Action Adventure FilmsL/OTo understand aims of the unitTo begin to define the codes and conventions of the genre

Tuesday 18 April 2023

Unit 1 Assessment Objectives

•Media Knowledge and Understanding

•Research, Planning and Presentation

•Production and Evaluation

Key Concepts

Institution

Audience

Representation

You must use media Language

The Exam

•1 hour 30 mins

•You will have the preparation material 4 weeks before the exam

•It will be on Monday June 13th in the afternoon

•The tasks are unseen

•You must answer in role

•You must show you have production skills (storyboarding, scripting or producing promotional material

•There is no Higher or Foundation paper

•Each of the four tasks is marked equally

•You should spend about 20 mins on each task

•You should be creative in your responses (ie in the form of an email etc)

What are the differences between Action films and Action Adventure films?

We will read the article as a class and try and come up with a definition.

Tuesday 18 April 2023

Codes and Conventions

L/O

•To consolidate knowledge of codes and conventions of the Action Adventure genre•To analyse the opening of an archetypal text

Re-cap

How do we define action adventure?

What are the differences that each word represents?

A film that features set pieces

focusing on action (car chases, explosions, stunts) which follow an

adventure narrative (a hero undertaking a quest)

How many of these films have you seen?

In pairs, see if you can decide which are Action Adventure films.

Key Words

Genre

Stock locations

Stock characters

Set pieces

Stereotypes

Archetypes

Marketing

Franchise

Raiders of the Lost Ark (also known as Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark) is a 1981 American action adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg, produced by George Lucas, and starring Harrison Ford. It is the first film in the Indiana Jones franchise; and it pits Indiana Jones (Ford) against the Nazis, who search for the Ark of the Covenant, because Adolf Hitler believes it will make their army invincible.

The film co-starred Karen Allen as Indiana's former lover; Paul Freeman as Indiana's nemesis; John Rhys Davies as Indiana's sidekick; and Denholm Elliot as Indiana's colleague.

What should we be looking for in the opening 20 minutes?

•Evidence of action•Evidence of adventure•Camera angles•Editing•Music•Special effects•Stock characters/stereotyping•Stock locations/setting•Dialogue

How is Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark an archetypal Action Adventure film?

Pick one of the films that you have seen (or a film that you

think is Action Adventure but is not on the sheet)

In your books, list the key elements about the film that make it an Action Adventure film.

EG Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

•Hero – Indiana Jones is rebellious, brave•Quest to find treasure – as a archaeologist he has to find a powerful lost relic•Bad guys – foreign stereotypes•Action sequences and stunts – Lots of jumping from heights, fight scenes, explosions, chase sequences•Humour – often sarcastic wise cracks from the hero and visual comedy•Hero has romance and rescues girl – she needs his help and initially fights his advances

EXT what is the sub genre of your film?

Tuesday 18 April 2023

The History of Action Adventure Films

L/O

•To explore the roots of the genre•To investigate how the genre has developed

1. How did the genre start (HINT: research Action and Adventure an separate genres)

2. What are some famous titles from across the decades?

3. What are the most lucrative genres at the box office?

4. Who are some key action adventure stars?

5. What action adventure films are currently on release or in production?

Tuesday 18 April 2023

Understanding Narrative

L/O

•To explore narrative•To begin planning work

When you sit down to watch a film the narrative structure help defines the story. It needs to be structured to help the viewer understand the message contained within, giving the film meaning throughout. However you need to keep in mind that the narrative structure only applies to the way in which a story is told not the story itself.....meaning the narrative structure is the chronological stages or steps that progress from one to the other throughout the story.

The conventional narrative structure pointed

out by Tzvetan Todorov as a rule has five stages though this can be simply broken down to three stages, a beginning (state of equilibrium), middle (disruption to the equilibrium) and end (reinstate the equilibrium).

What do I mean by equilibrium? It’s simply just a state of balance, normality in which the characters find them selves at the beginning.

Narrative made easy

Stage 1A state of equilibrium is defined.

Stage 2Disruption to the equilibrium by some action or crisis.

Stage3The Character(s) recognition that there has been a disruption, setting goals to resolve problem.

Stage4 The Character(s) attempt to repair the disruption, obstacles need to be overcome to restore order.

