing

7. Characters:WolverineCharacters:Wolverine
 Locate 3-4 pictures of Wolverine
and import into PicCollage.
 Around the outside, write down as
many adjectives as you can.
 For 3 of your adjectives, write down
a film technique that helps to show
this characteristic.
 For example: Strong and powerful.
A mid shot shows Wolverine
standing with his claws drawn ready
to fight. Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Gathering
Processing

8. WolverineWolverine
1. How old is Wolverine approximately?
2. Describe what he looks like – what does he wear etc.
3. Research and explain what Wolverine’s power is and how he
got it.
4. What are some of the things that Wolverine worries about?
Identify and explain an example from the film.
5. Who inspires and supports Wolverine? Give at least 2
examples and explain how.
6. Create a flow chart to describe Wolverine’s journey in the
film.
7. Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Wolverine
with another character.
Gathering
Processing
Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self

9. Characters: MagnetoCharacters: Magneto
 Locate 3-4 pictures of Magneto
and import into PicCollage.
 Around the outside, write down as
many adjectives as you can.
 For 3 of your adjectives, write
down a film technique that helps to
show this characteristic.
 For example: Evil. A close up
shows the expression on
Magneto’s face when he tells
Professor X to kill all humans.
Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Gathering
Processing

10. MagnetoMagneto
1. How old is Magneto approximately?
2. Describe what he looks like – what does he wear etc.
3. Research and explain what Magneto’s power is and how he
got it.
4. What are some of the things that Magneto thinks about?
Identify and explain an example from the film.
5. Explain how Magneto changes throughout the film. What
causes these changes?
6. Create a flow chart to describe Magneto’s journey in the film.
7. Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Magneto
with another character. Don’t compare with Wolverine if you
have already!
Gathering
Processing
Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self

11. Characters: Jean GreyCharacters: Jean Grey
 Locate 3-4 pictures of Jean Grey
and import into PicCollage.
 Around the outside, write down as
many adjectives as you can.
 For 3 of your adjectives, write
down a film technique that helps to
show this characteristic.
 For example: Unconfident. A close
shot shows the doubt on Jean’s
face as she tries to use her power.
Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Gathering
Processing

12. Jean GreyJean Grey
1. How old is Jean Grey approximately?
2. Describe what she looks like – what does he wear etc.
3. Research and explain how Jean Grey got her power.
4. What are some of the things that she thinks about? Identify
and explain an example from the film.
5. Explain how Jean Grey changes throughout the film. What
causes these changes?
6. Create a flow chart to describe her journey in the film.
7. Create a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Jean Grey
with another character.
Gathering
Processing
Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self

13. Important relationshipsImportant relationships
In pairs, complete the following:
1.List the important relationships in
the film.
2. Choose one and answer the
following:
Describe what kind of
relationship they have.
List 3 reasons why you believe it
was important.
For each reason, describe an
event in the film which supports
this reason.
Thinking
Relating to others
Using language, text and
symbols
Managing self
Participating and contributing
Gathering
Processing

14. Essay 1Essay 1
Using the information that you have gathered; choose one of the following
essay questions to answer:
1.Explain how film techniques have helped you to understand a main
character.
OR
2. Describe the relationship between 2 main characters and explain why it
was important.
Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Processing
Applying

15. Themes: Alienation from societyThemes: Alienation from society
The X men can be compared to
any group in society that feels
alienated such as the gay
community, religious groups and
those with a physical disability.
Magneto, the antagonist promotes
'mutant' pride and is very vocal
about this. Professor X would
rather see the Xmen living
peacefully alongside.
The film mostly promotes a
peaceful and non violent
integration like Martin Luther King
as opposed to the violence and
anger of the Black Panthers and
similar groups.Thinking
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Gathering

16. Themes:Themes: Alienation from societyAlienation from society
As a class, watch chapter and complete the chart:
Event How is alienation from society shown? Film technique
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
Thinking
Using language, text and
symbols
Managing self
Participating and contributing
Gathering
Processing

