This document discusses conventions used in the genre of action-comedy films. It summarizes that the film aimed to keep conventions of action films but avoid excessive displays of masculinity. It showed masculinity through characters' actions and words rather than physicality. It also discusses camera techniques used in action sequences, such as a stationary tripod camera rather than a handheld camera to ensure the audience can see what is happening clearly.

1. My Media Product: Use/Development of conventions

2. Genre As it’s genre is ‘action-comedy’, we decided to keep the conventions of an action film (however, keep it from turning into an extreme action film, which usually involves massive guns, explosions, and men showing off their ‘athletic’ bodies, which are conventional representations of masculinity (Actors guilty of this include Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone and Matt Damon))

3. Due to the lack of actors willing to expose their ‘manly’ pectorals, and the fact that we had a time limit in which to relay the whole story, our fight scene was decidedly short, but well played by our actors. Instead of displaying masculinity through their physical finesse, we decided to show their masculinity through their actions and words, such as Arjun attempting to be the ‘lone hero’, confident he can take on the villains himself. This could also be linked to age, as, being young, it is conventional for younger males to be headstrong and charge right in.

4. Above, we have a shot from another action sequence, this time a chase scene, where one of the villains is trying to make a break for a possible getaway vehicle. Next to it is a shot from the chase sequence in ‘RocknRolla’, where the roles are reversed as the hero runs away. Instead of a technique used in the ‘RocknRolla’ chase, which is having a handheld camera follow the characters whilst jerking about, we have our camera set upon a tri-pod, with minimal ‘jiggling’ to ensure the audience see exactly what is going on.

5. Here are two still frames of part of the action chase-scene. It was one of the reasons I had the camera stationary there. As the villain approaches the end of the alley, it looks like he is going to make it. However, he stops, and attempts to flee up the fire escape; from what, we cannot tell as he is blocking our view. As he moves upwards, we catch a glimpse of what has made him change course; another man, who has appeared around the corner to stop him. The use of this camera angle allows us not to see the hero until the very last moment, which builds suspense as to the question; Will he get away?

6. Keeping to the conventions of an action film, we have action sequences, such as the one above, where I have a gunshot. Guns are very much a convention of a modern action film, as they are effective weapons to use in fights (even in close combat, as shown by Christian Bale in Equilibrium.)