GENRE RESEARCH

Vanessa Florant

Chosen genre: Action

Q) Why did we adhere to the action genre?

A) As a group our first instinct was to make our

opening sequence distinctive in comparison to

various opening sequences that we have seen

from other candidates in previous years. Hence,

before choosing this genre we carried out a lot of

primary research via Youtube and Google so that

we were aware of what type of sequences have

been produced. It was evident that the action

genre was not as popular as comedy or thriller.

We used our research as a stepping stone to try

and think of a simple yet intriguing idea. In

addition to this, we are dedicated and determined

individuals and we believe that we could replicate

the codes and conventions found in the action

genre within our piece efficiently.

Action: Codes and

Conventions

Codes:

System of signs which form a denotation

• Technical Codes: Equipment/props used to illustrate the

narrative e.g. Fast pace editing shows urgency or danger.

• Symbolic codes: Demonstrate a deeper connotation than

what is initially apparent e.g. Somebody’s actions may

demonstrate how they feel.

Conventions:

Elements that you expect/typically see. E.g. High tempo

music is expected within an action movie.

Action Films generically ..

1. Show a hero or group of heroes stumble into a range of

challenges against antagonists or life-threatening

situations in order to complete an objective. This

usually includes violence, car chases, extended fight

scenes, frantic chases and special effects such as

explosions created using CGI and 3D.

2. Cast an attractive, heterosexual, young and physically

fit male as the protagonist to imply to the audience

that he could be victorious by the end of the narrative.

3. Are high budget, because the costs to create

verisimilitude for the audience through car chases for

example, will need high technology equipment. For

example The budget for Fast and Furious 6 is $160

million because it included explosions and multiple car

chase scenes.

Development of the Action

genre

Year the action movie was produced Conventions within the action movie at the time

1920’s-1930’s“Swashbuckling films”

Sword fighting, courageous heroes “Swashbucklers”, often set in Western Europe, involve a damsel in distress and an attractive female, explores real historical events such as the slave trade.

1940’s-1950’s Narrative involved war and cowboy films.

1960’s The James bond series dominated the action genre in this time period. It involved car chases, fist fights, high technology gadgets and car chases.

1970’s The new “action style” was a mix of detective stories and urban crime dramas. Martial-arts now became apparent in action movies. For example martial –arts was included in Enter The Dragon starring Bruce Lee. Swearing, adult scenes and violence were less restricted.

1980’S. “The action era”

Action films became dominant in Hollywood as there was more freedom to include violent scenes etc. These films were dominated by actors such as Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis.

1990’s Films included CGI to create verisimilitude. Budgetsfor films were higher because of this as Directors wanted to reduce competition by making their film the most exciting and visually impressive.

2000’s CGI and 3D is commonly used whilst 4D is also available. Action movies now can include all of the above from previous areas using CGI and 3D to capture the audiences attention.

Top 10 Action movies of all

time

Website used:

http://uk.ign.com/articles/201

2/01/10/the-top-25-action-

movies?page=1

1) Die Hard (1998) 2) Raiders of the lost

ark (1981)

3)Aliens (1986) 4) Mad Max 2: The

Road Warrior (1981)

10) Enter the Dragon

(1973)

5) Terminator 2:

Judgement Day

(1991)

6) The Matrix (1999)7) Lethal Weapon

(1987)

8) Robocop (1987)

9) Bourne Ultimatum

(2007)