Tuesday, 24 February 2009

G321 Generic Conventions Of Action Films

Bourne Ultimatum:The opening scene contains shaky camera movements to give the impression that someone is following the main character. Long-shot’s and close-up’s are used frequently, long-shots are used to set the scene and show us what is going on in the background, whereas close-up’s are there to show the audience details and emphasises the facial expression of the character. There are also many over the shoulder-shots, used to place the audience into the story and is intended to show the action from the point of view of a particular character. Another shot used is the 180 degree rule, which is used to show the point of view from two characters.

Pirates of the Caribbean 3:The scene open’s with many close-up shot’s, firstly of a noose, then of the flag and then of prisoner’s feet in chains. This draw’s the audience in to those particular details and shows us that they are important in the scene. This is followed by a panning shot of the line of prisoners about to be hanged. There are many medium-long shot’s to show the large group of people, this doesn’t reveal much facial expression, but body language and relation to other characters and setting is clear. Close-up shots of various characters are used throughout to show facial expression. The scene then slowly zooms in to a mid-close up of a young boy, about to be hanged. There are mostly long shot’s and mid-close-up’s used in this opening scene.

The Dark Knight:The scene starts with a long shot, zooming in to a window of a building, where there is a small explosion of glass. Then switches to a mid close up and a high angle shot of one of the characters.There is then a medium shot showing a man from behind holding a mask. An extreme long shot is used to show distance and the vastness of buildings. It is effective at creating the image that people are insignificant when compared to the background.Over the shoulder shot is used to draw the audience into the story and make it seem like you are behind the character, watching them.

Sin City:Starts with a long shot of a woman walking to the edge of her balcony, and looking over the city. Long shot’s are commonly used as an establishing shot at the beginning of a scene; this creates a sense of time, place and atmosphere. Then we see a 2-person shot, with a man walking towards her from behind. When she turns around, there is an over the shoulder shot which has the effect of placing the audience in the film. There is a Close-up shot of cigarettes as she takes one from him and then we have an example of the 180 degree rule. The film shows over-the shoulder shots of both characters, often used in dialogue sequences. We see another Close-up shot of the woman, which shows the audience facial detail and reactions. There is then a very slow zoom in of a 2-shot, which creates suspense. After he shoots her, there is a very high angle shot, which emphasizes distance from the ground and makes her seem vulnerable.

Hancock:Shaky camera shots of a car chase and helicopters, gives the impression that the audience are also in the story. There is a long panning shot of the main character sleeping. Then the film switches to an over the shoulder shot of the characters involved in the car chase, which is intended to show the action from the perspective of a particular character. Varieties of medium shots and mid close-ups are mainly used to focus on the main character. They used a high angle shot to show the main character lifting off the ground and flying upwards towards the camera, this emphasises distance from the ground. Then many panning shots are used to show the character flying from behind and in front, the camera is also shaky which gives the feeling that the audience is flying behind him.

The generic conventions of action film openings all show something significant happening within the first five minutes of the film. For example, Pirates of the Caribbean contains hangings of many people and Sin City shows a woman being shot. One of the main shot’s used on all five of these films is over the shoulder shots, this is used to draw the audience into the situation and create more suspense in the scene. Mainly, the shot’s cut very quickly from one to another; this helps to create the feeling of danger and fast-paced action. All action films contain fights, shootouts, stunts, car chases or explosions, which are traditionally aimed more at males than females. In all of the action film openings I looked at, men are the ones involved in the violence and carrying the weapons. Computer graphics are often used to make stunts less dangerous and allow swifter movement by actors, as well as more realistic looking fighting. Action films always contain many people dying or being injured and usually have a main character that is featured as the hero.

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