Genre Research: Action

 Earlier this year, I had to create a PowerPoint on a genre of my choice. We were also given the choice to work with a partner for this project. Hence, for this project, I worked with my best friend. I talk to her every day and we are in the same class, so this was the best option. When picking our genre, we chose “action” as this is the type of genre we seem to watch a lot in the past year in movies and shows. When doing our research we watched and looked at trusted websites to acquire knowledge of what methods or materials are used to produce action movies. We researched what lightings are used in action movies. We also researched the angles that are used in action movies. We also researched the camera movements, mise en scenes, and sounds involved/used in action movies. From the information we obtained, some common lighting in the genre of action is low-key lighting and backlighting. Low-key lighting emphasizes dark tones and shadows and creates an ominous and suspenseful mood. Backlighting separates an actor or object from the background and helps the frame feel more three-dimensional. Common angles used in action often include low angle and wide-angle shots. A low-angle shot is from anywhere below the eye line and can be used to make a character seem powerful or vulnerable and increase the perceived height of an object. A wide shot shows the entire object or person and their surroundings. Common camera movements include tracking shots and handheld shots. Handheld shots create high intensity or chaos, establish subjectivity, and create intimacy between characters. Tracking shots often follow a traveling subject but can be used to show off the scene. Mise en scene includes the costumes, props, location, etc. Costumes in action movies or shows are typically either a police uniform, or military, or may also be the typical black leather jacket with black pants for bad boys. Props could be guns, a stove, or books. The location could be at a restaurant, police station, or underground mafia house. Sounds that may be heard in action films often include gunshots, cars, or explosions.