Question 1: In what ways does your media product use,

develop or challenge forms and conventions of real products?

CHLOE LAM 9687

Camera work

Tracking shotThere are further uses of long shots in our opening sequence to further present the setting of the film to the audience. In addition to shooting a long shot, we had the camera track the movement of the main character as she walked across the frame. This is also typical of action-adventure films as this shot conveys motion and speed which is needed in the general narrative code of speed chase sequences.

Establishing shotThe opening sequence of our final product begins with an extreme wide shot and establishing shot. This is used frequently within action-adventure films to establish the atmosphere and time to the audience to show them the setting of the film. This use of establishing and extreme wide shot is also shown in ‘Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull’.

Over the shoulder shotThe over the shoulder shot (usually with extreme close up) is used frequently within action adventure films to present finer and more specific details, usually a letter or a note. This is evident in the opening sequence of ‘The Hobbit’ and we attempted to use this technique within our final product with an over the shoulder shot of the map. The close up of this map also further connotes the element of adventure and journey which we wanted to portray to the audience. High angle shot (and framing)

We decided to use a high angle shot as this shot portrays the character as vulnerable due to the angle of the camera making her appear smaller while in the frame. High angle shots like thisare often used within this genre of films when the

odds seem to be stacked against the protagonist/hero and thus making the character(s) seem weaker and at risk. An example of this is evident in ‘The Avengers’. Additionally, the framing of this shot in terms of Rules of Thirds with the character being placed in the centre third of the frame signifies both her importance and also her isolation in this new world.

Low angle shot (and Dutch tilt)Our opening sequence ends on a low angle shot of the main character’s face. The low angle enlarges the character and her reaction to the audience as this mid-shot means that her body can cover a wide range of the frame, making her the centre of attention. Additionally, the use of canted angle/Dutch tilt suggests that uneasiness and a potential twisted change to the atmosphere thus far. The use of the canted angle is popularly used within the film ‘12 Monkeys’ in which this particular film technique connotes that something is wrong or a character is in danger.

Extreme close upThis is a very popular film technique which just about every action-adventure film must include. This makes audiences take complete notice on what is on the screen and this can further suggest the subject of the frame’s importance in the overall plot of the film and also its significance to the character. This is shown within our opening sequence as when the character runs towards the water, it cuts to an extreme close up to the surface of the slightly iced water. On the second cut to this shot, after the character runs through, a face of who is implied to be the antagonist appears in the water, looking up at the girl. This was intended to suggest this new character’s importance within the plot of the film.

Colour and lightingHigh-key lightingHigh-key lighting is extremely popular within action adventure films. This lighting enhances and highlights the saturated primary colours which are part of the codes and conventions within the genre. We were able to achieve this within our own film as we took advantage of natural sunlight as we filmed the majority of the opening sequence in the morning.

Colour (post production)As the use of vivid primary colours are so important within the conventions of action-adventure films, we ensured to incorporate this within our own film. DEVELOPMENTHowever, we further developed this as we were required to portray the second location of the film as other worldly and vastly different from the mundane setting of the first location. We were able to achieve this by using the ‘Teal and Orange’ filter in Final Cut Pro. This filter enhanced the blue and green hues within the piece beautifully and vividly.

DEVELOPMENTWe further developed the use of light in the final scene of our piece as Jessica retreats from a place of high-key lighting into a dark, shadowed area, causing the shadow to fall on her face. We did the intentionally to foreshadow danger in her path.

TitlesThe research collected from my title-analysis in my research and planning section of my coursework was the basis of the titles we used within our final product. From that research, we were able to come up with what we believed would be the most effective titles including its font style and colour. We also planned where these titles would be positioned on the screen as well as how they appeared and left the frame and the duration of these titles on screen.

FontWe initially used the font ‘American Typewriter’ on Final Cut Pro as a basic guideline for the positioning of the titles in the rough edits of the film and were toying on the idea of using it for the final version of the opening sequence. But we found that that particular may have been too safe and boring to be used for the entirety of the titles although it is used for the production and distribution companies as well as the position/job of the crew. I then came across the font ‘St Charles’ that was free

and unlicensed online. This font was cursive and had the nuance of an olden time and other worldly embedded within it. This is because this style connotes a feel of carefully handcrafted calligraphy which is typical of action-adventure films based around a fantastical theme. This font also reminded me of the calligraphic font style seen in the opening titles of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ which I studied within the research and planning section of my blog.

PositioningThe titles in our opening sequence change position quite frequently. This is also common within action-adventure films. The change in position makes the audience follow the titles as they appear on screen and thus keep their attention as they are required to read and stay alert with the movement.