17. Themes: Alienation from societyThemes: Alienation from society
Complete a Venn diagram to compare and contrast Professor
X’s and Magneto’s attitudes towards the treatment of
mutants.
Thinking
Relating to others
Using language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Participating and
contributing
Gathering
Processing
Professor
X
Magneto

18. Themes: Uniqueness and IndividualityThemes: Uniqueness and Individuality
Some of the characters feel unconfident or frustrated about their power such
as Jean Grey who is unsure whether she can use her power and Rogue who
can't touch anyone. Pyro is angry about being a mutant and can't control his
gift. He goes over to the dark side and joins Magneto. Wolverine is unsure
who he is and where he is from and has identity issues. Nightcrawler has
spent his life in a circus being treated like a freak. His faith helps him to cope
with this.
In contrast, Storm and Cyclops are confident and proud of their powers and
are positive role models to the others. Iceman has accepted his uniqueness
and ‘comes out’ to his parents who find it hard to accept.
The film celebrates the uniqueness and individuality of its characters. The
director wants the viewer to realise that it is ok to be different and that
uniqueness should be seen as an asset not a liability. Most of the characters
show pride in who they are and value each other's individuality. He shows us
that when we are confident about who we are, others will celebrate our
uniqueness and individuality with us.

19. Themes: Uniqueness and IndividualityThemes: Uniqueness and Individuality
Gathering
Processing
Applying
Character Power & example Attitude to power Director’s
message

20. SymbolsSymbols
Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colours used to
represent abstract ideas or concepts.
The symbols we will look at are:
1. X
2. Phoenix
3. Cerebro

21. Symbols: XSymbols: X
A symbol used in this way is an identifier
of a political or religious ideology. For
example, Christians have the cross and
the Nazis used the swastika. It is a
statement of identity.
Professor X uses it to identify his group
of mutants. It unifies them and marks
them as students and followers of him.
Symbols can be used positively or
negatively. Gang patches are symbols
that have now been banned in NZ. This
is one way of eroding or negating a
groups identity.
Gathering

22. Symbols: The PhoenixSymbols: The Phoenix
In Greek mythology, a phoenix is a bird that is cyclically
regenerated or reborn. Associated with the sun, a
phoenix obtains new life by arising from the ashes of its
predecessor.
In X-men Jean Grey gives her life to save the others
and we see a phoenix rising after this. This symbolises
that she will be reborn as a stronger more powerful
mutant.
Gathering

23. Symbols: CerebroSymbols: Cerebro
 Cerebro is a device used to detect humans, specifically mutants. Using Cerebro
can be extremely dangerous, and telepaths without well-trained, disciplined minds
put themselves at great risk when attempting to use it. This is due to the psychic
feedback that users experience when operating Cerebro. As the device greatly
enhances natural psychic ability, users who are unprepared for this increased
psychic input can be quickly and easily overwhelmed, resulting in insanity, coma,
permanent brain damage or even death.
 Cerebro represents communication with everyone which can be used for good or
for evil. Professor X is fooled into using it to locate all the mutants so that Stryker
can kill them. Magneto helps him only to try and use it to kill all the humans.
 Cerebro is similar to the internet because the internet connects most of the worlds
population. It can be used for good such as campaigns to raise awareness or
fundraise for worthy causes. Or it can be used negatively to mobilise people for
unworthy campaigns.
Gathering

24. Use Phoster or PicCollage to create a poster which includes the
following:
A picture of each symbol
An explanation of why each symbol is used.
A description of where we see each symbol.
Identify the character(s) that you would associate with each
symbol.
Identify which theme you would associate with each symbol.
SymbolsSymbols
Thinking
Relating to others
Using language, text and
symbols
Managing self
Participating and contributing
Gathering
Processing

25. Essay 2Essay 2
Using the information that you have gathered; answer the
following essay question:
Identify a key theme in the text and explain how visual
and/or verbal techniques helped you understand the
theme.
Thinking
Using
language, text
and symbols
Managing self
Processing
Applying

26. BibliographyBibliography
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X2_(film)
Thanks to Lewis Bostock for ideas and discussion.