Action Adventure Genre Conventions

Codes and Conventions of Action Adventure Films

Narrative

What makes all Action Adventure Films similar is that they use the same sort of narrative structure. The narrative structure is how a story is organised and shaped in terms of time and events. Think about the rules of narrative structure in Pirates of the Caribbean or Indiana Jones films.

• A defining feature of Action Adventure is the high degree of narrative closure, with all problems resolved and the hero triumphant.
• Linear structure from problem to crisis to resolution
• Oppositional structure as a fight between good and evil.

Task: Explain how one film of your choice follows this narrative structure.

Main Characters

Example of Captain Jack Sparrow (Main character from Pirates of the Caribbean)

Task: Find an image of a main character from an Action Adventure Film and copy it onto your page. Label the character with all of the rules of the hero.

Oppositional Characters

Action Adventure films tend to feature characters that play opposite the key central character, for example either in the form of a relationship (hero/heroine) or in conflict (hero/villain)
Task: Who is the oppositional character to your chosen main character? Add them to your notes.

Journey/Quest

Action Adventure films often involve central characters working towards a final goal (such as seeking treasure). These narratives take place against a backdrop of a variety of exotic and sometimes glamourous locations. These can range from desert landscapes to urban settings. Not only can their use provide the audience with visual pleasures, but the location itself can serve an important narrative function as central characters find themselves battling with the challenges presented by it. For example: surviving earthquakes, struggling through jungles or deserts or surviving in war zones.
Task: Find a variety of settings that are used in Action Adventure films and refer to these examples.

Magazine Research and Planning Task List

You need to complete the following (use Martha's work as a guide):

• general magazine x1
• specialist magazine x2
• genre conventions
• moodboard(s)
• magazine analysis (cover, contents, double page spread) x3
• colour palettes x6
• fonts (including descriptions) x8
• audience profile (male & female - as applicable)
• UK Tribes audience profile
• questionnaire and questionnaire feedback

Magazine Glossary

Masthead – The name and logo of the magazine.

The Lead – the introductory paragraph of an article. Usually written in bold or capitals.

Body copy - refers to the text of your written articles, which should be produced as a printed presentation to accepted industry standards, e.g. correct use of language, font size, word limits etc. Usually written in columns.

Serif font – fonts like Times New Roman, or Baskerville Old Face, which have little bars (serifs) on the end of the letters.

Sans serif font – fonts like Impact, or Agency FB, which do not have little bars (serifs) on the end of the letters.

Drop Capitals – Really big letter, which start off an article.

Cross Head – Small sub-heading used to split up a large block of text.

White Space – white parts of a page other than text or pictures.

Mode Of Address – How the magazine talks to the audience.

Sell Lines – Text on the cover that helps to sell the magazine to the audience. Kerrang!’s sell line is “life is loud”.

Banners – text, which stands out because its on a coloured background.

House Style – a magazines distinctive design that distinguishes it from its competitors.

Borders – the gaps at the edges of the page.

Gutters – the gaps between the columns of text.

Leading - the space between lines of text.

Kerning - the space between letters.

Strap Lines – a smaller headline, printed above the main headline.

By-lines - name of the person who wrote the article. Picture Credits - where did the photos come from, or who took them.

Anchorage – The way in which text helps to pin down the meaning of a picture and visa versa.

Magazine - Research and Planning Task

Genre choices are:

• music 
• fashion
• sport

Today's work:

1. Decide on your genre
2. Research magazine titles within that genre. Make a list of existing titles. Remember, you can use some of the research you completed before the summer break. Simply add to this piece of work and present your ideas using your chosen software.
3. Collect images of as many different covers as you can. Group by title e.g. Vogue, Wonderland, iD (all fashion titles).
4. You may look at magazines across the international market, but be aware that they are not produced in the UK.

Unit B324: Production Portfolio in Media Studies

Unit B324: Production Portfolio in Media Studies

This is a controlled assessment unit, 25-30 hours, internally assessed and externally moderated.

120 marks, 30% of the total GCSE marks

Candidates can either work individually or in groups to produce a major practical production from

a selection of set briefs. 

Within this, each individual produces their own evidence of research and

planning alongside an individual evaluation of their finished product.

The Production Portfolio offers candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their skills in research, planning, production and evaluation and their understanding of the following media key concepts:

• audience
• institutions
• media language
• genre.

The brief:

An extract from a new magazine aimed at a specific audience, to include the front cover, contents page and a double-page spread article, using some original photography.

• If candidates are working in a group, each group member must produce at least one double-page spread article.

Exam Paper January 2013 (Hancock)

OCR Exam Paper (Jan 2013) Unit b322 01 Textual Analysis and Media Studies Topic Moving Image

Compare how teenagers are represented in Action Adventure films: Hunger Games and The Amazing Spiderman

Writing the Comparative Analysis Essay

Essay Writing Frame: Media GCSE

Compare how teenagers are represented in action/fantasy film.

