AS Media evaluation question 1

1. Question 1:
In what ways does your media product use,
develop or challenge forms and conventions of
real products?
CHLOE LAM 9687

2. Camera work
Tracking shot
There are further uses of long shots in our opening
sequence to further present the setting of the film
to the audience. In addition to shooting a long
shot, we had the camera track the movement of
the main character as she walked across the
frame. This is also typical of action-adventure films
as this shot conveys motion and speed which is
needed in the general narrative code of speed
chase sequences.
Establishing shot
The opening sequence of our final product
begins with an extreme wide shot and
establishing shot. This is used frequently
within action-adventure films to establish the
atmosphere and time to the audience to
show them the setting of the film. This use of
establishing and extreme wide shot is also
shown in ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of
the Crystal Skull’.

3. Over the shoulder shot
The over the shoulder shot (usually with
extreme close up) is used frequently within
action adventure films to present finer and
more specific details, usually a letter or a
note. This is evident in the opening
sequence of ‘The Hobbit’ and we attempted
to use this technique within our final product
with an over the shoulder shot of the map.
The close up of this map also further
connotes the element of adventure and
journey which we wanted to portray to the
audience.
High angle shot (and framing)
We decided to use a high angle shot as this shot portrays the
character as vulnerable due to the angle of the camera
making her appear smaller while in the frame. High angle
shots like thisare often used within this genre of films when the odds
seem to be stacked against the protagonist/hero and thus
making the character(s) seem weaker and at risk. An
example of this is evident in ‘The Avengers’. Additionally,
the framing of this shot in terms of Rules of Thirds with the
character being placed in the centre third of the frame
signifies both her importance and also her isolation in this
new world.

4. Low angle shot (and Dutch tilt)
Our opening sequence ends on a low angle shot of the
main character’s face. The low angle enlarges the
character and her reaction to the audience as this mid-
shot means that her body can cover a wide range of the
frame, making her the centre of attention. Additionally,
the use of canted angle/Dutch tilt suggests that
uneasiness and a potential twisted change to the
atmosphere thus far. The use of the canted angle is
popularly used within the film ‘12 Monkeys’ in which this
particular film technique connotes that something is
wrong or a character is in danger.
Extreme close up
This is a very popular film technique which just about
every action-adventure film must include. This makes
audiences take complete notice on what is on the screen
and this can further suggest the subject of the frame’s
importance in the overall plot of the film and also its
significance to the character. This is shown within our
opening sequence as when the character runs towards the
water, it cuts to an extreme close up to the surface of the
slightly iced water. On the second cut to this shot, after the
character runs through, a face of who is implied to be the
antagonist appears in the water, looking up at the girl. This
was intended to suggest this new character’s importance
within the plot of the film.

5. Colour and lighting
High-key lighting
High-key lighting is extremely popular within action
adventure films. This lighting enhances and
highlights the saturated primary colours which are
part of the codes and conventions within the
genre. We were able to achieve this within our
own film as we took advantage of natural sunlight
as we filmed the majority of the opening sequence
in the morning.
Colour (post production)
As the use of vivid primary colours are so
important within the conventions of action-
adventure films, we ensured to incorporate this
within our own film.
DEVELOPMENT
However, we further developed this as we were
required to portray the second location of the film
as other worldly and vastly different from the
mundane setting of the first location. We were able
to achieve this by using the ‘Teal and Orange’ filter
in Final Cut Pro. This filter enhanced the blue and
green hues within the piece beautifully and vividly.
DEVELOPMENT
We further developed the use of light
in the final scene of our piece as
Jessica retreats from a place of
high-key lighting into a dark,
shadowed area, causing the shadow
to fall on her face. We did the
intentionally to foreshadow danger in
her path.

6. Titles
The research collected from my title-analysis in my research and planning section of my
coursework was the basis of the titles we used within our final product. From that research, we
were able to come up with what we believed would be the most effective titles including its font
style and colour. We also planned where these titles would be positioned on the screen as well
as how they appeared and left the frame and the duration of these titles on screen.
Font
We initially used the font ‘American Typewriter’ on Final
Cut Pro as a basic guideline for the positioning of the
titles in the rough edits of the film and were toying on the
idea of using it for the final version of the opening
sequence. But we found that that particular may have
been too safe and boring to be used for the entirety of
the titles although it is used for the production and
distribution companies as well as the position/job of the
crew. I then came across the font ‘St Charles’ that was free
and unlicensed online. This font was cursive and had the
nuance of an olden time and other worldly embedded
within it. This is because this style connotes a feel of
carefully handcrafted calligraphy which is typical of
action-adventure films based around a fantastical theme.
This font also reminded me of the calligraphic font style
seen in the opening titles of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ which I
studied within the research and planning section of my
blog.

