Conventions of the 'Action' Genre
- The lighting can sometimes be quite dark. This is due to the fact that it casts dark shadows on people (usually the bad guy) which suggests that they are suspicious as the audience cannot see all of their features.
- Many scenes of action films are shot in the daytime with natural lighting as otherwise the genre can become confused with that of a horror or a thriller. By shooting in daylight, the audience are able to see things more clearly and it makes it more realistic as not all action sequences would only take place in the evening.
- The camera usually follows the action so that the audience can see everything that is happening. As a result the viewer is drawn in to what is going on and it is as if they are really there watching it unfold in front of them rather than on a screen.
- The camera usually stays close to the action so that the audience can see the reactions of the character as the events are unfolding. Long shots are usually only used to show the action unfolding in relation to its surrounding and if the shot needs to show two objects in relation to each other. Consequently, the audience is more involved in the action rather that being removed from it in longer shots.
- The mise-en-scene elements are very important. For example props, such as guns and other weapons, are significant in an action film and are largely what gives a film this ‘action’ genre. They are always used to aid the storyline/plot and this is what the target audience is attracted to. The target audience find this one of the most appealing factors because it is an adrenaline rush which an average person does not get from their own lives.
- Other mise-en-scene elements, such as costumes, are also very important as they can establish certain aspects of the characters personality or identity. Traditional action heroes, such as James Bond, wear very stylish clothes which hint that the character is very cool and stylish. If this is a male action hero then this attracts a female audience and vice-versa for a female hero. This is due to the fact that the characters are presented as being very desirable through the help of mise-en-scene. Therefore the target audience is attracted as the characters are shown as very attractive and one of a kind.
- The sound is essential for establishing the genre of an action film. Music is fact paced during chase or fight sequences yet this can be mixed with suspenseful music so that the audience is engrossed in the film. The music is not as intense of that of a horror film because the action should not be as sinister. The music aids the intensity of the scenes and highlights key points of action in the film which is what the ‘adrenaline-junkie’ audience crave.
- Sound effects are just as important. Explosions, gunshots and crashes are usually emphasised which in turn emphasises the greatness of the action that is unfolding. The target audience of mainly males are attracted to these loud and extravagant scenes as it is (stereotypically) what this testosterone-fuelled gender enjoys.
- An action film is composed of a mixture of action sequences and dialogue. The action pieces are usually made up of short shots that are edited together using fast and hard cuts. This therefore gives the audience a range of shots, angles and distances to view the action from as well as encouraging their pulse to get faster- like the speed of the editing.
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