// THREE MORE ACTION ADVENTURE QUESTIONS //

Q1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre.
At the start of the action scene there seems to be a lot of silence right before the battle that will begin very shortly after. This fits the action adventure genre as tension builds up towards the action scene, which is a common convention used within the genre that this movie is in. However, during this silence a even larger common occurrence in action movies is shown, which are the soldier costumes that the sailors wear whilst going into the battle. These costumes are presented as worn and dusty, almost like the surroundings - the sea - have taken an effect on the sailors before the fight has even begun. Battle-torn costumes are often seen in action adventure movies as they present to the audience the ruggedness and effect that the environment and the battle in the movies has on the characters; the war takes a hit on the appearance especially in this type of genre. Costumes and appearance are a huge signal on whether a film is in a certain genre or not, and the costumes in Master and Commander defiantly match the action adventure genre.

Another feature within Master and Commander that leads us to believe that it is in the action adventure genre is the actual action that takes place within the extract scene. When the scene starts, a lot of cannon fire and loud explosions can be heard and seen which over shadows all of the silence before the action scene, but it also breaks all of the tension that was leading up to the fight. The reason why the sounds in the film match the action adventure genre is because they include explosions and loud sounds that give tension to the scene, which matches the conventions of the action adventure genre.


Q2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:
Soundtrack:
In Master and Commander, there doesn't seem to be any sort of non-diegetic sound such as sound tracks, but it does include shouting from characters off frame. This helps to create the effect of tension and chaos within the extract, as the non-audible shouts make the action sequence see that much more crazy. Diegetic sounds are also used in the this films extract, such as cannon fire and explosions, along with dialogue from the characters that are helping in the battle between the two ships in this scene. These sound effects help to add an element of realism to the warfare in the extract, and allow the audience to understand level and ferocity of the battle.

Editing:
A lot of cuts are used within the action scene in the extract from "Master and Commander", this adds the effect of chaos and intensity which adds enjoyment for the audience watching the action scene. Also, this fast-paced action creates a continuous effect for the scene, which aims to keep the audience focused of the scene due to the scale of the warfare happening in the extract. Cross-cutting editing is also used within the scene, as due to the intensity and size of the action, many cannons and explosions happen at the same time, but this editing ensures that the audience sees all of the action and creates the effect of a linear battle scene.

Camerawork:
Throughout the entire extract action scene, establishing shots are used to set the scene of the action, but also due to the size of the ships that are actually fighting, they also help to establish who and what is fighting. Steadicams are also used when action is going on outside of the ship and the scene is set inside of the ship during the fight, which allows for a short interval between action shots. Along with this steadicam technique that is used indoors, a canted angle is also used to show the motion of the battleship during the action scene too. Finally, crane shots are used throughout the entire extract, as they provide a better angle to see what is happening in the action scene, due to the scale of the battleships included in the scene.

Mise-en-scene:

Q3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the extract.

// THREE ACTION ADVENTURE QUESTIONS //

Q1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre.
In the film "The Hurt Locker", the characters, environment and props in the movie show popular conventions of the action/adventure genre. One of the main focuses that show conventions of the film being action adventure is the explosion that happens in the movie. This section of the extract fits the events that are usually found in the conventions of an action adventure film, as it adds tension and action towards the main plot of the film and the extract as a whole. Also, the section of the film shows the protagonist's bravery and daring personality, which also fits the main common conventions that are found in war action adventure movies.

Another feature in this scene that shows obvious connotations to this movie being action/adventure is the environment that the scene is set in. The setting that the scene is in looks very run down, with a large open area that is where most of the action happens with in the scene. By this scene being put in this setting, the plot is aided by it, as everything that happens - along with the setting - matches all of the conventions of the action/adventure genre. One main feature that sticks out is that the film is set in the middle east, which is a common convention that is found commonly in action adventure movies. This is because it is perfect for the tension in the scene, as all of the characters, including the protagonist, are put under a lot of pressure by the suicide bomb situation.

Q2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:
Soundtrack:
Although The Hurt Locker doesn't have any non-diegetic sound such as soundtracks, it does have a bit of diegetic sound along with dialogue, but the way that the dialogue is put across by characters are used to create an atmosphere for the intense scene. The way diegetic sounds, such as ambient sounds, are connected together with sound bridges to let the synchronous sounds to match up to the scene that has been cut to, so that with all the cuts, realism is still kept intact. The sounds that are usually found within action scenes help the audience watching the film understand that the scene is intense and serious, also giving connotations towards chaos being experienced by the scene.

