COMBAT AND VIOLENCE

TYPES OF FIGHT SEQUENCE

Hand to hand combat –Matrix, Rocky, Sherlock Holmes

Traditional weapons – Martial Arts- The Karate Kid, The Last Samurai, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon

Military weapons – The Hurt Locker, Jar Head, Three Kings

Futuristic weapons – Avatar, Star Wars

Vehicles (with and on) see Skyfall, Top Gun

Special powers – Superhero genre, Matrix

Assassins – Bourne Identity, Shoot Em Up, Desperado

Discussion: Can you think of other types or examples?

NARRATIVE REASONS FOR COMBAT The conclusion of a chase sequence- Mission Impossible

A competition or contest – the Karate Kid

A fight to the death to end a war - Troy

To protect more vulnerable characters – Captain America

To save the world from an apocalyptic army/force – Avengers Assemble

To settle an argument – Face Off

Because of a misunderstanding - The Princess Bride

As part of a crime – Point Break, The Dark Knight

For fun – Fight Club

As a test for the hero/training – Batman Begins

Revenge - Taken

TASKUp date the list with films that you have watched recently:

The conclusion of a chase sequence-

A competition or contest –

A fight to the death to end a war –

To protect more vulnerable characters –

To save the world from an apocalyptic army/force –

To settle an argument –

Because of a misunderstanding –

As part of a crime –

For fun –

As a test for the hero/training –

Revenge –

Extension: Can you think of any other categories?

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldoAQtUp02A

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS

Question 1 Using this extract…

Explain two ways the characters/events in the extract fit the action adventure genre

Explanation 1

Explanation 2

Use the following questions as prompts for each technical area for question 2.

Camera angles and framing/shot types/movement

• How is the viewer invited to empathise with any particular character in the sequence? In what ways?

• What kinds of shots are the most prominent|? If close ups are used, what do they show and why?

Editing

• How does the editing contribute to the pace and drama?

• Are there other noticeable editing effects?

• Are there shots filmed at anything other than ‘normal’ speed? If so what effect does this have?

Cross cutting, action match, whip pan, racked focus, shot reverse shot, over cranking, under cranking

Sound -Listen to the sound mix carefully.

• What elements of the soundtrack seem to be most important (i.e. dialogue, ambient sound, music, specific sound effects)?

• Are any sounds exaggerated or amplified in volume?

• What kind of music is used in the sequence? Is it used throughout or introduced at a specific poit? Does it emphasise the action or contrast with it?

• Is silence used at all for effect?

Diegetic, non diegetic

Mise en scene and special effects

• Does the sequence seem real? What aspects contribute most to this?

• Are aspects of the sequence stylised or unrealistic? Does the film-maker attempt to convince us that what we are seeing is real?

• What elements of the mise en scene are intended to add to the intensity to add to the intensity of the visual experience (such as lighting, special effects, stunts, etc)?

• Comment on the nature of violence in the sequence. Is it graphically depicted? Are there elements of comedy?