QE Media

Below is an example answer for Question 2: Explain how each of the following is used to create effects that fit the action adventure genre: Soundtrack , Camerawork, Editing, Mise-en-scene  [20 marks].  See if you can identify whether it is a good response and how many marks it would be awarded.

 

Soundtrack:

At the beginning of the sequence we can hear heavy beats of a drum, which we associate with a war drum being played as the battle is about to begin. During the fight scene, the music is orchestral and anxious, playing dramatic notes quickly and at the part where Dagonet is lying on the ground, the orchestra plays a melodic, minor piece with violins, which is usually associated with sadness and connotes the loss felt by our protagonists.

 

Camerawork

During the fight, the camera angle is mostly hand-held, when filming the antagonists to show they are evil and chaotic. Since there are less of Arthur’s group close-ups are used with steadicam to show they are central characters and their emotions are clearly demonstrated as being brave and ready to fight to the death if needs be.

Camera work is crucial in the sequence it starts with bird-eye views to show the different sides and the size of each to show the protagonists as being hugely outnumbered and their position as the 'underdogs'.

When Cynric’s group advances, the camera starts at the groups feet, and tilts up towards their heads to get a full view of them and along with the deadly music suggests that it wouldn’t be a smart idea to proceed.

 

Editing:

CGI is used for the underwater worm's eye view, it shows the ice gradually cracking to warn the audience that soon there will be chaos.  It also makes it clear to the audience that the protagonists face a race against the clock as they may die as a result of the ice breaking.

Along with camera-work editing is fast and snappy, cutting from the chaos of the antagonists defeat to the expressions and sorrow from Arthur’s group.

It also shows exactly what each central character is doing and how they feel. These straight cuts create a sense that the viewer is actually there, and know what is happening all at once. 

 

Mise-en-scene:

The mise-en-scene of the sequence is dark, gloomy lighting which contrasts with the glistening snow, which possibly connotes good vs. evil, a key narrative point.

The costumes create a sense of time, showing that the movie is based in the Arthurian times, not present day. The means of violence also show the time setting, with arrows and axes being the primary weapons to reinforce the threat of death or injury as a result of the conflict.

The protagonists wear nice dresses and shirts in blues and blacks, While the antagonists wear fading and ragged browns. This, along with their tattered flags, suggests that they are more savage and brutal.

 

What about this response for Question 3: Discuss the ways in which people and/or war are represented in the extract  [20 marks].  See if you can identify whether it is a good response and how many marks it would be awarded.

 

The antagonists side are seen as scruffy, unattractive and using senseless violence compared to the strategic, clean and brave side of the protagonists, it gives the audience a clear picture of who is evil and who is good.

Guinevere is also seen as brave, even though she is female

Lancelot makes a remark about her being scared, she cleverly retorts back, which shows her as cunning and having no fear.

She is also a good archer, as she kills several opposing men, holding her place showing that she is just as good as the men. She is no damsel in distress typically the role of women in action adventure genre.

The war is shown as chaotic and fast, so that the action convention can be met.

While the protagonists use clever ways in which to win, the antagonists use senseless violence in hopes of defeating Arthur’s group.

The leaders are also clearly pointed out. Arthur gave the first command, as did Cynric.

Comparing the two groups the protagonists are ugly and unintelligent showing two very different people fighting an action packed battle and meeting the genre conventions for the action-adventure genre.