Genre Research - Action

Objective: Explore a genre by identifying and analyzing how genre characteristics engage the target audience. 

Exploring the Action Genre 

The Action genre is one of the most popular's genre if not the most popular. Famous Directors like James Cameron, Michael Bay, and Christopher Nolan all use different techniques to make movies thrilling and exciting. Their movies like to keep people wanting to see what is going to happen next, making sure that each scene is created carefully to ensure that it leaves the viewer wanting more. Action films are popular in all ages but especially in young adults, ages 15 - 35. An example of a big Action movie is "Avengers: Endgame", directed by the Russo brothers which made over 2.798 Billion dollars worldwide becoming a huge hit. With all the intense battles and high stakes, it made the movie a favorite for almost everyone. This movie shows how action films connect with their viewers using epic fights and special effects that enhance the movie. 

Genre Conventions: What in an Action Movie 

In almost all action movies there is usually a hero (The Main Character) or a team of heroes who have to fight against someone or have an issue to resolve. The story of the movie could include it being about revenge, justice, or trying to rescue someone who could be in trouble. The Hero's Traits are Brave, Strong having no fear and never wanting to give up until the goal is achieved. Usually, the movie will include pure action scenes, like chases, fights, and cool stunts that look complex or hard to do to give the Hero or Villain more detail about the character. An example of this could be in "The Fall Guy", where the main character is a stuntman who uses his acting skills to get through complex situations to solve a problem. 

Genre Conventions - How They Make Action Movies 

When making an Action Movie it is all about the experience that the viewer gets, making it thrilling and exciting and wanting them to wait for more and more to come. Since these movies use a lot of intense scenes that would cost a lot of money to actually create they use CGI, practical effects, and a lot of camera angles to simulate as if it were all happening at a time to make a shot look more intense. In "John Wick" for example, the fighting choreography is designed so that the viewer can see all the moves done by the "Hero" which makes it more entertaining to watch.

Institutional Conventions - How Action Movies are Marketed 

Action movies are advertised to show how entertaining the movie will be, trailers are like a sneak peek as to what type of film they will be watching if they choose to watch that movie. These previews are usually packed with explosive scenes, close calls, and characters doing incredible stunts which attracts viewers more if they prefer an action-themed movie. Using social media and at some points even using video games to also advertise these films to attract fans from different places. An example of this is "Fast & Furious", their trailers have shown characters returning that were thought to be dead or something important that was believed to be lost or a reason to have another movie, at the same time attracting new and old fans. 

Film Sample #1 – The Fall Guy (2024 Film) 

The Fall Guy is about Colt Seavers, a Hollywood stuntman who catches criminals and solves problems using his amazing stunts. The movie mixes action and adventure, showing how heroes use special skills to survive tough situations. It shows The Fall Guy having awesome stunts and effects, capturing the thrill of being a real stuntman. 

 Film Sample - The Fall Guy

Film Sample #2 – The Dark Knight (2008) 

The Dark Knight, directed by Christopher Nolan, is an iconic Action movie with Batman fighting the Joker in Gotham City. It has intense battles, dramatic chases, and lots of exciting moments. Nolan used practical effects, like flipping a truck and building explosions, to make it feel real. Batman’s struggle with the Joker shows themes of justice and sacrifice, making it a powerful Action movie with a big emotional impact. 

Film Sample - The Dark Knight 

More Cool Action Movies to Watch: 

• Transformers (2007) 
  
  
  
• Pacific Rim (2013) 
  
  
  
• Jurassic World (2015) 
  
  
  
• Fast & Furious 7 (2015) 
  
  
  
• John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum (2019) 
  
  
  
• Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018) 
  
  
  

Representation Patterns

I choose to do Star Wars, specifically on the characters Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader.

    Luke Skywalker: 

• Luke is a boy from Tatooine, who rises to become a Jedi Knight who chooses to fight the evil in the galaxy. His character shows the class character growth as he goes through struggle and then redemption. He goes from being innocent to gaining experience from all the battles, losses, and wins and the discovery of the strength in him. A lot of people can relate to him as he mirrors the typical hero who goes on a journey.

                                  

    Darth Vader: 

• Before he became Darth Vader he was Anakin Skywalker and is one of the most complex characters throughout Star Wars. He goes from being a Jedi Knight to becoming a Sith Lord and one of the most feared in the universe. His character explores the darker aspects of wanting to have more power and ambition for more and more, which shows how a Hero can become a villain. He eventually falls and sees that there is even a slight possibility of finding light even in the darkest of times. 

Representation and Impact:

• The interactions between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader show the forever struggle between good and evil. Luke shows that he searches for Identity, while Vader shows the need for wanting more power, and corruption. This reflects the Greater Theme of Star Wars which is the fight against oppression and the importance of personal choice. The use of both of these characters shows the themes of heroism, transformation, and redemption, making them icons throughout the Star Wars Universe.

Sound Project

We were assigned a Project in which we had to tell a Story using only sound effects and other auditory techniques. These were the instructions:

1.  Brainstorm 1-2 minute, school-appropriate scenes.  This scene should be comprised of action that would occur in a literal 1-2 minute timespan.  What sounds are present within these scenes. Could you convey the plot of the scenes only using sound?  Complete the brainstorming sheet. 
• Scene ideas that are not available: getting ready for school/work, cooking, robbery 
2. Choose the scene that you would like to develop for your project. Create a detailed outline that explains the sounds that will be used to build a realistic representation of your narrative.  You may only use seven words during the scene. Submit this outline to the Canvas assignment titled "Soundscape Planning Outline." 
3. With the aid of online sound effects databases and everyday items, you will create an audio recording that conveys the story of the scene.  No video is allowed. Please use just a black screen or one still shot on your video line.  Your scene must be at least one minute in length but may not exceed two minutes. 
4. At least four of the sound effects utilized must be created by using random objects (cannot use digitized versions of the audio or sounds made with mouth) on a “foley stage.”  Please video the process of creating these four sounds and edit them together into one cohesive video file.  

A Foley sound is a custom-made sound effect that is recorded in a studio during post-production to enhance the audio quality of a film, TV show, or video game.

Since we are doing this close to Halloween, my partner and I wanted to make something that would fit the Halloween theme. We ended up choosing to develop a theme about a little child who visits a circus and an attack by clowns with chainsaws happens. It then expresses the child's encounter with the clown, when things go wrong but the child escapes alive. 

We also chose to use Adobe Premiere as it was a software we were both familiar with as We had both used it in previous projects. When combining both sections of the Project it was simpler than it would have been to use 2 different software.

We used the following Soundscape Planning Outline: Sound Project Outline

We used 4 Different Home-Made Foley Sounds: Foley Sounds

Our Project: Sound Project