Narrative Themes & Issues L4 - Action Adventure – Narrative Themes & Issues Thursday 7th March 2013

Aims & Objectives Why? A02 – Re-cap prior learning Introduce some of the common narrative themes & issues presented in the genre. How does important Narrative and Representation theory apply to the genre. What impact does this representation have on a viewer? Deconstruct an example 3-5 minute sequence from the genre. Review the learning. A02 – Assess candidates’ ability to analyse and respond to a short, unseen moving image extract using media key concepts and appropriate terminology.

Re-cap what you know already – Starter 3 minutes YOU MUST fill in the gaps for the areas/key terms/theory we have covered so far – YOU SHOULD be learning these in preparation for the exam on June 6th! Extension: YOU COULD give examples of Action-Adventure texts/characters (where relevant) to back up your understanding.

“Whammo” (Joel Silver)

Nick Ro_ _ _ ck:   (20__): “Technology is not only changing the business of film making, but also the importance of s_____” d d i 10 tory

Wise Guy Tough Guy Name the character roles according to Yvonne Tasker (1993)

‘Monstrous Characters’ (Neale & Krutnik) - Examples

What does that “Quest” usually involve? CLUE! In Action-Adventure films the characters usually embark on a…. Quest What does that “Quest” usually involve?

This means there is a Beginning – Middle - End Narrative Theory – Action Adventure Genre Action Adventure texts follow a typical Hollywood structure – this is known as Linear structure. This means there is a Beginning – Middle - End Single stranded (Focuses on one theme/storyline/character) Involves a QUEST – for example race to find something or save someone. The narrative tends to be CLOSED – this denotes how the issues are resolved and everyone lives happily ever after.

Todorov’s 3 part narrative Beginning – Middle - End ‘Disequilibrium’ ‘New equilibrium’ ‘Equilibrium’

Character roles - Representation On your white boards, YOU MUST name x1 character role you would expect to see in an Action-Adventure movie according to Propp. YOU COULD name more than x1 and give examples from your own knowledge and exposure to the genre.

‘Lara Croft: Tomb Raider’ Stick the worksheet into your exercise book! (2001) Dir. Simon West You are going to watch the same scene from last lesson. YOU MUST: Identify x1 example (Verbal, non-verbal, technical code) of where EACH of Todorov’s 3 part narrative applies. YOU COULD consider what impact this has on the audience. Stick the worksheet into your exercise book!

FEEDBACK How and Where was Todorov’s 3 part narrative represented? How and Where was Propp’s character roles represented?

‘The Matrix’ (1999) Dir. Wachowski Brothers You are going to watch a scene where Todorov’s 3 part narrative and Propp’s character roles theory applies. YOU MUST complete the work sheet you have been given (A3) in pairs in identifying the following areas that YOU WILL have to analyse in the exam:

FEEDBACK Temporal Verisimilitude – Fictional and exaggerated? What impact do the 4 Technical areas have on the audience?

Prove what you have learnt– Plenary 3 minutes YOU MUST write down x2 theories you have learnt today. YOU SHOULD stick this on your screen. YOU COULD give examples of the 4 technical areas you need to know for the exam!