800-1500 words

Introduction: Knowledge and understanding of the texts studied Name the two films Explain the conventions of the film genre (using media terminology) Explore how the two films meet these conventions

Analysis and Interpretation of the texts/ Representation Explain the film’s key message and structure Highlight its Unique Selling Point Identify the Target Audience and why the characters would appeal to that audience – comment on aspiration and representation

Representation of social and cultural message and values/ Media Language Highlight the social and cultural message behind the film Discuss why this message would impact on the Target Audience

Media Language/ Codes and Conventions Close film analysis of a key scene from the film Comment on the effect on camera shots/ camera movements/ sound/ mise en scene

Conclusion Comparison of how the characters are represented to link to essay title

Exam Paper June 2012 (The Hurt Locker)

OCR Exam Paper (2012 HURT LOCKER) Unit b322 01 Textual Analysis and Media Studies Topic Moving Image

Exam Paper Jan 2012 (Hancock)

OCR Exam Paper (Jan 2013) Unit b322 01 Textual Analysis and Media Studies Topic Moving Image

Y10 Film Poster Audience Appeal

Film Poster for Avengers Age of Ultron

The marketing campaign for Avengers Age of Ultron involves a range of film posters to build up interest in the film. This happens in the build up to the film's release to ensure audience figures are vast so that the film makes a profit through box office sales.
You can see that the different posters are released to create excitement and interest in the film. They are designed to appeal to different audiences and drip feed information about the film in the approach to it being released to cinema audiences.
Posters are released in a certain order, usually the teaser posters are followed by official film posters and posters that will appeal to different groups of audiences. You can identify the different posters by the conventions used.
A teaser poster will rely on the key image, title and logos. It can be landscape rather than portrait to give the widescreen effect often seen on the cinema screen. Teasers tend to have limited information about the film.

Teaser Posters are released to generate interest in the film.

The film posters gradually introduce more information, until the final poster which includes all of the conventions. This is released closer to the film's release date. There are also posters which suggest the film could appeal to a range of audiences.

Look at these posters, especially the key image. Who do you think they are designed to appeal to?

Tasks: 

Create a version of your film poster to appeal to an alternative target audience. What changes do you need to make to your original first draft poster?

Create a teaser poster for your film idea. What conventions do you need to alter?

Deadline: The first drafts of this work need to be handed in on Wednesday 25th March in the lesson.

Year 10 Film Pitch

Film Idea

Task: Create your idea for your potential, original film. It needs to be an Action Adventure film that will appeal to a teenage target audience (male or female). You need to pitch your film idea thinking about the following ideas:

• Title
• Main Characters and why they would appeal
• Outline of the plot
• Unique Selling Point - what makes your idea stand out?

Add your idea to your images from last lesson and try to present it as a real pitch. Here are some examples...

Questions you should ask yourself:

• Is there a clear sense of narrative structure about your plot (beginning, middle and end)?
• Have you included detailed ideas about the main character(s)?
• Are there suggestions as to who could play the main characters?
• Is the film's genre clear - does it follow the conventions of Action Adventure?
• Are there references to other films?
• Is the overall concept clear?

Year 11: Q1 Example Answer

The narrative in the extract fits the action adventure genre in various ways. There is a battle between the good and evil which is conventional of the genre, the protagonist (Nic) is shown as confident and able to fight because it’s almost like a one-man army. He is up against more ‘villains’ which makes him outnumbered as they have more weapons too, which again is conventional of action adventure, because it emphasizes his victory (or defeat) in the end.


Another way the extract fits the genre of action adventure is making Nic, the protagonist, independent and confident. The fact that the protagonist is chewing gum in the close-up at the beginning ‘shows’ his confident attitude as if he wasn’t expecting a difficult battle but has come prepared with weapons/objects and team.

Year11: Q2 Example Answer

Soundtrack
The soundtrack is notably used to create effects for the audience which fit the genre. For example, the introduction of Nic Angel is combined with a majestic soundtrack which emulates the hero’s power and status. This is regularly used in the genre to emphasize the power of the protagonist to the audience. The soundtrack also crescendoes, which aims to create tension which will be subverted by the inevitable convergence of characters. Western sounds are also used to create the effect of hybridizing comedy with action as the audience recognizes the cliché. In addition, it also serves to imply there is an upcoming fight scene where the characters will ‘draw’ weapons, reminiscent of Western films. The soundtrack also abruptly stops to mimic the surprise of the audience at Butterman helping Nic Angel.
 Editing

Editing is also utilized in different manners to create effects which help to heighten the action. For example, editing is  very slow-paced at first to create a tense atmosphere which again hints at an upcoming convergence. The editing then speeds up, and cross-cutting is used frequently to help to bring together the characters in an imminent fight-scene, and the fast editing builds-up to the action, heightening tension. The cross cuts then start to match the soundtrack to emphasize tension, and the cut pace is momentarily slowed down when Nic delivers the line ‘Morning’ before speeding up again. During the fight shot-reverse-shot editing is used to show the conflicting emotions of antagonist and protagonists, and discontinuous editing is used to mimic the chaos of the situation.

