L13 - Action Adventure – Stereotypes in Action Adventure films

Monday 22nd April 2013

Why?

Aims & Objectives

• Re-cap prior learning of important areas covered last lesson.

• Introduce some of the areas surrounding Stereotypes and what you would expect from the genre – we will analyse this in a sequence from the genre.

• Review the learning.

So you are prepared for the Exam on June 6th!

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Question 2) - Genre

On your mini-white boards YOU MUST write down ONE expectation you would have from an Action-Adventure film for EACH of these technical areas.

For example – Mise-en-scene = Setting to be dystopian in representing the danger the hero faces when trying to defeat the ‘villain’.

Extension – YOU COULD write more than ONE expectation for EACH of these technical areas

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Question 2) - Genre

What theory SHOULD refer to in this question and why?

The question WILL ask you to consider how EACH of the technical features “create effects that fit the action adventure genre”. (OCR)

Steve Neale – “Genre’s are instances of repetition and difference”

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Question 2) - Genre

We are going to watch a scene from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981) Dir. Steven Spielberg ONCE.

YOU MUST identify at least ONE example form each of the features that “fit the action adventure genre”.

YOU SHOULD then explain (briefly) how this example “effects” the audience.

YOU COULD identify more than ONE example.

FEEDBACK

What is a stereotype?Question 3) - Representation

A widely held but fixed version of someone, somewhere or something – sometimes this exaggerated in the media to meet the needs of a passive audience.

Stereotypes in Action-Adventure films:

With the person next to you, YOU MUST come up with x3 stereotypes you would expect to see in an Action-Adventure film.

FEEDBACK

Stereotypes in Action-Adventure FilmsYOU MUST write these down as you are going to identify them in a moment form the same sequence from ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ (1981) Dir. Steven Spielberg

• Narrative - Usually based around the Hero v Villain narrative theme.

• Gender and Nationality - The hero is usually American, strong and resourceful and conveys stereotypically masculine traits..

• Gender - The hero often protects vulnerable and/or submissive women from harm..

• Gender and Nationality - The ‘villain’ (Propp) is usually someone (male or female) who conveys obvious qualities such as dark clothing, physical deformities OR speaks with a foreign accent.

• Ethnicity - The American heroine will often be white.

If these are challenged in any way, then YOU MUST comment on this and say how it is “anti-stereotyping” the character.

What is a stereotype?Question 3) - Representation

YOU MUST watch the scene again and comment on HOW stereotypes are represented and/or challenged for the audience.

YOU SHOULD make notes based on the areas you have just written down and be prepared to provide feedback to the rest of the class.

FEEDBACK

• Narrative - Usually based around the Hero v Villain narrative theme.

• Gender and Nationality - The hero is usually American, strong and resourceful and conveys stereotypically masculine traits..

• Gender - The hero often protects vulnerable and/or submissive women from harm..

• Gender and Nationality - The ‘villain’ (Propp) is usually someone (male or female) who conveys obvious qualities such as dark clothing, physical deformities OR speaks with a foreign accent.

• Ethnicity - The American heroine will often be white.

Indiana Jones uses strength and intelligence to defeat the ‘villain’ – however Marion declaring “I’m your God damn partner!” connotes show he couldn’t have done it without her.

Jones uses his fists and determination to succeed. What else occurs that is stereotypical OR presents an example of anti-stereotyping?

Marion is clearly vulnerable to begin with holds her own in trying to defeat the Nazi villain and his accomplices. Jones uses a weapon to save her though.

This is true.

The incidental music and accent anchor one another to ‘signify’ the danger this villain poses to Marion, however it takes her a while to realize this!

Homework:

Produce an answer to the Exam question:

Due: Tomorrow – Tuesday 23rd April 2013