The Action Genre - Iconography

The Iconography in an action film is specific to the genre therefore the audience instantly recognise the genre of the film as most action films have the same visual clues, shown through a consistent mise-en-scene.

The typical Iconography in action film includes:

• Setting - Urban environments are a popular location for action films, such as busy cities. The chaotic, heavily-populated environment amplifies the intensity of the action taking place (with real danger for the citizens of the city) and makes the scene more thrilling for the audience. Action films are also sometimes situated in an isolated location - like a jungle, remote military camp, a hazardous mountainside - which adds extra pressure on the protagonist as it may be an environment they are not familiar with. This, more exotic/less familiar location, can be used to create a sense of mystery and suspense for the audience as a character might be trying to stay in the shadows and not be caught (because of the potential danger of their mission). Additionally, many action films don't start off in the middle of the action and instead opening scenes often take place in a completely different environment from where the action scenes will unfold later in the narrative, such as a domestic setting such as a house, or a setting that presents the main protagonist as an ordinary citizen, such as a shop or even somewhere remote and non-threatening such as the countryside. This kind of setting may be used to lull the audience into a false sense of security or to imply that the protagonist is not a typical action hero. Whatever the setting, it is likely that the director will use the scene to establish the protagonist's skills and personality to the audience so they can build an early connection to the character.

• Costume - Protagonists often wear practical clothing that will help protect them in the dangerous situations which are typical of films from the action genre, like tactical vests and combat boots, or iconic signature outfits which signify to the audience that they are confident and prepared for action. Formal suits are a popular outfit for characters in action films to make them look sleek, professional and sophisticated but also so that they can blend in with the public and get around without being noticed (this type of costume is particularly important in a key action sub-genre, the spy film).

• Props - Weapons in action films are essential  to making a scene more engaging for the audience. Popular props include guns, knives and explosives which indicate the chaos of a scene and symbolise violence. Additionally, exciting vehicles such as cars, motorcycles and helicopters are often used in thrilling chase scenes to give the genre intensity and to excite the audience. Finally, high-tech gadgets are used frequently to help drive the plot forward and emphasise the potential threat to society that the protagonist must combat.

• Figure behaviour - Protagonists often display fast, decisive actions which allow them to either chase, fight or escape danger. Therefore they have to be confident with their actions, remaining vigilant, as they don’t know what’s going to happen next. Villains are typically depicted as confident, menacing and sinister to suggest to the audience that they enjoy causing chaos and are completely different/have completely different goals to the protagonist.

• Lighting - Used as a tool to create a specific mood in the scene as it helps enhance the aesthetic for the audience. In action scenes the lighting may be high key to engage the audience during spectacular action set-pieces, however this allows the audience to see shadows more clear and therefore it builds more tension. Low-key lighting is frequently used to add mystery to the scene as the audience can't see clearly therefore it is used in tense scenes as the audience wait for something significant to happen. Side lighting is also common in action films as it highlights to the audience that a character is at conflict and they don't know precisely the right course of action (protagonists are also burdened by the responsibility or have to make tough decisions in terms of who to save - and the side lighting is an effective way of showing these inner conflicts). Many protagonists go through this stage before they ‘save the day.’