Action

1. Action

2. What sorts of action are common in electronic narratives? • Fights • Fistfights • Battles • War films • Fantasy • Science Fiction • Chases • Car chases • Shootouts • Westerns • Disasters • Bombings

3. What is the role of action in electronic narratives? • Plot turning point • The outcome of the action often has a significant effect over future actions and events • Climaxes minor and major • Physical conflict/manifestation of conflict • Infuse emotion/excitement • Some of the most stirring video is based on action • Character development

4. The importance of action • The importance of action varies widely according to genre and plot • Action may not be very important (Sleepless in Seattle) or it may dominate the text (Eagle Eye/X-Men)

5. Action video/film • Many contemporary electronic narratives are driven by depictions of action • Popular with audiences • Blockbuster flicks • High budget • Can be very successful at the box office • Films/TV shows/Video games that emphasize action above other things are considered their own genre—“Action-adventure”

6. Good action • Generates suspense • Outcome hangs in the balance until the end of the sequence • Includes changing fortunes • Matches forces • Protagonist barely successful, if at all (cut the wire with 2 seconds left)

7. Generates surprise • Unexpected/random events, actions • Malevolent forces suddenly appear

8. Good action • Uses physiological means to draw attention • Quick cuts • Change of perspective • Loud/changing volume • Up tempo music • Captures the emotions of the characters

9. The downside: • Overemphasis on, or unnecessary use of, action may reduce or undermine character or plot development • Most common critique of action-oriented films

10. Common features of action scenes • Fast pacing • Rapid movement of characters and camera • Short shots/rapid change of camera position • Stunts • Extreme physical action • Often to the point of implausibility • Often unrealistic abilities on the part of the characters • Violence • Fights, weapons common • Extreme threat to protagonist

11. Common features of action scenes • Special effects • Pyrotechnics • Car chases/helicopter, jet action • Wounds, blood, etc. • Monsters/animals • Computer graphics/digital effects

12. Presenting action • Action sequences often require coordination among a number of actors, production people, special effects personnel, etc. • Very expensive—may only be able to shoot once • Destruction of props, etc. • Pyrotechnics are used up • Blocking and action of actors, cameras, etc. takes a great deal of time • Stunts are dangerous

13. Presenting action • Because of their expense and the difficulty of getting them right, many TV producers, film directors have moved toward computer-generated effects

14. Critical concerns over action • Does it fit with and support the overall narrative? • Critics often complain that too much focus on action undermines plot and/or character development • Is it compelling in its own right? • Is it plausible enough within the narrative frame? • Avoid leading audience to question what they see on the screen? • Is it too intense for the intended audience?