2. Genre Analysis - Action
Action is a genre that is in film and literature. It consist of fast
paced scenes, gun fights and well thought out plot scenes. Most of
the action films I have watched all use the same key elements like:
A technically advanced enemy being defeated by the ‘Hero’, chase
scenes, fast cars, guns and raids. These elements make an action
film; however you can get action films that haven’t gone over the
top with expenses however the plot has to be written well. Some
common plot devices include: heists, robbery, police, terrorism,
heroism, kidnapping etc.
The genre action has been one of the longest genres in the film
industry as the first ever action film “The great train robbery” was
created in 1903, well over 100 years ago. Even in this film,
elements from today’s modern action films are used. Edwin S. Porter
was the director of ‘The Great Train Robbery’, the first action
film. Although the running time was only 12 minutes long, it
revolutionised the film industry and more films began to use this
great genre.
Typical conventions used in the Action genre:
- Fast paced shots
- Following the action with the camera
- Depending on whether or not the person does his often, the
camera shot could all be done without cuts and with panning.
- Good Guys and Bad Guys (Bad Guys are often kept in the dark)
- Fast cars
- Lots of chasing
- Explosions
- The hero is normally quite well kept
Top grossing Action Films recently produced:
- Jurassic World Directed by Colin Trevorrow
- Fast and Furious 7 directed by James Wan
- American Sniper Directed by Clint Eastwood
- Spectre Directed by Sam Mendes
Common actors that are in Action Films:
- Daniel Craig (James Bond – Educated, sophisticated, license to
kill)
- Mark Wahlberg (Films - Pain & Gain, Lone survivor etc.)
- Mark Sinclair – Vin Diesel (Fast and Furious)
All of these actors are well known ‘Tuff Guys’ however they are
all of different standards. Daniel Craig is a ‘posh’ Spy, mark
Wahlberg is more of a hard hitting man and Vin Diesel takes more
of the thug approach.
