Researching the Action Genre

    Hello! This is my second blog towards the portfolio project for the end-of-the-year AICE exam. After researching more about the comedy genre I didn't really know what other genres I could research so I decided to think of my favorite movies and one that I thought of pretty quickly was Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse: (2023). This movie is a sequel to the very loved film Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse(2018). 

                    

                                Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)        Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023)

    These movies are in the Action genre with tons of interesting storylines and enticing action scenes left and right that really captivate the reader. I enjoyed both of them but the second movie has left a lasting impact on me and even two years after its release it's still one of my favorite movies.

    To understand how action films establish their tone, I've analyzed the opening of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (2023), an animated superhero action film directed by Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson. This is a sequel that follows Miles Morales as he explores the multiverse and meets different versions of Spider-Man.

ANALYZING ACTION

    The action genre is one of the most exciting film genres, ranging from superhero movies to spy and martial arts films. What makes action movies so appealing to audiences is how they manage to combine fast-paced storylines with eye-catching scenes. Successful action movies often contain captivating chase scenes, explosive combat sequences, and conflicts that keep viewers continuously engaged. I could study action films, trying to figure out how those elements can be effectively intertwined into an opening sequence that will engage audiences.

     In Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, the opening sequence immediately heads into the conventions of the action genre with a fight scene with exhilarating visuals and fluid choreography that starts with one of the characters, Gwen Stacy, also a Spider-Man, fighting Vulture, a villain from another universe. She then meets one of the main antagonists in the movie, Miguel O'Hara, the head of the Spider Society. Gwen Stacy then runs into her father, trying to arrest her for the murder of Peter Parker. With no options left, she unmasks herself, revealing her identity to her father, but he still tries to arrest her. Seeing this, Miguel allows her to join Spider-Society, leaving her own universe behind. The film then transitions to Miles Morales, setting up his story. The film uses a mix of fast-paced combat, gravity-defying stunts, and visually dynamic cinematography to create a thrilling experience for the audience.

    If I choose the action genre, I'll be working on a two-minute opening sequence of an original action film for my final project. Based on the research on genre and case analysis of "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse," fast motion, vivid action, and an engaging conflict will be considered the key elements that grasp the audience's attention in the opening sequence immediately. 

    I would want to create an explosive, visually stimulating opening that gives a taste of both character motivations and the high stakes involved. This, though, can sometimes be tamed by trying to balance action with storytelling so the audience is thrilled and literally connected to what is unfolding on screen. To do this, I want to try different camera angles, dynamic movements, and suspenseful pacing, all in refining my script through multiple drafts and feedback from friends, family, and mentors.