Initial anaylsis of codes and convenions using Indiana Jones

The genre which belongs to this poster is action/adventure, we are aware of this as the images shown such as snakes on the side to suggest a jungle and stereotypically once you’re in a jungle it’s an instant maze and an adventure to get back out. It also portrays action as also stereotypically jungles are portrayed to be a chase for example usually often than not if you are in a jungle your more than likely to be joined by creatures such as dangerous ones; snakes, monkeys.

The dominant image of Indian Jones shows he is heroic image as it’s a direct confident stare into the camera to suggest he isn’t afraid. Also by the use of exotic location in a dessert to suggest a mysterious scene.

However, this poster does play with conventions of devil and angel this is because stereotypically in most films the devil is known to be a man and an angel is known to be the women. As men are usually seen to be more dominant then women especially in action films, as there more often than not the more superior bond between the two as they are portrayed as masculine therefore stronger and more powerful than women. But in this case, the woman is the devil we imply this as the women has prompts such as a sword which suggests violence, in comparison to the male who has a prompt such as a motorbike which also portrays adventure.

A theoretical perspective such as Rick Altman as he believes genres are linked by producers because they are constructed for an unknown/guaranteed audience, they use repeated storylines and stock characters. Also, they allow the re-use of sets, prompts and actors financial savings which influence towards the budget and financial return are easier to predict. Audiences like genre because they know what to expect, they can plan viewing with certain expectations, they enjoy subtle variations within a particular framework. Also they can engage quickly because of the easy and recognisable plot and characters.