Action genre conventions By Alex Campbell

Setting Often action films are set in built up cities, with large buildings and office blocks. This would connote a lot of people, in a busy place where anything could happen. Sometimes action films are set in the countryside, for example The Last Stand, but usually small towns in the countryside are the setting for a horror film.

Iconography and Themes Guns- gunfight scenes, murder, assassination etc. Car chases- fast paced action Explosions- connotes drama and evil Police- showing an emergency Bad v evil- typical convention as well as icon Fast paced feel- keeping audience hooked Race against time- generally to stop something happening etc. Blood- coming from all the fighting High emotion moments- man and woman often grow close and fall in love etc.

Characters Usually there is one main character that acts as the hero, or sometimes it can be a pair. They will have others helping them. There will be one main villain with accomplices, often the main villain isn't involved in much of the action until the end of the film. It is quite frequent that there is the heroes family/friends/wife or girlfriend involved, to give a bit of an emotional connection.

Propps Character Roles The characters in action films can be identified using Propps character roles. The Hero or Anti-hero - The central protagonist who drives the story forward on some kind of quest in return for a reward. The Villain - The Antagonist who seeks riches, power, glory. Tries to stop the Hero in his quest. May have started the disruption. The Princess - Acts as a reward for the Hero for succeeding. May need to be rescued. May be quite a passive character. The Princess’ father - Gives the task to the hero, identifies the false hero. The Dispatcher - Makes the lack known and sends the hero off The False hero - Takes credit for the hero’s actions or tries to marry the princess The Donor or Mentor - Prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object. The Helper - Helps the hero in the quest. Could be a side-kick.

Narrative Structure Most action films follow Todorovs narrative theory. There is an equilibrium, disruption to equilibrium, a recognition of disruption, an attempt to repair disruption, and a return to equilibrium. Quite often there is a change when it returns to equilibrium, a couple might have got back together or the hero may have got closer to his family.