Genre Features

Hi!

Genre features are what you would typically expect in your standard action film, we have split these lists into different sections as there is a lot to take in!  

Editing:

-       Shots tend to be sharp and fast, especially in the battle/conflict/competition scenes.

-       Slow shots occasionally used to build up tension.

-       Sound effects (non-diegetic sound) usually plays a massive part in emphasizing the viewer’s experience, especially in an action film as there tends to be a lot of things clashing together/exploding for example.

Camera Angles:

-       A real mixture of long shots and close ups.

-       Again depending on the scene, if the director wants you to get inside the characters head, then maybe close ups would be appropriate, but if he wanted to provoke you thoughts about the overall moment and what the current situation is then he might implement some long shots.

Lighting:

-       Tends to be slightly darker and therefore more serious as unless it’s an action comedy, then the overall mood of the film won’t be a necessarily joyful one.

-       However again this may change due to the scene, as maybe during the fighting/competition scenes the contrast/saturation/brightness of the picture might change to match the general mood of what is going on.

Props:

-       Guns/knives/anything violent

-       Sunglasses

-       Watches

-       Smartphones

-       Expensive vehicles

-       Futuristic/clever technology

-       Sometimes the whole film can revolve around a prop and obtaining it.

Costuming:

-       Costuming usually depends on the tone of the film, but stereotypically for men:

-       Black clothing

-       Vests

-       Military look (belts with items attached/tank tops/boots/some sort of gun)

-       Always muscle showing when appropriate

-       Scars/injuries visible

-       Sunglasses to emphasize importance

-       For Women:

-       Tight, lycra clothing

-       Heels

-       Vibrant lipstick

-       Some sort of weapon attached with clothing

Characters:

-       Hero’s/’goodies

-       Villains/’baddies’

-       Side kick(s) of some form

-       Sometimes family involved

Storyline:

-       Being incredibly stereotypical, action films usually start with a bang, a fight, a death, a plot twist, something major that hits you right from the off and sets the tone for the film.

-       Then the middle section of the film tends to be the build up to the end, this part may consist of a few plot twists or even romance.

-       Then the final part of the film is usually the big finale, a fight/conflict or competition, something along those lines. This usually ending in the good guys/hero’s coming out on top.

See you soon!