Media Studies: Genre Theory: Adventure

Genre: Adventure

Genre Convention - Content:

Heroic Protagonist:

The protagonist(s) in adventure films are usually the hero; however, there are some movies and series that have a villain as their main character, such as Joker (2019). Oftentimes, the main character is male since most films are made for younger male audiences; however, there have been more female protagonists lately, intended for all young adults or teens.

On a Journey or Quest

The journey or quest is what makes the film an adventure genre. The journey or quest is usually looking for someone, something, or they could be exploring just out of curiosity. Most places the character(s) travel to are new, but some could be old and familiar to them.

Fights and Attacks

During their travels, the protagonist(s) usually encounter the antagonist, who is usually the villain, and battle it out. Many times, the antagonist wants to take something or someone away from them, or it could also be out of revenge. In a series, the fights could go on longer than just one episode, many of them leaving a cliffhanger, so you would come back for more. Rarely does the antagonist get what they want; if they do, it's most likely that the protagonist will take it back and punish the antagonist somehow.

Genre Convention - Production Techniques:

Combination of shots

Adventure films use a lot of extreme long shots, or establishing shots, when the characters reach a new location, to establish the setting and scale. When the characters start fighting, however, they can be a combination of long, medium, and close-ups. The long shots provide the context of the fight, while medium and close-ups show the emotional reactions of the character and build tension between the rivals.

Fast-paced and slow-paced editing

Fast-paced editing in adventure films creates excitement and tension, especially in fight scenes or chases where the characters are supposed to be moving very quickly, by using various and very quick shots. Slower-paced editing can also be used to build tension and create emotion; however, the emotion is the opposite of fast-paced and creates a calm or sad emotion.

Music

The music in adventure films is usually used to convey emotion and set the tone. In fight scenes, the music is also usually fast, upbeat, and loud, almost cheering the characters on, and in sad scenes, such as in deaths, the music is slow and low.

Institutional Conventions - How is genre marketed:

Movies and series usually have posters and trailers that they display at movie theaters or on streaming services that display intriguing images of the characters and the setting. Such as in Jurassic World Rebirth, the cover shows the giant parts of a dinosaur behind the characters as if they are hunting them, and the characters look like they are trying to be cautious and avoid something. The trailers are usually made up of quick clips that would make you curious to find out what is happening in the movie.

Film Sample #1: Avatar: The Last Airbender

Avatar: The Last Airbender (ATLA) is an animated TV series where the main characters travel the world to find people to help the Avatar master all four elements to end a war. The protagonist is a hero who is supposed to save the world, and on his journey, he meets his sidekicks, who all decide to help him defeat the Fire Lord (the villain and antagonist). He is being hunted down by another one of his antagonists, who follows him and his group around, fighting them whenever possible. Every time they travel on Appa, their flying bison that they ride on, they are shown with a long shot that would only show their bison and themselves, and sometimes extreme long shots, showing the size difference of the field or ocean they are above. The animation of the fights is always fast since their movements are sharp, and when they are calm, like when they are flying, it's usually slow-paced. The music also matches up with the animation. When they are doing something chaotic and having fun, there is usually an upbeat and fast song playing loudly, and when something bad happens, there is a slower and softer song. The posters of the series usually display the main characters with serious emotions and the antagonist behind them with predator-like eyes.

Film Sample #2: Frieren: Beyond Journey's End

Frieren is an animated series about an elf and her two companions who travel to a mythical place in the northern lands, rumored to be where souls go after death, to visit one of her dead companions from her journey long ago. Like ATLA, Frieren, the protagonist, is also a hero who saved the world from the Demon King. Her antagonist doesn't follow her around like they did in ATLA; instead, on her journey to Aureole, she encounters them. The fight scenes in Frieren are usually paired with upbeat music, such as the scene where she fights a clone of herself; the music was something you would hear at a festival. During more solemn times, like when she has flashbacks of her talking to her now dead companion, the music was calmer and not as loud or upbeat, but not depressing music. The poster for Frieren is not as compelling as ATLA, as it gives a very peaceful vibe since the characters are standing carefree, looking towards us with no demons on the poster.

List of other film examples within the genre

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