7. Positioning
The titles in our opening sequence change
position quite frequently. This is also common
within action-adventure films. The change in
position makes the audience follow the titles
as they appear on screen and thus keep their
attention as they are required to read and stay
alert with the movement.
Transition
A common transition uses to present titles in title
sequences of action-adventure films are fades. We also
used this within
Additionally, we ensured that the titles appeared in
appropriate positions in the frame so that any action
simultaneously occurring in the background would not be
obstructed. This is similar to the titles in ‘Guardians of the
Galaxy’
our film as the title fade onto the screen and also fades to disappear from the frame.
Another popular form of action-adventure titles are that the titles appear or a disappear with
a movement/action of the character on screen. This was seen in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’
and also within our own film as the word ‘presents’ in the second shot of the sequence left
the frame as the boot came down. Additionally, the main title, ‘Into the Heart of Leda’
disappears with a beam of light that travels across the screen.

8. Colour
The colour we chose for our font was a basic white. This
is typical of action-adventure films as this bold colour
contrasts the images on the screen at the same time.
The rather abrupt contrast of the colour of the font with
the background action signifies the theme of reality
versus fantasy which is central within our film.
In addition, our titles are presented on top of action
which is a very common convention of the action-
adventure genre.
Main title
The main title of the film, ‘Into the
Heart of Leda’ is capitalised and is
positioned in the middle of the frame
and stretched from one side to
another. This makes the main titles
really stand out against the
background and also makes the
audience focus on the title.Furthermore, ‘Leda’ is a name from Greek mythology and this is also common within action-
adventure films as there tends to be historical references throughout which can also highlight the
motif of magical and mysterious objects such as the map in our own film.

9. Editing
CHALLENGE – Whip pan
An editing technique we decided to use which challenged
the general forms of a real action-adventure film was the
whip pan upwards. This is when the camera moves
abruptly in a given direction and all the images blur
together at a fast rate to create a blurred effect. This tend
to be a convention used within horror or thriller films but
we used this within our own piece to imply that something
dangerous would occur to the protagonist while they were
in this new world.
Continuous editing
Within the action-adventure genre, most editing
tends to be continuous with match-on action
shots the most common. We achieved this
within our own film as we had scenes which
were filmed from two different angles and then
edited to follow the same action or movement.
For example, when Jessica first wakes up in the
new world and when she runs through the
water.

10. CGI/ Special Effects
CGI (Computer Generated Images) and special effects are a
common convention in action-adventure films and are often
included in these films in the form of explosions and
sometimes characters. An example of this is explosions in
‘James Bond’ and the CGI of Groot in ‘Guardian of the
Galaxy’.
There are two uses of special effects in our final product. The first is the goblin like face that
appears in the water as the main character runs through and the second is in the final scene
as a dark cloud/smoke begins to emerge above the character’s head. These were added
through the ‘keyer’ function on Final Cut Pro.

11. Sound
The soundtrack in our final piece was constructed with 3 different
pieces of music.
The first track used is serene and tranquil. This reflects the ‘calm before
the storm’ element within our film.
The second piece of music cleverly builds tension and suspense with
rises and falls throughout. This musical technique is imperative within
action-adventure films and the most popular and renown use of this
building music is probably in ‘James Bond’ films.
The third piece is the most dramatic and has a faster pace and beat
than the previous two pieces. This is also typical of action adventure
films such as ‘Star Wars’ which is well known for its use of dramatic and
cinematic music.

12. Costume
In terms of costume, the bright green coat of the main
character, Jessica, made a clear statement to her character.
Its uniqueness gives the character an iconic appeal to which
audiences can automatically associate this article of clothing
with her. This is used within many action-adventure films,
especially within franchises such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’
and ‘James Bond’.

13. Narrative
Good vs bad (Binary Oppositions)
The generic convention of action-adventure
films having a good versus evil force is evident
in our opening sequence. The sweet and
innocent looking protagonist contrasts to the
rather sinister and unattractive antagonist who
is suggested in the piece. This common form
is seen within films such as ‘Pirates of the
Caribbean’.
Object motif
This is a must for all action-adventure
films and we included this within our own.
The map is the magical object which is
the catalyst to the action in our film. This
object motif is seen in ‘Lord of the Rings’
with the ring.
Journey/adventure
We achieve this through the use of the map and editing to which the character finds herself in
a new world which is unlike her own. Additionally, the voice over suggests that the character is
‘escaping’ which alludes to the theme of adventure and partaking in a journey.

14. Narrative - Characters
CHALLENGE
The biggest challenge we made against the general codes and conventions of the action-
adventure genre was the casting for our protagonist.
Our protagonist was a young female as compared to an older male character which is found
across the genre. Examples include James Bond, Indiana Jones and Captain Jack Sparrow.
This challenge against the male-dominated genre was a risk that we kept in mind as the
current market for the action-adventure genre is still currently over-run by males and they
may not completely welcome the idea of a female protagonist. However, we decided to
challenge the generic and restrictive gender role within the action-adventure genre as we
wished to reach out to a wider target audience and show our audience that women can be
as good and successful heroines as men who are heroes. To some extent, it can be said
that we took some inspiration from Angelina Jolie’s ‘Lara Croft’ who was a female
protagonist who succeeded in her adventures and tasks.