Friday 20th June Room 213
Please bring your pre-liminary material with you and research you have carried out.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
BBFC - Institutions
Make sure that you explore this website and know what the BBFC do. Make sure that you know what each certificate means.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Ms McLeod's e-mail address should you have any questions about the exam...
bishopmediahelp@gmail.com
What's the difference between Action and Adventure?
Adventure Films are exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales. Adventure films are very similar to the action film genre, in that they are designed to provide an action-filled, energetic experience for the film viewer. Rather than the predominant emphasis on violence and fighting that is found in action films, however, the viewer of adventure films can live vicariously through the travels, conquests, explorations, creation of empires, struggles and situations that confront the main characters, actual historical figures or protagonists.
Exam Preparation Question
Why are Action/Adventure movies so popular with audiences and institutions?
REPRESENTATION
A route into representation is through exploring gender representations. You should be able to discuss the function of stereotypes in a narrative and by looking at the role of heroes and heroines will be able to think about the extent to which these types of characters conform to a particular set of characteristics.
This is also true for other types of characters that appear in Action Adventure films such as the villain. In exploring character stereotypes students should be encouraged to consider if types of people are misrepresented and if
so does this limit the appeal of a film?
This is also true for other types of characters that appear in Action Adventure films such as the villain. In exploring character stereotypes students should be encouraged to consider if types of people are misrepresented and if
so does this limit the appeal of a film?
AUDIENCE
A useful way to begin a study of Audience is by considering the types of pleasures offered by Action Adventure and why the genre has remained so successful with audiences. Is it still the case that Action Adventure films appeal predominantly to male audiences? It is important that students are encouraged to
think of Audience in terms of the plural audiences in offering explanations of enduring appeal. The Uses and Gratifications theory is a useful tool to guide this but there are also other avenues of exploration in a
consideration of audience. Critics of Action Adventure argue that such films promote unhealthy attitudes towards violence and that narratives are becoming too dominated by special effects and action sequences.
think of Audience in terms of the plural audiences in offering explanations of enduring appeal. The Uses and Gratifications theory is a useful tool to guide this but there are also other avenues of exploration in a
consideration of audience. Critics of Action Adventure argue that such films promote unhealthy attitudes towards violence and that narratives are becoming too dominated by special effects and action sequences.
INSTITUTIONS
Action Adventure films are expensive to make and often command a high production budget. You should research the costs of making a film and the implications of this for the production company. High budget can mean high risk and this can lead on to an exploration of the range of ways profits are generated from a film.
This should involve a study of how films are marketed and the generation of many spin-offs which can include a range of merchandise for example.
In terms of Action Adventure, this leads to an opportunity to consider the Film Franchise strategy to widen appeal to audiences.
This should involve a study of how films are marketed and the generation of many spin-offs which can include a range of merchandise for example.
In terms of Action Adventure, this leads to an opportunity to consider the Film Franchise strategy to widen appeal to audiences.
MEDIA LANGUAGE: Genre and Narrative
For the exam you should know the following
• the importance of genre as a marketing tool
• the codes and conventions of the genre
• the sub genres that constitute the genre, leading to a consideration of hybridity
A useful way to begin exploring codes and conventions is through narrative. It is an important contributor to
the universal appeal of Action Adventure. You should know Todorov's narrative theory with regards to the way the plot is organised. By
an examination of the following, you can begin to ask what binds films together under the heading of
Action Adventure:
Storyline and Plot: Tease out the differences between these two terms. Think about the characteristics of Action Adventure films in having fast moving plots which provide plenty of excitement and tension.
Structure: All Action Adventure films have recognisable narrative structures which offer a way of examining how a story is organised and shaped in terms of time and events. It is interesting to explore the rules of narrative structure with regard to Action Adventure. For example a defining feature of narrative is the high degree of narrative closure, with all problems resolved and/or our hero triumphant. So in addition to linear structure (beginning, middle, end), narrative can often be seen in terms of oppositional structure too, as a fight between forces of good and evil (Levi-Strauss Binary Opposition).
Main characters: All Action Adventure films have a recognisable heroic central character, a hero or heroine who is able to overcome incredible odds (remember {Propp's characters). Whilst some films feature brave heroines, most narratives are organised around traditional gender roles. Explore the extent to which modern films have challenged traditional female (and male) stereotyping.
Oppositional characters: Action Adventure films tend to feature characters that play opposite the key central character, for example either in the form of a relationship (hero/heroine) or in conflict (hero/villain).
Journey/QuestAction Adventure films often involve central characters working towards a final goal (such as seeking
treasure). These narratives take place against the backdrop of a variety of exotic and sometimes glamorous locations. These can range from desert landscapes to urban settings. Not only can their use provide the audience with visual pleasures, but the location itself can serve an important narrative function as central characters find themselves battling with the challenges presented by it e.g. surviving earthquakes, struggling through jungles etc.
Action sequencesAction sequences and their accompanying special effects play an important part of narrative construction and contribute to the pleasures offered by Action Adventure films. With advances made in technology these are becoming more spectacular. Action sequences can range from battles and explosions to fist fights and car chases etc.
• the importance of genre as a marketing tool
• the codes and conventions of the genre
• the sub genres that constitute the genre, leading to a consideration of hybridity
A useful way to begin exploring codes and conventions is through narrative. It is an important contributor to
the universal appeal of Action Adventure. You should know Todorov's narrative theory with regards to the way the plot is organised. By
an examination of the following, you can begin to ask what binds films together under the heading of
Action Adventure:
Storyline and Plot: Tease out the differences between these two terms. Think about the characteristics of Action Adventure films in having fast moving plots which provide plenty of excitement and tension.
Structure: All Action Adventure films have recognisable narrative structures which offer a way of examining how a story is organised and shaped in terms of time and events. It is interesting to explore the rules of narrative structure with regard to Action Adventure. For example a defining feature of narrative is the high degree of narrative closure, with all problems resolved and/or our hero triumphant. So in addition to linear structure (beginning, middle, end), narrative can often be seen in terms of oppositional structure too, as a fight between forces of good and evil (Levi-Strauss Binary Opposition).
Main characters: All Action Adventure films have a recognisable heroic central character, a hero or heroine who is able to overcome incredible odds (remember {Propp's characters). Whilst some films feature brave heroines, most narratives are organised around traditional gender roles. Explore the extent to which modern films have challenged traditional female (and male) stereotyping.
Oppositional characters: Action Adventure films tend to feature characters that play opposite the key central character, for example either in the form of a relationship (hero/heroine) or in conflict (hero/villain).
Journey/QuestAction Adventure films often involve central characters working towards a final goal (such as seeking
treasure). These narratives take place against the backdrop of a variety of exotic and sometimes glamorous locations. These can range from desert landscapes to urban settings. Not only can their use provide the audience with visual pleasures, but the location itself can serve an important narrative function as central characters find themselves battling with the challenges presented by it e.g. surviving earthquakes, struggling through jungles etc.
Action sequencesAction sequences and their accompanying special effects play an important part of narrative construction and contribute to the pleasures offered by Action Adventure films. With advances made in technology these are becoming more spectacular. Action sequences can range from battles and explosions to fist fights and car chases etc.
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