TransitionA common transition uses to present titles in title sequences of action-adventure films are fades. We also used this within

Additionally, we ensured that the titles appeared in appropriate positions in the frame so that any action simultaneously occurring in the background would not be obstructed. This is similar to the titles in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’

our film as the title fade onto the screen and also fades to disappear from the frame. Another popular form of action-adventure titles are that the titles appear or a disappear with a movement/action of the character on screen. This was seen in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ and also within our own film as the word ‘presents’ in the second shot of the sequence left the frame as the boot came down. Additionally, the main title, ‘Into the Heart of Leda’ disappears with a beam of light that travels across the screen.

Colour The colour we chose for our font was a basic white. This is typical of action-adventure films as this bold colour contrasts the images on the screen at the same time. The rather abrupt contrast of the colour of the font with the background action signifies the theme of reality versus fantasy which is central within our film.In addition, our titles are presented on top of action which is a very common convention of the action-adventure genre.

Main titleThe main title of the film, ‘Into the Heart of Leda’ is capitalised and is positioned in the middle of the frame and stretched from one side to another. This makes the main titles really stand out against the background and also makes the audience focus on the title.

Furthermore, ‘Leda’ is a name from Greek mythology and this is also common within action-adventure films as there tends to be historical references throughout which can also highlight the motif of magical and mysterious objects such as the map in our own film.

Editing

CHALLENGE – Whip panAn editing technique we decided to use which challenged the general forms of a real action-adventure film was the whip pan upwards. This is when the camera moves abruptly in a given direction and all the images blur together at a fast rate to create a blurred effect. This tend to be a convention used within horror or thriller films but we used this within our own piece to imply that something dangerous would occur to the protagonist while they were in this new world.

Continuous editingWithin the action-adventure genre, most editing tends to be continuous with match-on action shots the most common. We achieved this within our own film as we had scenes which were filmed from two different angles and then edited to follow the same action or movement. For example, when Jessica first wakes up in the new world and when she runs through the water.

CGI/ Special EffectsCGI (Computer Generated Images) and special effects are a common convention in action-adventure films and are often included in these films in the form of explosions and sometimes characters. An example of this is explosions in ‘James Bond’ and the CGI of Groot in ‘Guardian of the Galaxy’.

There are two uses of special effects in our final product. The first is the goblin like face that appears in the water as the main character runs through and the second is in the final scene as a dark cloud/smoke begins to emerge above the character’s head. These were added through the ‘keyer’ function on Final Cut Pro.

SoundThe soundtrack in our final piece was constructed with 3 different pieces of music.

The first track used is serene and tranquil. This reflects the ‘calm before the storm’ element within our film.

The second piece of music cleverly builds tension and suspense with rises and falls throughout. This musical technique is imperative within action-adventure films and the most popular and renown use of this building music is probably in ‘James Bond’ films.

The third piece is the most dramatic and has a faster pace and beat than the previous two pieces. This is also typical of action adventure films such as ‘Star Wars’ which is well known for its use of dramatic and cinematic music.

CostumeIn terms of costume, the bright green coat of the main character, Jessica, made a clear statement to her character.

Its uniqueness gives the character an iconic appeal to which audiences can automatically associate this article of clothing with her. This is used within many action-adventure films, especially within franchises such as ‘The Lord of the Rings’ and ‘James Bond’.

Narrative

Good vs bad (Binary Oppositions)The generic convention of action-adventure films having a good versus evil force is evident in our opening sequence. The sweet and innocent looking protagonist contrasts to the rather sinister and unattractive antagonist who is suggested in the piece. This common form is seen within films such as ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’.

Object motifThis is a must for all action-adventure films and we included this within our own. The map is the magical object which is the catalyst to the action in our film. This object motif is seen in ‘Lord of the Rings’ with the ring. Journey/adventureWe achieve this through the use of the map and editing to which the character finds herself in a new world which is unlike her own. Additionally, the voice over suggests that the character is ‘escaping’ which alludes to the theme of adventure and partaking in a journey.

Narrative - Characters

CHALLENGEThe biggest challenge we made against the general codes and conventions of the action-adventure genre was the casting for our protagonist.

Our protagonist was a young female as compared to an older male character which is found across the genre. Examples include James Bond, Indiana Jones and Captain Jack Sparrow.

This challenge against the male-dominated genre was a risk that we kept in mind as the current market for the action-adventure genre is still currently over-run by males and they may not completely welcome the idea of a female protagonist. However, we decided to challenge the generic and restrictive gender role within the action-adventure genre as we wished to reach out to a wider target audience and show our audience that women can be as good and successful heroines as men who are heroes. To some extent, it can be said that we took some inspiration from Angelina Jolie’s ‘Lara Croft’ who was a female protagonist who succeeded in her adventures and tasks.