Action-Adventure Films To gain knowledge of action adventure film codes and conventions To assess the representation of men and women in these films To determine audiences for action adventure films

What are the typical features of an action-adventure film?

Codes & Convention of Action-Adventure Films Adventure narrative Tightly woven stories – clear structure Central character on some sort of quest or mission Character hindered along the way by evil forces Humorous dialogue often used to diffuse tense situations Exotic locations which often create further challenges Usually a love interest of some sort Action narrative Heroes are thrown into a series of challenges Physical & mental Combat Chases A character with given resources is struggling against incredible odds Life threatening situations Villain Pursuit of object, person, or goal

Gender Traits Using the Venn diagram, place the character traits in the correct section: Men, Women, or both American (or Western) Patriotic Attractive to women Physically fit Confident Saves and protects the damsel in distress Courageous Sexually attractive Has a male sidekick White Heterosexual Independent Intelligent

Gender Character Traits Male Female Attractive to women Courageous Has a male sidekick Heterosexual Patriotic Physically fit Saves and protects the damsel in distress Both Confident Independent Intelligent Sexually attractive American (or Western) White/ Caucasian

Analysing Action-Adventure In groups, watch your Action-Adventure clip – Which Action-Adventure conventions are used? How is the male character portrayed? How is the female character portrayed? (Male Gaze Theory) Which of the four ideologies are used? Why? Can your clip belong to another genre/hybrid? If so, which one? ghttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vi5pdd7xHNI&list=PL1iW2LTJG-fyBl8ej7Ukq3Oix7ugtUADv – LotR https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYZsJYZVt5g&index=199&list=PL1iW2LTJG-fyBl8ej7Ukq3Oix7ugtUADv – King Kong https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJB3hqUsHDE&list=PL1iW2LTJG-fyBl8ej7Ukq3Oix7ugtUADv&index=190 – Batman Begins https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trPOKL7Nguo&list=PL1iW2LTJG-fyBl8ej7Ukq3Oix7ugtUADv&index=180 – Jurassic Park 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6aWxJ0cxD8c&list=PL1iW2LTJG-fyBl8ej7Ukq3Oix7ugtUADv&index=154 – Superman Returns https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ktMe0xclxA&list=PL1iW2LTJG-fyBl8ej7Ukq3Oix7ugtUADv&index=123 – Back to the Future 3 Table 1 – The Lord of the Rings Table 2 – King Kong Table 3 – Batman Begins Table 4 – Jurassic Park 3 Table 5 – Superman Returns Table 6 – Back to the Future 3

Action-Adventure Audience Who is the primary audience for action-adventure films, and how are their needs met? Who is the secondary audience for action-adventure films, and how are their needs met? Do action adventure-films alienate any members of the audience? If so, why?