Genre Research- Action

 

How is Action so Intense?

The action genre has established itself as one of the most globally popular and commercially successful film genres. Directors like James Cameron, Christopher Nolan, are known for consistently delivering high-stakes, high-energy films that captivate audiences around the world. The action genre is especially popular with young to middle-aged adults (ages 15-40), appealing to those looking for thrill, excitement, and larger-than-life experiences. With diverse subgenres like superhero, spy, and war films, action films provide something for various age groups and interests. A notable example is Avengers: Endgame, which grossed over $2.798 billion and became a cultural phenomenon across all age demographics.

Genre Conventions – Content: Action films are characterized by their intense pacing and physical conflict: High-stakes plots that revolve around battles, chases, and challenges against formidable enemies or obstacles. Protagonists who are often heroes or anti-heroes skilled in combat or physical endurance, going up against villains or impossible odds. Themes like courage, survival, and justice.Settings are varied, from urban landscapes to exotic locations, often with international or even galactic stakes.

Genre Conventions – Production Techniques: The action genre relies heavily on specific production techniques to immerse viewers in adrenaline-fueled scenarios: Cinematography often includes fast camera movements, shaky handheld shots, and sweeping wide shots to capture explosions and stunts. Editing is quick, with rapid cuts to convey pace and urgency, especially during chase or fight sequences. Sound design uses exaggerated sounds—gunfire, explosions, engines—to heighten intensity, along with music that drives momentum. Visual effects (VFX) play a crucial role, especially in superhero and science fiction action films, bringing impossible feats to life. Institutional Conventions – Marketing: Marketing campaigns for action films focus on their thrilling aspects: Trailers showcase key action sequences, explosions, and stunts, often with short teasers released to build hype posters feature the protagonist in a powerful stance or dramatic action scene, highlighting their heroic attributes, cross-promotions with brands are common, particularly for superhero and franchise films, often through tie-in merchandise, release dates are often planned for summer or holiday seasons to maximize audience reach.

Film Sample #1: Mad Max: Fury Road (2015) This film exemplifies the action genre through its relentless pace and visual spectacle. The plot centers around a high-speed, chaotic chase through a post-apocalyptic desert, with characters battling for survival. Mad Max: Fury Road employs extreme close-ups, quick cuts, and vibrant color grading to convey the high-stakes and harsh environment. The sound design is visceral, from roaring engines to explosions, creating a sense of constant danger. Marketing emphasized the practical stunts and revolutionary action choreography, positioning it as a high-intensity visual experience.

Film Sample #2: John Wick (2014) John Wick is an action-packed film that blends stylized violence with a compelling revenge narrative. The content revolves around a retired hitman avenging his dog’s death, with themes of vengeance and honor. Production techniques include clean, precise fight choreography, long takes for extended fight scenes, and dim, neon-lit color schemes that give the film a gritty, noir tone. The film’s marketing focused on its unique combat style, with trailers emphasizing Keanu Reeves’ realistic, intense fight scenes, setting John Wick apart from typical action films.

List of Other Film Examples in the Genre:

1. Die Hard (1988)
2. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991)
3. The Matrix (1999)
4. The Dark Knight (2008)
5. Skyfall (2012)
6. Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
7. Mission: Impossible – Fallout (2018)

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Representation

The movie I picked was: Toy Story because its was one of my favorite movies when i was little. For me it was more than just an animated movie about toys coming to life.

Analyzing this movie brought me to the understanding that it is about a complicated discussion of one's own worth and identity that is presented via the different paths of Woody and Buzz Lightyear, two of the main characters. In the beginning, Andy's favorite toy and group leader is Woody, the loved cowboy doll. This position is crucial to his identity, and it threatens when Buzz, a bright space ranger, shows around. Woody's fear of being replaced is a reflection of his fundamental concerns about being forgotten, a struggle that anyone enduring change or competition can relate to. 

 Meanwhile, Buzz Lightyear stands in for a character who, at first, is mistaken for a true space hero and thinks he's more than simply a toy.  His path is about becoming self-aware, coming to terms with his situation, and realizing the value of being part of Andy's toy community. This change rejects the idea that value comes from extravagance or tangible achievements, demonstrating that what matters most is being loved and a part of other people's lives.  

 Through Woody and Buzz’s evolving friendship, Toy Story conveys themes of cooperation, personal growth, and the acceptance of change. Their relationship moves from rivalry to mutual respect, offering a deeper message that value isn’t about status or power, but about belonging and supporting those around you. 

scene from the movie (related to paragraph 4) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gaPVsiNQ3tQ

 

Sound Project

During the sound lesson, we explored how sound influences storytelling in media. We learned about the different types of sound: diegetic (sound coming from the world of the story) and non-diegetic (such as background music or voiceovers). The assigned videos showcased examples of how sound can manipulate emotions and set the mood. We also learned about sound layering and how it helps in building a more immersive experience.

 This assignment is all about learning how to tell a story using only sound. The goal was to tell the story using just sound effects, with only seven spoken words allowed. We needed to create at least four sound effects on our own using everyday objects (foley sounds).  We needed to turn in the finished project a video of the foley sound creation, and some pictures of your editing timeline. 

To start, I thought about the story I wanted to tell and how sound could enhance an impact . I decided to focus on simple sounds and brainstormed which sounds would be essential to give hints about the place that it was being filmed. After that, I gathered sound effects, ambient noises, and sound recordings making sure they aligned with the project’s mood and structure. 

During brainstorming, I focused on the theme and emotional tone I wanted to convey. I created a list of key sound elements, including footsteps, people laughing, distant chatter, plates clinking, etc. Which I thought could contribute to setting the scene. I also mapped out how each sound would appear in different scenes, helping me stay organized during recording. 

My outline was crucial in helping me structure the flow of the project. I broke down the story into distinct parts, identifying the key sounds that would be used in each section. This helped me avoid confusion during editing and ensured that the audio had a logical progression, with each sound serving a purpose. 

What we did well: 

• The layering of different sounds  

• Timing was well-executed, allowing the story to flow naturally without any abrupt shifts/sounds.

What I’d like to improve: 

• I could have refined some sounds to be smoother. 

• Next time, I’d like to experiment more with creative sound manipulation techniques to enhance the storytelling. 

  
  

  The sound lesson and project gave me a new appreciation for how crucial sound can be in storytelling. This project challenged me to think beyond visuals.

  Link:MontanariMoro_soundscape_per7