Research: Genre

My group and I have decided to create a film opening in the Action/Thriller genre. Here is my research into the codes and conventions used in openings of texts in this genre.


Typical conventions from the Action/Thriller genre:

Films from this genre usually include contrabands, explosions, martial arts fight scenes and dramatic music that creates suspense for the audience. This film is most likely to use a lot of different types of camera angles and most likely they would try to develop new techniques of camera shots and angles. The narrative is normally about a hero fighting against high odds (the hero is always outnumbered by the villains). These movies are often in life-threatening situations where the hero always ends up winning. The film opening is often used to introduce the main character and the villain with introducing the main problem of the film.

John Wick: Chapter 4, 2023

Produced By: Summit Entertainment Thunder Road Films 87Eleven Entertainment

Distributed by: Lionsgate

Genre / Sub Genre: The film John Wick 4 has a genre of Action/Thriller with a sub-genre of Mystery.

What conventions does it conform to? 
The conventions that the opening scene conforms to are the punches that John Wick is throwing onto the punching bag in the close-up shot to create detailed information showing blood splattering from his fist onto the bag. The film also played with dark lighting which implies that something dangerous is coming using long shots of the environment to show the full length of the setting of the film. It also hints someone in the dark is going to emerge after being concealed for a long time.

What conventions does it subvert to?
The convention that subverts the opening scene is the sunset scene at the start. Typically, an opening scene would introduce a morning scene to show the character starting on a new day, but this shows a character training himself, which creates hermeneutic codes as we don't know what he is training himself for.

What representations are there? (people/places/events) What technical elements are used to give meaning to the representation? The scene opens with a close-up shot of a man punching a wooden training dummy with blood splattering on it. It adds an effective emotion to the scene. The next scene used is an establishing shot of the city to introduce a new scene and tell the viewer where the action is happening. It then cuts back to the first scene of the main character punching the wooden training dummy again, this creates an add-up of the same emotions to the audience which is suspense. Another scene is shown on a low angle of a different man coming down the stairs. This conveys a sense of vulnerability or loneliness to show how isolated the place is from society. Again it cuts and repeats to scene 1. The next scene is where the character enters a tunnel after descending down the stairs through a long shot. This shot shows the entire subject from head to toe and places that subject in relation to their surroundings. The tight tunnel created can symbolize isolation. When characters are in such spaces, they often feel cut off from help or escape routes, heightening the emotional stakes. This sense of being trapped can resonate with viewers, making them empathize with the characters' plight. Every new scene shifted, there will always be scene 1 (man punching the wooden dummy) which adds tension and suspense to the opening scene. In the last scene, the man approaches a room and ignites a fire to light up the room where it is shown the main character punching the wooden dummy. The fire in the scene symbolizes danger and tension as someone in danger emerges from the darkness. Once the main character is displayed for a few seconds, the fire is then put out to end the trailer to create a sense of curiosity in the audience.

Uncharted, 2022

Produced by: Columbia Pictures

Distributed by: Sony Pictures Releasing

Genre / Sub Genre: Action/ Adventure/ Thriller/ Comedy

What conventions does it conform to?
The film follows the traditional action-adventure formula by including a treasure hunt concept, a thrilling sequence with intense action, and a compelling protagonist. The main character demonstrates his agility and fast thinking in this scene, which are characteristics common to the genre. The main character is introduced as a streetwise burglar, a typical action movie cliché, convincingly. This is consistent with the genre's propensity to present people with a distinct skill set and a questionable moral history.

What conventions does it subvert to?
The usage of unexpected Context of putting the main character in danger from the outset—hanging from a cargo plane—the scene subverts expectations in the scene. The opening scene challenges the traditional pacing of action films, which typically begins with exposition before increasing to action, by throwing the audience into turmoil right away rather than building to the action gradually. Another way the movie defies genre norms is by using humour in moments of suspense. Uncharted has humorous moments that reflect the character's personality and offer comic relief, which is uncommon in traditional storylines, although many action-adventure movies have a serious tone.

