1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre. Use examples from the extract. [10 marks]
The conventions for a an action hero are epitomised through the protagonist of this scene, Sgt. James. A primary example of this is his act of risking his own life to free the civilian from the bomb vest. It depicts him as brave in addition to confidently skilful; even though it is agreed the locks on the vest are almost impossible to open this character appears to make some headway. Like the vast majority of male action protagonists, he is shown to be self assured and powerful- brought out when he tells the civilian, 'put your hands behind you head or I will you'.
On the other hand, the civilian in the scene also fits into the action/adventure genre as victim figure. As a result, this character enhances the heroic attributes of Sgt. James by contrasting him. He is entirely helpless in situation- a fact enhanced by the dominant force (the Americans) making him kneel down with his hands behind his head. This simultaneously evokes the conventional sense of sympathy the audience feel for victims and makes the protagonist appear comparatively stronger and typically heroic- Sgt James tries to rescue him without incentive, causing the audience to identify as a selfless and very courageous character. Another way in which he is shown as inferior is his growing panic throughout the scene, whereas the hero is relatively calm.
Notes:
Character - Sgt. James- fits action hero conventions- risks his own life to do the right thing. Is shown to be skilful, masculine and dominant (when he threatens to shoot the civilian if he doesn't put his hands behind his head), and a good person.
Second character- Man locked in bomb vest. Helpless in this situation, needs to be saved by hero- shows their best stengths as a contrast. Passiveness contrasts hero's quick thinking. Panic contrasts hero's practicality.
Q2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects
- soundtrack
- editing
- mise en scene
- camerawork
Use examples from the extract. [30 marks]
Soundtrack:
There is non digetic soundtrack in this scene. By having no music, at naturalistic atmosphere is created. This is sometimes used in action films set in the present day and that want to send a message about a controversial issue. By having no soundtrack to give the scene a more cinematic feel, the events on scene are made to look gritty, and hard hitting to audience members who are unfamiliar with warfare. With no distractions, all the focus is put on actors and the documentary feel that is portrayed, as opposed to a typical Hollywood film.
Editing:
At the beginning of the scene, the editing is set as a fast but regular pace, each clip being shown for a few seconds before quickly cutting to the next one. This is a tension building technique that illustrates the scene from the different characters' point of view. The suspense is created because it creates the impression that time is slowing down, which contradicts the soldiers' fast speaking and rapid decisions.
When civilian is made to get down on his knees and Sgt James approaches, the editing of the clips slows down. This allows the audience to take in the scene and gain a better appreciation of civilian's situation, helping them develop a sense of empathy which adds a harder hitting impact to the following events. Fast pace editing is again employed as Sgt James tries to free the civilian from the bomb vest, again conveying a sense of panic that translates to the audience. Along with this technique, cross cutting is utilized to create a dramatic portrayal of the expressions of sgt James an the civilian almost at the same time. In the final clips, the editing is again slowed to show that Sgt is helpless, the inevitable is going to happen and to harshly depict the civilian's realization of this. Jump cuts are used in this extract, which are disconcerting in themselves as they guide the audience's attention to each dramatic event very quickly- they punctuate the drama of the scene.
Mise en scene:
The scene is set in what appears to be the center of a deserted town in a middle eastern country. Scratched paintwork, derelict buildings and the broken glass and debris from buildings combine to create the modern image of a warzone. The actors playing soldiers are dressed in realistic uniforms, whilst the civilian- who represents an ordinary human being- is dressed in a suit to set him apart from the war and terrorism; instead portraying an innocent, victimized character. Props used are mainly weapons which are the catalyst for action. The radios convey the American army as the 'good' side in that they are all connected, so they act as one. Also featured are the industrial pliers Sgt James tries to free the civilian with; the sheer size of them adds drama to the scene and they amplify the the embodiment of the action protagonist's strategic thinking as well as bravery and compassion.
