Codes and Conventions of Action/Thriller Hybrid Film

Narrative:This genre would have a restricted narrative and use objective character identification, as it would allow the audience to solve the problems whilst watching the film, it includes them in the film. The use of Propps and Todorovs theory of narrative are commonly used in mainstream films which help create the plot or story. The conventions would also include Allan Camerons modular narratives of anachronic and forking-path. The use of flashbacks/flash-forwards (anachronic) as this would denote various information to the audience, which would help to develop the story. The use of forking-path would denote different outcomes to the audience which would mean that they have to think which is the most likely to occur.

Camera:The most common camera movements in and action\thriller hybrid would be the steadycam. This would denote that the audience are almost in the action and are moving along with the characters (track). It is also likely that a canted angle would be used, as this would create a sense of disorientation, which would make it more difficult for the audience to solve the puzzles before the end of the film.

Editing:The editing techniques used in an action/thriller film are eye line match, crosscutting, focus pull, jump cuts, time remapping, zolly shots. The eye line shot would denote to the audience what the character is looking at. This would allow them to get clues throughout the film. The use of crosscutting would be used to create tension in the film. Focus pull would be used to confuse the character and allow them to denote features they may not have been able to denote before. The use of jump cuts would disorient the audience and see the characters from different point of views, which may reveal clues. Time remapping may be used in action sequences to connote emphasise of a certain characters strength. The use of zolly shots would be used to connote something out of the ordinary occurring, which would engage the audience.

Lighting:The lighting most commonly used in action\thriller films would be a mixture of both high and low key lighting. For example when there is an action sequence there would be high key lighting so the audience can clearly denote what is happening, when showing the antagonist there would be the use of low key lighting so the audience are unable to denote the villain early in the film.

Characters:The general narrative of action/thriller films always involves a protagonist (Propps theory of narrative, hero) and an antagonist (Propps theory of narrative, villain). The antagonist usually challenges the protagonist and, this creates tension and makes the audience want to see who will end up victorious. The protagonist normally has to solve some form of puzzles or clues to save the day. In action/thriller movies there is more likely to be a false hero (Propps theory of narrative). This would make it more difficult for the audience to unravel the plot therefore keeping them engaged with the film.

Sound:In action\thriller films there is a mixture of both diegetic and non-diegetic music. The music is generally synchronous however it can be either parallel or contrapuntal. This is because in some films the non-diegetic sound is a soundtrack of light-hearted music (contrapuntal). This is used to create a humorous atmosphere and can signify the psychological depth of the character.

Costumes:The costumes used in action/thriller films are usually casual clothes but can be professional sometimes. The colours used are normally quite dark, this is to synergize with the genre.