Yr 10 PREP AA: REVISION

What is Section A about?

Section A includes assesses your  textual analysis skills. In the exam you will watch a short extract from an action/adventure film (around 6 minutes long)  four times and will then be expected to answer  three

questions about the extract.

Question 1 – will ask you how the extract you have just seen fits the codes and conventions of action/adventure in general. Start by defining the sub-genre. Then use terms like combat and conflict; spectacle; suspense and jeopardy; speed and motion.

These are some of the points you could include if asked about how the characters and/or events are conventional:

REMEMBER – you need to use examples from the extract to support your point:

-     The protagonist is brave in the face of danger and will often (but  not always) easily beat the antagonists even when outnumbered.

-     The protagonist is resourceful and clever

-     The protagonists are attractive and youthful when compared with the antagonists.

-     The antagonists are violent and intimidating (could be seen through their costumes or props).

-     There is a clear theme of good vs. evil

-     Conflict is resolved through violence.

It is possible the extract may NOT be typical in places. This needs to be mentioned.

Question 2 – will ask you to analyse how the camera, editing, soundtrack and mise-en-scene are used in the extract to create a particular effect which fits the action/adventure genre. You will be expected to give direct examples from the extract and explain the connotative effect your examples have on the audience.

You should also  link back to action/adventure conventions.

Question 3 will ask you to show your understanding of issues of representation used within the extract. You may be asked to consider any of the following are represented:

-     Gender

-     Ethnicity

-     Sexuality

-     Age

-     Disability

-     War

-     Authority

-     Etc...

In your answer you should:

-     identify your examples

-     describe the representations of the named area (e.g. ethnicity)

-     describe the messages and values in these representations

-     Shown your wider understanding of issues of representation in Action/Adventure films

Throughout all three questions you will be expected to structure your answers clearly and use media terminology!