What representations are there? (people/places/events) What technical elements are used to give meaning to the representation? The scene opens with the main character awake while hanging upside down in a close-up shot high up in the sky. This creates immediate suspense and tension for the audience in the opening scene. It then cuts to a few seconds of POV shot to show the audience feels the same fear as the main character looking in first person or creates an emotional connection between the audience and the character. It then follows with a zoom-out from the character which supports the previous scene to show how high and high and terrifying the character is above sea level. The next couple of scenes show the character climbing his way up back to the plane using the rope tangled onto the cargo boxes. The opening scene then overuses the medium shot and close-up shot of the character to effectively create suspense and fear combination of emotion to the audience. In the final scene, the main character achieves his goal of reaching the plane however he is soon pushed off by a red car which the colour creates a sense of danger. Upon being pushed off, a Dutch angle is used to give the audience an uneasy feeling, like something ominous is looming just ahead. This type of camera shot can create a feeling of disorientation, madness, or imbalance. Dutch angles enhance tension, generate fear, and exacerbate unsteadiness. It then transitions to the POV of the main character spiralling around and falling through the blue sky. All of a sudden a random hand holds the main character and transitions to 15 years ago.

Small Research

Title: Extraction 2
Year: 2023

Target Audience and How are they Appealed to?

The Target audience is adults aged above 17 because most of the content in the opening scene are fight scenes with blood all over the place. The tension and anticipation that violence creates is what might be causing people to be so drawn in.

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

I like the military equipment and the realism of the wounds displayed on the character when he is injured.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

I would like to avoid the scene where there is too much gore in it as our opening film is a comedy action which should not include too much gore content into it.

Title: Bullet Train
Year: 2022

Target Audience and How are they Appealed to?

The primary target audience that "Bullet Train" is aimed towards is young adults and adults, especially those who are 16 years of age or older. This audience is drawn to films with lots of action and elements of the thriller and comedy genres. Given its violent and profane material, the movie appears to be intended for a more sophisticated audience who appreciates suspenseful and fast-moving narrative.

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

I would like to apply the dynamic and stylized lighting that enhances the fast-paced action and vibrant visuals which creates an eye-catching view to the audience. Due to the colour palettes and atmosphere most of the scene is created, utilizing neon and saturated colours that align with its action-comedy tone. utilizing neon and saturated colours that align with its action-comedy tone.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

I really couldn't find anything that I would like to avoid from this opening but probably the length of the opening scene as it may be too long for our opening and we do not need that much time to tell tell the story to our audience.


Title: Bad Boys for life
Year: 2020

Target Audience and How are they Appealed to?

This film's target audience is mainly young adults, which includes long-time fans of the franchise and new viewers. The film also tries to attract action-comedy enthusiasts. 

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

I like the comedy elements the opening scene has so this tells the audience clearly that it is going to be action comedy.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

I would like to refrain from using cars for my opening as this can pose a danger to my groupmates.


Title: Johnny English Strikes Again

Year: 2018

Target Audience and How are they Appealed to?

This film's target audience is mainly young adults and children, which includes long-time fans of the franchise and new viewers. The film also tries to attract action-comedy enthusiasts. 

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

I like the vast number of comedy elements included in the opening scene, which tells the audience clearly that it is going to be action comedy.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?

I would like to refrain from doing extremely dangerous stunts like rappelling down the building through a window or any stunts closely as dangerous as this.


Title: Sicario

Year: 2015

Target Audience and How are they Appealed to?

The target audience for this film is adult viewers as some of the scenes are mature content. This film also tries to grip thriller and action enthusiasts.

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

I like how the scene has already shown cinematic experience with the use of stunning visuals and a haunting score enhancing the emotional impact, creating a memorable viewing experience. I would also like the engaging hook that the scene used to begin a striking statement about the film's intense atmosphere.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
I would avoid using languages that might alternate casual viewers who are not familiar with film theory.


Title: Fast and Furious Hobbs and Shaw
Year: 2019

Target Audience and How are they Appealed to?

The target audience for this film is young action movie fans of all ages and franchise followers who are invested in its character. They appeal by the mixture of comedy and action which makes the film accessible to a broader audience, including those who might not usually watch action films.

What would you like to use in your opening from this?

I like how most of the scenes highlight the unique relationship between the main characters to entice fans of a buddy-cop dynamic and comedic partnership.

What would you like to avoid in your opening from this?
I would avoid using languages that might alternate casual viewers who are not familiar with film theory.    

This video above also helped us as a guide into opening scenes.