Codes and Conventions of the Action genre:
- 12/15 certificate, maximising youth audiences
- Often hybridised with Sci Fi/Adventure/Romance
- Major Hollywood studio produced and distributed
- High production values including CGI FX. Fast paced editing
- Classic Hollywood 3 act narrative structure
- Predictable chain of events – cause and effect
- Single stranded, linear, closed narrative
- Dramatic non-diegetic sound
- More narrative action codes than enigma codes
- Clear binary oppositions
- Star Marketing: Audience identification/expectations
- Romantic sub-plot, Humorous dialouge
- Relationships with new technology (youth audiences)
- Use of close up/Insert shots/High Key Lighting
- Dominant representation of gender: male/female action hero.
- Mulvey’s male gaze contemporary female gaze can apply
- Propp’s theories applicable
- Uses and Gratifications theory can be mapped onto Action Films
Which of these codes and conventions
do you see in the trailer?
'The Expendables' trailer is the full of action and as you can see has conformed to a lot of action genre conventions, highlighted above in green and explained below.
12/15 Certificate:
The age certificate of this movie is a 15, which suggests the film is likely to include an assortion of bad language, violence, and scenes not appropriate for younger ages. The film being 15+ means the viewers could be any ages then upwards, although it may attract action and adventure film fanatics who will enjoy the film based on the genre.
Major Hollywood studio produced and distributed:
'The Expendables' is produced by Lionsgate, a well known film distributor associated with major Hollywood studios. Automatically setting audience expectations to know the film will be commendable and a good watch. Lionsgate are known for producing lots of genre films however there reputation for action/thriller films is a good one, therefore 'The Expendables' will be released with this already built up, good reputation.
High production values including CGI FX. Fast paced editing
The trailer itself reflects the high production values and costs which have gone into the production of the film. The explosions for one, show this and also represent the action genre as its a typical thing to happen.
Predictable chain of events – cause and effect
Firstlym, we are presented with an equilibrium, shortly after the peace is disrupted, and near the end, order is restored as they re-create an equilibrium. This is Todrov's theory of narrative. The trailer shows this is true, mainly through the use of diegetic dialouge between the characters.
Single stranded, linear, closed narrative
The trailer doesn't show an obvious beginning, middle and end, although we would assume its in a linear order. If it had been of the thriller genre the snippets would have been sporadic to shock and unsettle the viewer- a typical convention.
Dramatic non-diegetic sound
A voice over by the famous 'voice of god' Don LaFontaine is used at the beginning of the trailer, it straight away brings intensity and builds suspense to the trailer, making the audience feel excited to watch it. The sudden sound of gun shots shocks the viewer and adds to the drama and foreshadows scenes of action. Fast paced music is matched to the jump cuts of snippets from the film, which is dramatic and powerful.
More narrative action codes than enigma codes
The narrative is quite straight forward, it doesn't leave much mystery for the audience, instead its all about the action and adventure.
Clear binary oppositions
Binary opposites presented in the text through ethnicity. The Muslims are the villans and are portraying this through terrorism, which makes them immediately unlikable were as the white people are seen as the heros, doing bad things and being violent but to protect people.
Star Marketing: Audience identification/expectations
The trailer has cast their protagonists specifically, choosing actors who have been previously associated with the action genre. This will help create pre-representaions of roles within the film and also its likely to give the film higher credits before audiences have even watched it. Action fanatics are likely to pre-judge the film based on iconic actors and the parts they played in previous movies. Sylvester Stallone for instance, is an iconic for the action genre as he starred in 'Rocky'.
Younger audiences could view the technology used as fantasies due to it being unrealistic, the amount of guns and explosions is something they're only exposed to on technology, not real life.
Use of close up/Insert shots/High Key Lighting
Close ups are used to make the audience look at something in more detail and make it the central focus for the viewers gaze, for example, a close up of the text 'Expendables' on the motor bike. Close ups are used on the characters so we are more able to recognize them. Lighting is used to help with this because it highlights them so they appear as important, significant characters. During explosions, high key lighting is used a lot as the fire is bright and sometimes low key lighting is used because they want to create an eerie, creepy atmosphere.
Dominant representation of gender: male
The trailer mainly features male characters, this is because they're stereotypically the aggressive, violent, brave ones therefore they feature mainly in action films because that's what action films entail. The only female in the trailer, is shown as the damsel in distress, relying on the men to help her, portraying them as hero's and more superior. The shot of her is of her kissing a man, this presents her as merely a sexual object, making her weak and inferior.
Propps theory does apply to the film and its made very obvious who plays what roles. There is however, more than one hero, but this makes the movie more exciting and could involve the audience more so they can make a preference as to who is their favorite.
Uses and Gratifications theory can be mapped onto Action Films
The trailer presents us with a sense of escapism through the use of weapons and explosives, this is not something that people are exposed to in the real world on an everyday basis. The masculine figures of the film could also make the audience look up to them and aspire to be like them.
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