Editing:
A lot of cuts are used in The Hurt Locker as it creates the effect that the action keeps going on and on, yet also brings across the fact that everything is intense and chaotic. The reason why the scene is put across like this is so that the audience does not lose focus in the action scene. Shot-reverse-shots are also used in the film to create the effect that you can see in the scene from a characters perspective without using point-of-view shots. These shots also help to carry on dialogue with continuity editing, yet also show the scene as a whole.

Camerawork:
Establishing shots are used a lot in The Hurt Locker to help give a wider perspective of the situation in the clip, yet it also helps to demonstrate to the audience the intensity of the scene . This also often helps to show the size of the area in which the scene is taking place in. Point-of-view shots are also used towards the right at the start of the action scene, to help the audience "step into the protagonists shoes" and create the effect that the situation that the main character is in is personal, to help it feels more intense, yet, it also helps you to understand how the protagonist is feeling - nervous and scared. Towards the start of the scene,

Mise-en-scene:
At the beginning of the extract action scene from The Hurt Locker, the main character is dressed in a large 'Juggernaut' costume that is used for defusing and extracting bombs in a war scenario. This costume helps the scene to be set, as it gives a more tense and controlled feel to the extract scene. Altogether, the outfits of the army soldiers make the scene look a lot more believable and realistic, as it gives the audience an idea of a real situation like this one. Body language and facial expressions are also a large part of the scene, as it shows the soldiers looking stressed, worried and scared which is a massive contrast from the protagonists facial expressions which show confidence and leadership qualities.

Q3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the extract.
The protagonist in The Hurt Locker is represented as the highest in command of his squadrant by the huge armored costume that he wears throughout the extract, along with his authoritative tone and commanding actions that he uses. It is also quite obvious that the other soldiers are seen as less important to the main protagonist, due to their similar costumes and willingness to help their commander. Also, every other soldier in the scene seems to be quite young and inexperienced compared to the leader, who is shown as more adult and older which makes him suit the leader role better than being younger, which is shown by the way he represented. Furthermore, all of the soldiers seem to be American and of white and black decent, which shows diversity in the soldiers too, which shows that they are all quite inexperienced with the situation in the extract whereas the protagonist is not. There is no real big stereotype that sticks out when looking at the extract, except that all of the soldiers look quite well built and are in classic camouflage uniform. However, another stereotype is that all of these soldiers - including the protagonist - are all male with no exceptions within the scene.

// EDGE OF TOMORROW FEATURES //

Soundtrack:
Although Edge of Tomorrow doesn't have any non-diegetic sound, it does have a lot of diegetic sound that adds tot he effects of explosions that are seen on screen, but also dialogue that the characters use to create an atmosphere for each scene. The way diegetic sounds, such as explosions, are used for are linked together with sound bridges to allow things that are synchronous sounds to match up to the scene that has been cut to. The sounds within the action scenes help the audience understand that the scene is serious, also giving connotations to chaos and intensity.
Editing:
Continuity editing is used a lot in Edge of Tomorrow as it creates the effect that the action keeps going on and on, so that the audience does not lose focus in the action scene. Shot-reverse-shots are also used in the film to create the effect that you can see in the scene from a characters perspective without using point-of-view shots. These shots also help to carry on dialogue with continuity editing, yet also show the scene as a whole.
Camerawork:
Establishing shots in Edge of Tomorrow help to set the scene for the action which is going to take place. This also often helps to show the size of the battle, and creates an intense effect to the starting action scene. Point-of-view shot are also used towards the start of the action scene, to help the audience "step into the protagonists shoes" and create the effect that this fight is personal' it also helps you to understand how the protagonist is feeling - confused and scared. Towards the start of the scene, Steadicam is used to help give clear shots of the action scene to help you understand what is happening in further detail, to create the effect that the action hasn't started yet, or has slowed down. However, further into the action scene, a handheld camera is used to add tension to the scene and create chaos on the battlefield.
Mise-en-scene:
Towards the beginning of the action scene in Edge of Tomorrow, the protagonist's body language conveys the image that he is inexperienced in the soldier suit he is given, which allows the audience to understand that he is confused and has no hope in the battle due to this problem. When the protagonist meets his sidekick, she is portrayed as being a lot stronger and experienced than all the other soldiers; her body language and the action she carries out clearly shows the features of her character. Also, by the dialogue that is carried out between these two characters, it is clear that these two have a modern love interest due to the experiences that they have both had with the major part of the plot line. The setting of the action scene also gives connotations that the fight will be dirty and physically difficult to fight in, as the terrain looks battered with bombs and crashing airships.

