I.S Format

• Intro to Action
• History to Action (Short)
• Sub-genres of Action - Comedy, Thriller
• Intro to Action Comedy
• Find special techniques (in reference to films selected)
• Intro to Action Thriller
• Find special techniques (in reference to films selected)
  

3 styles of Narrative Theory

Sydfield- Invented 3 act structure

Todorov- Focused on Equilibrium -> Dis-equilibrium -> New equilibrium

Propps- Hero, Villain, Donor, etc.

Independent Study Plan

Topic: Action Film

Films to be used:

• Initial D (Hong Kong/Japan)- Action Thriller
  
• The Fast and the Furious 2001 (USA)- Action Thriller
  
• Kung Fu Hustle (Hong Kong)- Action Comedy
  
• Rush Hour 3 (USA)- Action Comedy
  

The main idea of this independent study is to compare and analyze the similarities and differences between Hollywood and Hong Kong-made action films. Initial D and FF2001 are listed under as action thrillers where on the other hand, KFH and RH3 are action comedies.

Similarities between I.D and FF2001:

• Protagonist forms relationship with female character towards end of film
• Protagonists are famed for racing
• Rely on CGI for racing scenes, builds realistic motions of car technologies
• Both protagonist's abilities were unaware by 'dominating minor characters/antagonists'
  

Differences between I.D and FF2001:

• I.D characters were illegal racing on mountain; FF2001 mission to wipe out dealers
  
• I.D Jay Chou poor, father drunkard; FF2001 Paul Walker an undercover cop, becomes friends with Vin Diesel
• Driving is for delivering tofu in I.D, job for Ff2001
  
• I.D no bad characters, development of protagonist; FF2001 Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez bad characters, but film act them as allies to Walker
• I.D does not really have a climax
• FF2001 follows 3 act structure, I.D structure narrow variation
• Film of I.D was based on Japanese manga, FF2001 made from scratch
  

Similarities between K.F and R.H3:

• There is a climax in the films- protagonist becomes 'hero' towards the end
  
• Both films follow 3 act structure
• Protagonist faces a turning points in parts of the film, where they suffer defeat
• Protagonists- Chinese, Humor-sense, was once 'unwanted' by other characters
• Story includes triads
• Fights between characters- much exaggerated in the tension/pace
• Forms vague relationship with female characters
  

Differences between K.F and R.H3:

• K.F set in a more historic setting, R.H3 more modern scenery
• Spoken in Chinese and English respectively
• Film K.F is more HK-based, R.H3 worldwide
• Protagonist in K.F depends on 'super power' to defeat enemies, protagonists in R.H3 more knowledge, kung fu-styled battles
• Protagonist in K.F have his powers unleashed through training by veteran characters, protagonists in R.H3 have mission to go on jounry

My approach to I.S. is to look at how 'action' films can be varied when the sub-genre are different; Action Thriller and Action Comedy.

UPDATE:
How the narrative structure are constructed through the Action sub-genre's of Thriller and Comedy between USA and Hong Kong films?

Toderov, Propps, Sydfield

Star Wars Empire Strikes Back Propp's Theory of Narrative

The Hero- Luke Skywalker- the main protagonist of Episodes IV, V, VI
The Villain- Darth Vader, Emperor Palpatine- the antagonists who tries to stop Luke developing into a Jedi and instead, tries to turn him over to become a Sith
The Donor- Obi Wan (Ben) Kenobi- gives Luke his first lightsaber
The Helper- Yoda, Han Solo- Luke learns to become a Jedi through Yoda, Han Solo
The Princess- Princess Leia- helps Luke throughout his journey
The Dispatcher- Obi Wan (Ben) Kenobi- looked over Luke's childhood, guides him to become a Jedi
The Father- Princess Leia- a kiss at the end?

Independent Study

I am still thinking about my I.S as I haven't come up with a title just yet. So far, my idea is to analyze Jackie Chan appearance in the two cultures- USA and Hong Kong- and to see what his character brings to the film as a whole. I've noticed that in HK films, he has more power over how the outcome of the film is but however when he enters Hollywood, his presence is less-needed.

Films to use:

• Rush Hour 3
• Shanghai Knights
• Rush 2
• New Police Story
  

My other idea was to use films the Departed, Infernal Affairs, Rush Hour 3 and New Police Story. Though however, I cannot think of a relationship between these films that significantly stands out.

Film Final Project- UPDATED IDEAS 21st Sept 2009

In the opening scene:
Shots used to establish the girl character. In one of the shots, personally I think that we should have some kind of symbolism (a fox probably since we're basing the story on 'the fox and the crane) so that it foreshadows the appearance of the scammer that takes place later on.

Name still undecided:
However this is only a minor problem, it can be decided quite quickly later on.

E-Learning Homework

http://everything2.com/title/Propp%2527s+theory+of+narrative

1.
The Hero- Ken/Ray
The Villan- Harry
The Donor- Ken
The Helper- Marie
The Princess- Not Sure
The Dispatcher- Harry
The Father- Ken

2.
Actually, these archetypes are not fully represented by the characters in 'In Bruges'. This is because the roles of Ken and Ray are rotated, being as the protagonist of this movie. The heroic event of Ken is near the ending, when he tries to stop Harry from killing Ray. For Ray, he sacrificed himself by jumping off the Belgium Tower. A series of shot is shown where we feel pain of Ken, but on the other side, Ray is enjoying himself with the company of Chloë by his side.

In my opinion, Ray is also a protagonist, this is perhaps shown through the quality of emotions rather how he performed as a character. Early on, we would have thought he would be the antagonist because he killed both the priest and the little boy. Despite his cranky and violent attitudes, he is also emotional as we can see cried over the death of a little boy. This did not only happened once, but three times. This attitude I believe deserves to be a protagonist.

The role of 'The Helper' is given to Harry because he armed Ken with the gun to kill Harry. However, the character of Ken was able to refuse his duty and allow Ray to run off. Unfortunately at the end, both protagonists were killed by Harry.

The helper is given to the small of Marie, the owner of the hotel which Ken and Ray lived in. Her appearance not only gave the two characters shelter, it also kept safe of Ray towards the end of the movie. Her ignorant attitude, to a certain extent, helped Ray from being shot in the hotel, where it could yet be another nightmare for Ray if it also affected the baby Marie has got. Ray on the other hand, helped Marie back by re-arranging their battle away from the hotel in protection of Marie's baby.

Lastly, I'm not sure who the character fits in the role of 'The Father'. This is because all the characters die in the end, which therefore, there would be no rewards to be given.

3.
I think the Propps Theory is a justified theory used in many of the films today. It allows directors to form a backbone of how characters would be like early on in preparation. As the development of the film goes on, directors would be able continue to follow the specific structure given to characters so that what they want in the characters would not be changed and that the storyline would be adjusted so that the character fits in. If this theory did not exist, directors would be more vulnerable in changing the characters instead of the storyline, which would potentially change the meaning of what it is supposed to be about.

The movie 'In Bruge' partially followed the Propps Theory as not all the characters fit back into the roles. The film does not consist of a proper protagonist as it's shared between Ken and Ray.