Mise-en-scène
Mise-en-scène is predominantly utilised at the start of the extract, with Nic on a horse to make him higher-up, to the effect of conveying his power and presence. In addition, Nic features a distinctive costume, to further isolate him from the antagonists and make him stand-out to the audience. The conventional set-design of English suburbia creates the effect of comedy when the tranquility is displaced for action, as it is unexpected to the audience. The props also mainly consist of weapons, providing a catalyst for action, which also creates comedy by satinsing the genre through having excessive amounts of weapons. Lighting is natural simply to create the effect of realism in the town.


Camerawork

Camera devices are extensively used to connote ideals and create effects. For example, a high-angle shot is used on the school children to show their obedience and Nic’s power over them. In addition, many mid-shots and close-up shots are utilised before the action to portray the characters’ fear. An establishing shot is also utilised near the start to depict the quiet suburbia, which is then displaced when the action begins. During the conflict, a handheld camera is employed when the glass window breaks to mimic the chaos and disorientation the fighting creates. In addition a focus pull is used to bring the armed old lady into focus, and similarly the camera zooms in to the sidekick near the start, both the establish the character importance.

Year 11: Q3 Example Answer

Throughout the extract, characters are portrayed stereotypically and atypically to connote and celebrate different values and ideals. For instance, the representation of age is predominantly unconventional, as it doesn’t follow the stereotype of older people being weaker and calmer. This is shown through the elderly women with a machine gun, who is represented as a powerful, and a threat to Nic. Similarly, most of the adults fighting Nic are fairly old, and so their uncharacteristic representation of using extensive violence perhaps celebrates older people, but also creates humour as there counter hegemonical role is unexpected. The only main stereotype of age is the hero being fairly young.


Gender is also mainly utilised counter-stereotypically, as the genre stereotype of women is to be weaker and less violent and less powerful than men, however, the female antagonists the same violence and power as the male ones, therefore celebrating and connoting gender equality. The fact that women are equal to men also make the hero’s role harder and so his success even more impressive. Again, the only stereotypical representation of gender lies in the hero – he is male, strong and dominant – which are dominant features.

Race and Nationality are not represented prominently – except for the fact that it is an all-white cast, and this representation is stereotypical to the setting of a rural English town. In addition the hero is English, which therefore is patriotic in celebrating England – the country in which the film was produced. The town is similarly stereotypical as it is quintessentially English – pubs, schools and bunting – and the stereotype of the ‘stiff upper lip’ is represented through the antagonists’ serious emotions and nuances such as the ‘one school child’ sign. Finally, the police are mainly represented counter-stereotypically – although Danny Butterman at first fits the lazy, sluggish stereotype – this is subverted by the counter stereotype of him and Nic being powerful and successful in the conflict. This is suprising to the audience and hybridizes action with comedy. The sidekick is also stereotypically portrayed through his overweight build, making him more endearing and vulnerable for the audience. Similarly, the hero is stereotypically represented as powerful, male, calm and violent – thus fulfilling the expectations of the target audience.

Representation - Edge of Tomorrow

Q 1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre. 

Use examples from the extract. [10 marks]

Layout as follows:

Explanation 1...

Explanation 2...

Q 3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the extract. 

Refer to stereotypes in your answer. 

Use examples from the extract. [20 marks]

Year 11 Edge of Tomorrow Clip: Getting off the Beach

Year 11 Edge of Tomorrow Trailer

Year 11 Edge of Tomorrow Characters

• Tom Cruise as Major William Cage
• Emily Blunt as Sergeant Rita Vrataski
• Bill Paxton as Master Sergeant Farell
• Brendan Gleeson as General Brigham
• Kick Gurry as Griff
• Dragomir Mrsic as Kuntz
• Charlotte Riley as Nance
• Jonas Armstrong as Skinner
• Franz Drameh as Ford
• Masayoshi Haneda as Takeda
• Tony Way as Kimmel
• Noah Taylor as Dr. Carter

Year 11 Action Adventure Representation Task

Make notes on the representation of the main characters from Edge of Tomorrow using the following headings:

1. costume
2. hair
3. make up
4. props i.e.: gadgets, weapons, vehicles etc 
5. settings

Are the representations of the female and male characters stereotypical of action adventure movies? Make sure you explain your answer. Use the notes you made under the above headings to help you.

Exam Paper June 2012 (Hurt Locker)

OCR Exam Paper (2012 HURT LOCKER) Unit b322 01 Textual Analysis and Media Studies Topic Moving Image