BBFC Certification: Many action adventure films are either U, PG or 12a/12 to attract a wider target audience that includes a significantly younger demographic.
Genre hybridisation: Action adventure films are a mix of the codes and conventions genres, often not just action and adventure but also comedy and on occasion, fantasy and science fiction.
Todorovian narrative: Many action adventure films can be structured in a classic equilibrium, a disruption followed by resolution and a new equilibrium (things will never be the same again).
Propp: Propp’s 8 character roles can often be applied to the genre (not always all categories) – Hero, Villain, False Hero, Princess, Donor, Dispatcher, Helper and Her Father.
Protagonist: Central character.
Antagonist: The bad guy/villain.
Conventions: Typical features that allow audiences to identify genre.
High production values: Most action adventure films have high production values (big budget) that includes star marketing, CGI, set and costume design, multiple camera technology and studio and on location shooting. A high production budget would be $100m plus – Skyfall for example had a budget of $200m.
Star marketing: Well known, recognised film actors (audience identification).
Wide/saturated distribution: Most action adventure films have a significant marketing budget and are distributed to between 400 and 700 UK cinemas.
CGI: Computer generated imagery, commonly used in the genre.
Classic 3 act narrative structure: The way a film can be split into a simple beginning, middle and end.
Major Hollywood studio: The six major Hollywood studios that dominate film production – Warner Bothers, 20th Century Fox, Disney, Universal, Paramount and Sony.
Shot/reverse shot: Often used in action adventure films, this is where the character is shown looking at another (often off screen) and then the other character is looking back – good for establishing conflict e.g. between protagonist and antagonist and in developing character relationships.
Fast paced editing: A key convention of the genre, particularly during action or chase sequences.
Single stranded, linear, closed narrative with clear resolution: The film is about one thing e.g. a quest, it is chronological (maybe with a bit of flashback) and has a clear unambiguous ending, normally a positive narrative outcome.
Dramatic non-diegetic soundtrack: Exciting music that drives a fast paced narrative.
Narrative action codes: Events that clearly signal that something is going to happen e.g. the unbuckling of a gun holster signifies a confrontational action sequence or as in Pirates of the Caribbean, the unsheathing of a sword sends the same message.
Generic typecasting: Where actors are used to play familiar action roles – Craig, Damon, Neeson, Stallone, Cruise. Ford etc.
Mise-en-scene: Everything in the shot – lighting, colour, pose, facial expressions, body language, objects and props, setting and dress code.
Camerawork: This includes type of camera, framing, types of shots, camera angle, lenses, focus and camera movement.
Iconography: The visual elements that help an audience identify the action adventure genre.
Franchise: Intellectual property that can be sold on and are a familiar brand e.g. the Pirates of the Caribbean films and Star Wars films are part of a franchise.
Narrative Arc: Narratives/storylines that cross a franchise or a sequel.
Commercial success: Monetary success e.g. box office and DVD sales – action adventure films are associated with commercial success.
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