The document provides lesson material on analyzing action adventure films for an exam. It includes reminders of key terminology, sample exam questions, planning templates for questions, and sample student responses. For question 2, it explains how soundtrack, camerawork, editing, and mise-en-scene can be used to create effects like tension, spectacle and drama. Examples from Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life are provided, along with guidance on writing a high-scoring response.

1. LESSON 3 –
EXAM – SECTION A –
QUESTION 1
L.O.
To know key terminology to describe action adventure characters and events.
To know how to construct an effective Question 1 response.

2. NARRATIVE TERMS REMINDER – HOW MANY
DO YOU KNOW?
RED
HERRINGCLIFF-
HANGER
SUSPENS
E SURPRIS
E
MONTAG
E
EVENTS CHARACTERS
RESOURCEF
ULDOMINANT/SUBMISSI
VE
MORAL /
IMMORAL
UNDERDO
G
CONFLIC
T
PERIL /
JEAPORDY
HERO /
VILLAIN
SIDEKICK
HENCHMAN
ARCHETYPE
SPECTAC
LE
PROTAGONI
ST ANTAGONIS
T
CHALLENGE (PHYSICAL,
MENTAL, SKILL)
SET-PEICE
BINARY-
OPPOSITION

3. QUESTION 1
Explain two ways the characters and/or events in
the extract fit the action adventure genre. Use
examples from extract.
(By ‘characters and/or events’ they actually mean
NARRATIVE.)
• DON’T worry about representation or micro-features.
• DO talk about events, actions and character ‘types’
Lucky for you the question never changes, so
memorise it and practice often!

4. QUESTION 1 PROTOCOL
1) Identify Sub-genre
2) List generic conventions seen in extract
3) Identify specific examples of each feature
4) Write up your findings
Let’s practice! Watch the given extract from
Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life and watch
out for generic conventions.

5. TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE
(JUNE 2011)

6. QUESTION PROTOCOL
Sub-genre - Generic convention Example

7. MARK SCHEME – DID YOU GET ANY OF THESE?
If you missed any add them to your table.
• Lara is an underdog heroine attacked by a larger force of villains
• Lara is resourceful, strong, quick-witted, and humorous – (classic hero)
• The villains are characterless, underhand, and unnecessarily violent (clear
morality)
• There is a ‘magic object’ and a suggestion of treasure
• Conflict is represented by violence
• There is a set piece spectacular set-destruction sequence.
• An exotic location

8. THE RESPONSE
EXPLAIN TWO WAYS THE CHARACTERS AND/OR EVENTS IN THE EXTRACT FIT THE ACTION ADVENTURE GENRE. USE
EXAMPLES FROM EXTRACT.
• Lara is an underdog heroine attacked by a larger force of villains
• Lara is resourceful, strong, quick-witted, and humorous – (classic hero)
• The villains are characterless, underhand, and unnecessarily violent (clear
morality)
• There is a ‘magic object’ and a suggestion of treasure
• Conflict is represented by violence
• There is a set piece spectacular set-destruction sequence.
• An exotic location
Now pick any two and write up your question response. You should refer to all
planning table columns (sub-genre, convention and example)
All answers (A*-C) should pick out two generic conventions.
Good answers (A*-B) will give some detail from the extract to exemplify their
argument.
Best answers (A*-A) will use terminology – especially ‘generic convention’,
‘protagonist’, and ‘antagonist’ – and gave.

9. PLENARY
Use the assessment tick sheet to mark your friends work. Give them
one strength and one point for development.
Level 1 (0-2 marks)
• Describe some aspects of the text
• Shows minimal understanding of generic conventions
• No, minimal or inaccurate use of terminology
• Some simple ideas expressed with errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar that obscure meaning. Writing may also lack legibility.
Level 2 (3-5 marks)
• States at least one generic narrative feature
• Shows some understanding of generic conventions
• Offers some textual evidence (at the top)
• Limited use of terminology
• Simple ideas expressed appropriately but possibly with some errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar that obscure meaning.
Level 3 (6-7 marks)
• States two generic narrative features
• Shows sound understanding of appropriate generic conventions
• Offers sound textual evidence (at the top)
• Some accurate use of terminology
• Ideas expressed with some clarity and fluency; errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar do not obscure meaning.
Level 4 (8-10 marks)
• Explain two generic narrative features
• Shows thorough understanding of appropriate generic conventions
• Ideas and arguments supported by evidence
• Precise and accurate use of terminology
• Ideas expressed clearly and fluently in well structured sentences with few, if any, errors of spelling, punctuation and grammar.

10. LESSON 4 –
EXAM – SECTION A –
QUESTION 2
L.O.

11. TECHNICAL TERMS REMINDER – SORT THE TERMS!
Mise-en-scene Cinematography
(camerawork)
Sound Editing

12. QUESTION 2
2 Explain how each of the following is used to create
effects that fit the action adventure genre:
• soundtrack
• camerawork
• editing
• mise-en-scène.
Use examples from the extract. [20]
THRILL
SPECTACLE
TENSION
DRAMA
QUESTION –
WHAT EFFECTS MAY AN ACTION ADVENTURE
SEQUENCE WANT TO CREATE?

