Media Studies: Action Genre Research

Action:

Action is one of the most common genres ever; and one of the best. There are reasons for it too. Action movies provide an excitement and thrill to viewers that keep them hooked. For decades, the action genre has been ruling the film industry. Some of the biggest movies ever - James Bond and Star Wars - are action films/series.

Content:

The content of action films tends to remain consistent throughout the entire genre. It usually consists of a (super)hero and a villain; with the latter having some issue with the hero. The storyline involves a multitude of fight/combat scenes, major stunts, intense car chases, etc. These different aspects continually keep the audience at the edge of their seat. Many major action films are a part of a series. Having multiple movies following a similar storyline with minor changes still keeps the viewer entertained. These consistent elements are what make up the action genre.

Production:

The production of action films is usually quite extensive. Directors use special effects, shot composition, lighting, etc. to reel in the viewers. For example, in the Jurassic Park series, the special effects is heavy in the creation of the dinosaurs. Directions tend to use long shots in action films as they can make a scene seem bigger, more important. Also, action films have a lot of jump cuts. The repeated cuts provide an element of thrill, suspense, and rising intensity as they become more frequent. Sound is used as a production technique as "hype songs" intensify what is appearing on screen. Action movies need an intricate production to capture the essence of the genre.

Marketing:

Action is one of, if not the highest grossing genre. The production cost of action movies are usually very high, but it is made up for the possible BILLIONS of dollars they can bring in. Certain marketing techniques are used to generate this much money. Big-name actors are cast as leads and therefore plastered on posters, billboards, and social media. This attracts attention to the film and gets people enthusiastic to see it. Commercials/trailers are also used to market action films. Action trailers are usually intense clips showcasing the movie. As mentioned previously, the use of multiple movies in a series brings in even more revenue. People get hooked by a movie, invest time in the characters, and want to see more, so a sequel is made, collecting even more money.

Examples:

Avengers: Infinity War (2018) was one of the biggest action movies of the last decade. The movie picks up in an already set story introduced by the Marvel Cinematic Universe. This movie was filled with action: hand-on-hand combat. fights using sorcery, guns and blasts. The movie also had an intriguing storyline that kept all fans enthralled from start to finish. The end of this movie also set up a sequel (Avengers: Endgame) which made everyone want to see this movie first.

Star Trek: Beyond (2016) was action-packed sci-fi film. This film follows another pre-set universe (Star Trek) and it serves as the third movie in its respective series. The movie sees the crew of a starship get stranded on a mysterious island. Blaster fights, combat, and suspense all contribute to action in this film.