Hurt locker questions

Q 1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre. 

There are ways that the film 'The Hurt Locker' has characters that fit the action adventure genre because it involves the protagonist trying to solve the problem. In the film, the protagonist is on a mission to solve how to diffuse the bomb that was attached to the person that was represented as the 'antagonist'. However, in this situation, there is a translator for the person as he is talking in a different language so that the audience is confused on what he trying to say. It fits the action genre because the 'antagonist' walks closer to make the 'protagonist's' team feel scared. As he walks closer, there are fast action camera shots that zooms up close to the characters to create a intense feeling for the audience. This is the event that fit the action/adventure genre as it takes the audience into an adventure about how they are going to solve the problem in a short amount of time. The protagonist is heroic and brave because he is trying to save the person. he is classed as the team leader as he tells people what to do and is the one who is doing the riskier job than anyone else. The events that fit the action/adventure genre is that the scene has surround by military vehicles and weapons. This means that this suit the genre because these create explosions and gunfire with links with action. This makes the audience feel like they are watching a action film because of the aggressive explosion noises. Moreover, they are in a exotic location which includes a less economical environment such as broken houses and discolored natural features. This makes the audience feel like they are in a hostile environment as there is involvement with bombs and explosions.  

Q2. Explain how each of the following is used to create effects:
soundtrack
editing
mise en scene
camerawork
Use examples from the extract. [30 marks]


In the film hurt locker, the effects that are used to make the film intense and exciting is the soundtrack, editing, mise en scene and camera work.

Firstly, soundtracks are used during the film to create certain effects such as non-diegetic sound. This is when there is sound but does not have a source on screen in the scene. This is to build up tension for the audience. However, in this particular scene, the sound stops in certain key areas to make it more intense.  Next, in the scene there is only just diegetic sound which is sound that has a source on-screen such as dialogue. The dialogue only makes the audience to feel like they are in the background watching it all happen as it feels as if they are in a raw, surreal experience. They talk very quickly and shouting while they are trying to sort out the problem to make it fit even more the action genre as it makes it aggressive. While the protagonist is talking, there are other people talking that overlaps him with makes it interesting to watch. This is because it creates an intense atmosphere for the audience as they won't know if they will sort out the problem or not.

Secondly, editing are used in the film to create certain effects such as jump cut and fast-paced editing. At first, the fast-paced editing is used to build tension. In the scene, every time the camera switches character, it zooms in closely to their face.
Next, the jump-shot is used in the scene to draw the audiences attention. In the scene, the camera switches from character to another character in slight movement to show their facial expressions and little movement to make the audience stay excited.

Thirdly, mise-en-scene is used to change to setting of the scene. The types that are used is lighting, location, costume, props, casting and blocking. The type of lighting used in the scene is that they are outside in broad daylight so that the audience get to see exactly what is going on. After, the location the scene was set in is a remote, urban type of country. This is because it stereotypes the US army and how they are strongly linked with countries such as Syria, Pakistan and other middle eastern countries. Next, the type of props that are used in the scene for the film is military equipment such as high-class weapons and vehicles. Furthermore, the presumed 'antagonist' is wearing a bomb filled vest.

Lastly, the camera work that are used in the scene of the film is handheld camera and steadicam. The handheld camera is used to make a Point-of-view effect. It is normally a little shaky and it will tilt from time to time. This is to make the audience feel like they are in the situation and this will make them feel intense and thrilled. Next, the steadicam is used to show currently what is happening in the scene.
So, in the scene, when they find out the guy wearing the bomb jacket, the camera zooms out and uses the steadicam effect, pans around the area to show what is going on. This is to show the audience the situation that is happening in the scene. 

Q 3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the extract. 

Refer to stereotypes in your answer. 
Use examples from the extract. [20 marks]

The type of people that are presented in the scene of the film is that the age of the group of people is from 20 to 30. This is because most action/adventure films will feature people of this age as they are in the army as well. Next, all people in the scene involved are men because it shows dominance in men and it will not suit the role of women in the scene. This is classed as a stereotype because it only contains men and not women and showing that men can only cope with this level of confidence and bravery. This makes the audience feel sympathetic to women because it is not fair for women as they cannot take part and join in withe the men. Moreover, the nationality involved in the scene is that the men are American in which will involve in the US army. This is a another stereotype because it shows the warfare between USA and middle eastern countries such as Syria. In the scene it shows, a middle eastern man against a congregation of the US special forces. This links with religion as there has been general conflict with the religion that involves between USA and religious believers such as Muslims. This makes the audience feel sorry for the Muslims because the US army might harm innocent Muslims because of their stereotype which is terrorism.