Portfolio Project Genre #1

ACTION!

Action is a very exciting genre that always grabs people's attention. It focuses on a lot of movement and tension in the scenes. I immediately thought of Action for my portfolio project, because I knew I could use a lot of different shots, angles, and sound to make it realistic. I also liked how it's super visual and there's not a lot of dialogue.

Typical Target Audience: 
Most action films are made for teens and young adults from about 13-35 years old. Usually, the main audience is males but recently that's been changing. It appeals to people who like fast-pacing and heavy stakes in films. It also does well internationally because the scripts don't use a lot of dialogue but instead body language. 
 
Content Conventions: 
Action films all have a super similar plot. They have a main protagonist, an antagonist/threat, a main goal, and lots of high stakes. 
 
Technique Conventions: Action differs a lot from other genres with its shots and editing. These techniques are all very easy to recreate on my own for this project. 
 
Typical camera shots:  
- Tracking shots to follow characters movements 
- Handheld shots during fights to make things feel more chaotic 
- Low angles to make certain characters look more powerful 
- Wide shots to show the setting during a chase or etc. 
 
Editing: 
- Quick cuts between the intense scenes 
- Cross-cutting between the hero and villain 
- Fast to slow to fast again pacing 
 
Sound: 
- Sharp falling sounds 
- Rising music during build ups 
- Silence before a big hit or plot twist 
 
Mise-en-scene: 
- Weapons, vehicles, and more gear 
- An urban setting 
- High-contrast lighting 
 
Institutional Conventions: 
 
Narrative Image: Action posters usually include the protagonist centered in the middle with explosions or the city behind them, as well as a lot of bold colors used. 
 
Marketing: Studios make sure to highlight the big stunts during the trailers and social media posts. The behind-the-scenes stunt videos are also a huge part of their marketing. It lets audiences see how the effects are done which is really interesting. 
 
Distribution: Action films get global releases since they do well internationally. They are released in IMAX and Dolby theaters since the film's play better with larger screens and loud sounds. 
 
Here's a few examples with the link to Avatar's trailer and Top Gun's movie poster:  
 
20th Century Studios. (2009). Avatar – Official Trailer [Video]. YouTube. 
Avatar | Official Trailer (HD) | 20th Century FOX
 
Paramount Pictures. (1986). Top Gun [Movie poster]. 
 
 
 
 
Examples of Films: 
 
Mission: Impossible - Fallout (2018): 
This movie uses a lot of modern action techniques. The helicopter chase, rooftop run, and motorcycle parts all rely on stunts. The editing keeps the setting known even when it gets chaotic and intense. 
 
 
 
McQuarrie, C. (Director). (2018). Mission: Impossible – Fallout [Film still]. Paramount Pictures. 
 
Avengers: Endgame (2019): 
This is a superhero film and an action one. The final battle is a really good example of the action choreography. It's very large with numerous characters, constant movement, and lots of different fights happening simultaneously. The film also uses cross-cutting to help the audience follow what's happening between all the different characters.  
 
 
 
Russo, A., & Russo, J. (Directors). (2019). Avengers: Endgame [Film still]. Marvel Studios. 
 
Reflection: 
So, I chose Action as one of my genres to research because it has so many different techniques to use. I like how the editing can completely change how a scene feels. Even someone getting chased down a hallway can be made very chaotic with the shots and angles. All in all, that's why Action stood out to me.