// ACTION ADVENTURE CONVENTIONS //

• The plot usually involves a major problem that a main character/s will face throughout the movie. They are also usually the only one who can solve the problem that is usually a threat to a lot of people.
• Action/Adventure movies generally introduce the main character/s (protagonist) towards the beginning of the plot, who is often the underdog in most/all situations they are faced with.
• There is also often a dilemma in the movie that introduces an antagonist (main bad character)
• In an action sequence, there is often intense music that involve close-up shot s of faces, weapons and even body movements such as foot steps etc.
• The characters in action adventure films tend to be believable despite the film itself being unrealistic.
• The main protagonist who tends to be a ‘normal’ guy who discovers a hidden power or talent.

Edge of Tomorrow:
William Cage fits into the Action/Adventure genre as the main protagonist of the film as he is seen as the underdog in every situation he faces, but is also the main focus of the story and plot line. In Edge of Tomorrow, Cage is also the only character who can solve the major problem within the war of the story plot. We  can also tell that Edge of Tomorrow is part of the Action/Adventure genre by the opening scene, where we are introduced to an antagonist of the film, as he deceives the protagonist of the film and betrays he so that he is forced to the fight on the front lines in the war. Also one way we can tell the film is part of the Action/Adventure genre is by watching the first action sequence that the film introduces you to. In this first sequence, we are presented with classic 'intense' action music that is typically seen across the entire Action/Adventure genre that helps to increase the tension within the scene.

// BAD EDUCATION AUDIENCE PLEASURES //

4a)

Friday Night Dinner

• Commissioned by Channel 4 and produced by Robert Popper.
• They are aimed at people, more so families with older children. But also people aged 15-25.
• It is usually aired on Friday nights at around 9/10pm. It is on after watershed as the show contains sexual references and strong language.

Bad Education

• Commissioned by BBC Three, and produced by Pippa Brown.
• This show is aimed at school teenagers, as the situation of the comedy is linked to their age range. (14-20)
• The show is generally aired on Tuesdays at a time around 10pm (after watershed). This is due to the strong language and sexual references.

4b)
         In the sitcom, narrative resolution is used to give a story to each episode, so that the episode before and after have no effect on the episode – so that new viewers do not need to catch up in retrospect. The way narrative resolution is used, is by giving the main character a situation, in which something usually goes his way until he is caught out on what he was doing. The reason why this satisfies us as an audience is because it gives us a good idea of how the episode is going to finish – so we slowly watch it all unravel itself. Another way that the show satisfies us, is by making the main character an exaggerated rendition of what most normal people are like – allowing him to be relatable to the audience so that the story can be understood, this helps build a strong connection with the audience watching the show at the time. However, a lot of the characters are not likeable, as the show tries to give the perspective that everyone is against him, and when he messes up – everybody laughs to make the mistake a kind of ‘cringe-comedy’. The show also tends to create suspense towards the end of the episode, as when the moment gets closer and closer, you recognise the situation and slowly see the main character get caught out in his situation. Another way the show allows us to connect to the storyline and the characters is to make each one clearly identifiable. One example of this is “The Logical Smart One” who is responsible and the only stable one in the class room who is represented through Jing. The main character, Alfie Wickers, is the character that most people relate to the most. However, the reason why he is the most relatable character is because he is sarcastic, optimistic and impulsive – the attributes of a lot of the people that watch the show, along with the decisions he makes even though they may seem stupid sometimes. Most of these separate attributes for each character are seen commonly within many UK Sitcoms, as it allows characters to be identified easily. These shows are usually broadcasted after watershed, such as Friday Night Dinner, as they include rude language and adult references. These are included as this is the style of comedy that the show portrays, meaning it will be broadcasted at adult times.

// UK SITCOMS //

I found that a lot of the comedies aired in the UK are usually on free channels, such as BBC, Channel 4. However, some comedies are on channels such as Sky 1 but they are usually not as well known as BBC comedies due to this restriction.

// MAGAZINE //