Camerawork:
The extract begins of the close up of a soldier's face and gun to concisely establish what the oncoming scene will entail. The camera then cuts to a longshot of the civilian, showing he his distance away from the army as well as briefly summarizing the set as a derelict town. The camera here is shaky, as if a reporter or someone involved is holding it instead of a film maker. This helps the scene's realism. Still shaking slightly, the camera then rapidly pans round to show a couple of other shoulders, which gives the same effect. This technique is continuously seen throughout the extract. When the camera has panned to show the civilian and shoulders, an birds eye shot is used as a summary of entire set up. As the location of the warzone appears on screen, the camera zooms out, still in a bird's eye shot. This gives the impression the person who is filming is watching from above, which a long with the unsteady, amateur-looking shot adds a sense of ominousness. Later on in the extract, there is a series of close ups in which the camera cuts from each subject (the two main soldiers and civilian) by zooming in on their faces. This helps make their expressions more convincing- tension is built because the only indication the audience have of what is going on is their facial expressions.
There is non digetic soundtrack in this scene. By having no music, at naturalistic atmosphere is created. This is sometimes used in action films set in the present day and that want to send a message about a controversial issue. By having no soundtrack to give the scene a more cinematic feel, the events on scene are made to look gritty, and hard hitting to audience members who are unfamiliar with warfare. With no distractions, all the focus is put on actors and the documentary feel that is portrayed, as opposed to a typical Hollywood film.
Editing:
At the beginning of the scene, the editing is set as a fast but regular pace, each clip being shown for a few seconds before quickly cutting to the next one. This is a tension building technique that illustrates the scene from the different characters' point of view. The suspense is created because it creates the impression that time is slowing down, which contradicts the soldiers' fast speaking and rapid decisions.
When civilian is made to get down on his knees and Sgt James approaches, the editing of the clips slows down. This allows the audience to take in the scene and gain a better appreciation of civilian's situation, helping them develop a sense of empathy which adds a harder hitting impact to the following events. Fast pace editing is again employed as Sgt James tries to free the civilian from the bomb vest, again conveying a sense of panic that translates to the audience. Along with this technique, cross cutting is utilized to create a dramatic portrayal of the expressions of sgt James an the civilian almost at the same time. In the final clips, the editing is again slowed to show that Sgt is helpless, the inevitable is going to happen and to harshly depict the civilian's realization of this. Jump cuts are used in this extract, which are disconcerting in themselves as they guide the audience's attention to each dramatic event very quickly- they punctuate the drama of the scene.
Mise en scene:
The scene is set in what appears to be the center of a deserted town in a middle eastern country. Scratched paintwork, derelict buildings and the broken glass and debris from buildings combine to create the modern image of a warzone. The actors playing soldiers are dressed in realistic uniforms, whilst the civilian- who represents an ordinary human being- is dressed in a suit to set him apart from the war and terrorism; instead portraying an innocent, victimized character. Props used are mainly weapons which are the catalyst for action. The radios convey the American army as the 'good' side in that they are all connected, so they act as one. Also featured are the industrial pliers Sgt James tries to free the civilian with; the sheer size of them adds drama to the scene and they amplify the the embodiment of the action protagonist's strategic thinking as well as bravery and compassion.
Camerawork:
The extract begins of the close up of a soldier's face and gun to concisely establish what the oncoming scene will entail. The camera then cuts to a longshot of the civilian, showing he his distance away from the army as well as briefly summarizing the set as a derelict town. The camera here is shaky, as if a reporter or someone involved is holding it instead of a film maker. This helps the scene's realism. Still shaking slightly, the camera then rapidly pans round to show a couple of other shoulders, which gives the same effect. This technique is continuously seen throughout the extract. When the camera has panned to show the civilian and shoulders, an birds eye shot is used as a summary of entire set up. As the location of the warzone appears on screen, the camera zooms out, still in a bird's eye shot. This gives the impression the person who is filming is watching from above, which a long with the unsteady, amateur-looking shot adds a sense of ominousness. Later on in the extract, there is a series of close ups in which the camera cuts from each subject (the two main soldiers and civilian) by zooming in on their faces. This helps make their expressions more convincing- tension is built because the only indication the audience have of what is going on is their facial expressions.