13. SOUNDTRACK
DIAGETIC
1) Sound Effects
2) Dialogue
3) Ambient sound
NON-DIAGETIC
1) Score
2) Voice-over
3) Incidental Music

14. MISE-EN-SCENE
• Hair & Make-up (includes wounds etc.)
• Costume
• Props
• Set
• Lighting.

15. CAMERAWORK
• Shot types (CU, LS, ES, Insert, Reveal)
• Shot angles (Low angle, eye level)
• Shot Movements (Pan, Tracking shot,
Crane shot, Zoom, Tilt, handheld,
static…)

16. EDITING
• C hoice
• O rder
• L ength
• T ransitions
• S pecial Effects

17. MARK SCHEME
Level 4 (16-20 marks)
• Comprehensive range of examples
• Detailed analysis of textual evidence from the extract
• Precise and accurate use of terminology
• Thorough understanding of connotative effect
• Ideas expressed clearly and fluently in well
structured sentences with few, if any, errors of
spelling, punctuation and grammar.

18. THE EXAMINERS SAY
DO NOT concentrate not on generic conventions, which are
covered by question 1,
DO NOT list observations without explaining effects
DO NOT define key terms (the examiner knows what diagetic
means!)
DO focus on media language elements and their connotative
effects.
DO try to describe all four bullet points equally

19. TOMB RAIDER: THE CRADLE OF LIFE
(JUNE 2011)

20. QUESTION PROTOCOL
1)Determine ‘effects’ that the sequence is
trying to create.
2)Identify techniques (in table) that are
used to achieve these effects.
3)Use notes to construct a response using
TECHNICAL LANGUAGE.

21. QUESTION PLANNING
TECHNIQUE EXAMPLE EFFECT
CAMERAWO
RK
SOUND
MISE-
EN-
SCENE
EDITING

22. Most candidates found the soundtrack easy to analyse, usually citing the tonal
changes in the music, the dialogue between Lara and her Greek helpers, and the
sounds of shots and of the temple collapsing. Several responses noted the
temporary absence of sound as a precursor to events. Many made reference (not
always accurately) to diegetic and non diegetic sounds; better candidates used
this terminology as part of a wider connotative analysis of particular examples,
rather than simply listing whether a sound was diegetic or non-diegetic – a
common fault in weaker answers.
how the exaggerated sound effect as Lara
fire her gun connotes its power
the use of eerie music with a sound effect
of rocks moving leading to ecstatic music
as the light fills the chamber
TECHNIQUE EXAMPLE EFFECT
CAMERAWOR
K
-crane shot
(establishing)
-constant use of dutch tilt
-CU Lara showing
reaction
-high angle & low angle
-hand-held camera
-tracking shot
-tracking shot 2
-insert
-on entering temple
-of statues
-getting the orb
-looking down at sidekicks up at
Lara
-escaping collapsing
-following orb
-Lara underwater swimming
-shooting pillar
-establishes dramatic location
-unease and excitement
-creates empathy with protagonist
-establishes power
-reflects chaos and desperation
-directs attention on objective
-shows skill and resourcefulness
-narrative clarity and character intentions
established
SOUND -Exaggerated SFX
-Eerie music
-SFX of rocks
-Ecstatic music
-Absence of sound
-Drums in score
-incidental music –
strings
-Lara’s gunfire
-when exploring temple
-temple collapse
-collecting orb
-before attack (throat slit)
-kick in when villains arrive
-when Lara is shot by spear gun
-Shows her gun’s power
-creates tension
-emphasises danger
-shows importance and magic of macguffin
-increases tension
-denotes their status as villains, raises trepidation
-shows her peril
MISE-EN-
SCENE
-spectacular setting
-low key lighting
-costume colours
-make up and hair do;
-weaponry as key props
-sexual attractiveness
-foreign villains
-light from orb
-the ancient temple
-fire as light source dark location
-villains wear black Lara light
colours
-held back for practicality
-Lara’s and villains guns
-tight fitting costume, famous star
-clearly asian origin
-when is found it glows
-fantasy/exotic location links to magic
-drama, sense of danger
-clear indication of good vs evil (binary-opposition)
-capability and resourcefulness
-conflict through violence for action and thill
-charismatic protagonist, increase empathy
-threat from ‘outside’/unknown (xenophobia)
-shows magical powers and worth
EDITING -slow motion
-slow pace
-increase in editing pace
-cross-cutting
-pillars collapse
-during the exploration of the cave
-as the antagonists arrived;
-finding the orb & antagonists’ arrival
-sense of spectacle
-focus of spectacle of exotic location
-release of suspense focus on action
-builds tension from upcoming conflict
POSSIBLE OBSERVATIONS

23. ANSWER THE QUESTION AND SUBMIT TO
TEACHER.
2 Explain how each of the following is used to create
effects that fit the action adventure genre:
• soundtrack
• camerawork
• editing
• mise-en-scène.
Use examples from the extract. [20]
UNDERLINE EVERY TECHNICAL
WORD (FROM THE STARTER)
THAT YOU HAVE USED IN YOUR