Action and Adventure Genre Research

Our new film for AICE Media fits the description of both an action and adventure movie so we researched both genres. We did this to see what the key elements were for each one. This will allow us to properly film our movie. it will also let us know which conventions we might break in order to make our film unique.

In action films long shots and extreme long shots are used to make the subject look smaller than the location making them look unfamiliar. Medium long shots and two or three shots are often used in action movies to introduce the characters and include them all in one shot. In action movies costumes can range from normal outfit, a suit and tie, high tech gear, and mid evil night costumes. Action films typically have low key lighting to represent danger but can also have bright lighting if the director wants to add a comedic element to the film. The actors for action movies can vary but they usually have well known actors taking a lead role and less known actors taking a supporting role. Makeup varies with the film in certain films such as alien movies makeup that that will change the color of the face will be used and in war movies makeup that will make the character look dirty or tired might be used. For props most action movies will have fake weapons and use equipment like binoculars and smartphones. The setting for action movies can range from an urban city, small towns, nations, and different planets.

Common editing for action films include fade in and fade out effects along with burn in and burn out effects. Also in cases where the a certain scene was filmed during the day but the director wants it to look like it was filmed at night they can change the lighting through editing. Editing in action films will also often cut to the actors faces to show the emotion of the film. The common elements of an action film include a series of events that will lead the character into thrilling situations that include fighting and danger actions films will usually have one major protagonist and a villain that they must defeat. Examples of action films include Mission impossible, Inception, and John Wick. Common sounds in Action films are explosions and fighting noises. Elements of action films that I like are the thrilling plot and the suspense and danger. Elements that I don't like are the use of two shots and three shots.

Adventure films are similar to action films in certain ways. Adventure films use long shots, medium long shots and three shots. Costumes will also change depending on the movie and can be anything from hiking clothes to sci fi or high tech military clothes. The lighting in adventure films tends to be bright. Actors for adventure films can have any body type or gender and their popularity is not a factor. Make up usually isn't used in action films unless they are in a forest or outer space setting where they have to look dirty or nonhuman. For props adventure movies may use walking sticks, fake swords, and compasses. The setting for adventure movies is usually an area outside of a large city and can be in modern times or in the future and past. Like action movies editing includes cuts to the face along with fade in and fade out effects. The elements of an adventure film include a protagonist and a location that he must reach, during his adventure he will face obstacles such as enemies and natural obstructions and in the end he will come out a better person. Examples of adventure films include The Hobbit, Jason Borne, and Star Wars. I like the element of an adventure film where the main character is changed as a person from the experience. I don't like the bright lighting in the film and I think that dark lighting would help give it a feeling of suspense.