Stage5Reinstatement to the equilibrium. Situation is resolved, a conclusion is announced.

Vladimir Propp’s seven spheres of action:

Hero: Individual(s) who's quest is to restore the equilibrium.

Villain: Individual(s) who's task is to disrupt the equilibrium.

Donor: Individual(s) who gives the hero(s) something, advice, information or an object.

Helper: Individual(s) who aids the hero(s) with their set task.

Princess (Prince): Individual(s) which need help, protecting and saving.

Dispatcher: Individual(s) who send the hero(s) on their quest.

False Hero: Individual(s) who set out to undermine the hero's quest by pretending to aid them. Often unmasked at the end of the film

Tuesday 18 April 2023

Indiana Jones as an Archetype

L/O

•To explore Raiders of the Lost Ark as an archetypal action adventure film

How is Raiders of the Lost Ark typical of the action adventure genre?

Tuesday 18 April 2023

Classifying Films

L/O

•To understand the function of the BBFC•To explore desirable classifications for Action Adventure films

What is the BBFC?A highly expert and experienced regulator of the moving image (especially film, video/DVD and video games), and also a service provider for new and developing media.

Why do we do what we do?The BBFC regulates not just as a statutory designated authority but also because we serve a socially useful function. Through the efficient classification of the moving image into advisory and age-related categories, the provision of consumer advice and the maintenance of our archive: we give the public information that empowers them to make appropriate viewing decisions for themselves and those in their care. We help to protect vulnerable viewers and society from the effects of viewing potentially harmful or unsuitable content while respecting adult freedom of choice. we provide media industries with the security and confidence of cost-effective, publicly trusted regulation and help to protect providers of moving image content from inadvertent breaches of UK law. we are able to assist Trading Standards officers in their enforcement role

How do we operate?We are open and accountable. As an independent, self-financing regulator, we are mindful of our unique position and proud of the trust that our expertise and integrity have built with the industry and public.We are passionate about the moving image and balance our duty to protect with a respect for the right to freedom of expression.We acknowledge and reflect the cultural diversity of the UK, and anticipate and embrace change.Throughout the BBFC, we value and respect the needs of stakeholders, promoting team work and long term commitment for all staff in an atmosphere of support and co-operation.

Summary

Renowned archaeologist and adventurer, Dr. Indiana Jones, is hired by the U.S. Government during World War II to find the mythical and sacred Ark of the Covenant. But he has competition in the shape of fiendish Nazi agents.

Extended Classification Information

Raiders Of The Lost Ark is an action adventure about an archaeologist on the hunt for the Ark of the Covenant. The film contains moderate violence. It also contains horror images and mild language. There are numerous moments of violence in the film. The fight sequences are all between people, though the historical setting does place the film at a distance. There are crunchy blows and some realistic weaponry, including knives and swords. The strongest moment occurs when a man is shot in the head - we see a clear blood spray. Brief bloody injury is seen in the aftermath of other fight sequences and there is a spray of blood onto an aeroplane wing after a man is decapitated off-screen by its propeller Moments of horror include decomposed bodies and skeletons appearing out of the dark and a man's back covered with spiders.

The language includes uses of 'bastard' and 'shit'.'PG' stands for Parental Guidance. A 'PG' film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether the content may upset younger or more sensitive children

Film poster analysis...

Look at the original poster for Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark

Annotate it focusing on the key concepts

•Audience•Institution•Representation

Logo of production company, director, producer etc.

Refers to history of “serials” and return to family big screen entertainment

Indiana Jones masculine and prominent - using whip (iconography)

Foreign stereotyping clearly evident in costume and facial expression

Muted/aged colours again refer to setting of the past and history of the genre

Villains surrounded by snakes = they have the same qualities

Has spirit of adventure and therefore appeals to a broad audience

Female shown as in peril and subordinate to Indy

Action suggested by use of weapons

Adventure suggested by scenes of peril

AudienceInstitutionRepresentation

In your groups, you must assign a role to each person…

Scriptwriter – write the script for a key scene

Promotions – Design a poster to advertise your film

Storyboard – a key scène featuring action set pieces

Press – write a transcript of an interview with the director for a radio show