Explain how each of the following is used to create effects: soundtrack, editing, mise-en-scene and camerawork.

Camerawork
The Director uses different camera techniques to create an effect on the audience during the action sequence. When the main character and the other soldiers are in the aircraft, a point of view shot is used to show the main character's perspective. This camera shot allows the audience to feel like they are in the character's position and they can therefore see what the soldiers think of the protagonist based on their facial expressions. Dolly zoom moves down the aircraft to build up suspense for the audience in the lead up to the action sequence by emphasising the amount of soldiers that are on the aircraft. Before the main character drops from the aircraft the Director uses shallow focus on the protagonist's gun, this is steadier than the previous camera movements to draw attention to the gun so that the audience can understand that this signifies his entrance to the battle. Throughout the whole sequence the Director uses a hand-held camera to create a shaky effect, making the audience feel like they are a part of the action by involving them in the shaky experience of a natural action sequence, which connotes the chaos of the battle.


Editing
Different editing techniques have to be used to create a successful action sequence. Shot-reverse-shot is one of the techniques used by the Director in the aircraft, the audience is able to see the perspective of another character as well as the main character. This allows them to see the outward appearance of the protagonist and how others view perceive him. The Director uses used a common technique used in action sequences, fast-paced editing, to create the effect that the action is taking place quickly in a chaotic atmosphere. Fast-paced editing builds the tension for the audience because something is always going on and a lot of action is taking place in the background creating the chaotic atmosphere of the sequence. In action-adventure films, Computer generated imagery is a favourite and in this sequence the technique is used for the monsters and spaceships to connote to the audience the genre of the film while also adding to the fantasy element of the film by creating monsters that look realistic.


Sound
In the action sequence, sound is an important feature needed to make it successful by achieving a high level of tension that can build to a climax. Synchronous sound is present throughout the sequence to match the chaotic and tense atmosphere that is playing on-screen. The audience expects to hear the sounds in the background, e.g. explosions, but the noise level is increased to add to the tension for the audience by placing them in the depths of the action. There is a section of diegetic sound where the protagonist and the main female character (his sidekick) exchange dialogue. This section helps to break away from the action temporarily to draw the audience's focus to their conversation. Synchronous sound is still present in the background so that the audience understands that the intense action is still going on.


Mise-en-scene
Different elements of Mise-en-scene are used to fit the fantasy and futuristic themes flowing through the action-adventure genre. The costumes in this sequence is futuristic armour that is worn by the soldiers, this matches the fantasy element of the genre and helps to create the illusion of a battle scene. The armour is robotic and impacts on the way that the soldiers walk, making them and their movements look robotic. Throughout this sequence the main props are the soldiers weapons, all of the soldiers have guns which signifies that the characters are in the depths of a battle and they are prepared to kill, hinting at what may play out in the action sequence.