Action adventure films

Exam style questions

The following guidance is aimed at students taking the AQA action adventure
exam in 2011. The sample questions are all based on specimen papers that are
available on the AQA website.

Remember:

• You do not have to write your answers in paragraphs – you can also use bullet
points, annotations, mind maps and charts.

• AQA recommend being ‘concise’ i.e. don’t waffle, they value quality rather
than quantity!

• Be careful with your spelling and grammar.

• Use media terminology and refer to narrative theory in your Task 1 answers.

• Make sure you are familiar with the forms and conventions of both the action
adventure genre and the institutions that promote it.

• Follow the conventions of whatever you’re asked to do i.e. if asked to make a

film poster, ensure that it looks like one!

Task 1 questions will be on action adventure films in general. There will be

two questions, worth 15 marks each. They might read something like this:

1. Give us three key features of action adventure films and provide examples to
support your ideas.

2. A criticism of action adventure films is that they reinforce racial and gender
stereotyping. How far do you agree with this statement? Provide some
examples to support your views.

3. Explain the importance of heroes and villains to the narrative of action

adventure films. Provide examples to support your ideas.

4. There are several sub-genres of action adventure films. Choose two of these
and outline the differences and similarities between them using examples to
explain your ideas.

5. A criticism of action adventure films is that their narrative structure is often

very similar. How far do you agree with this statement? Provide some
examples to support your views.

© www.teachit.co.uk 2011 15057 Page 1 of 2

 Action adventure films

Exam style questions

Task 2 questions will require you to have either planned an action

adventure film or the marketing campaign for one. The questions will be
based on your explanation and promotion of this. You will be required to
complete two questions, from a choice and they will be worth 15 marks
each.

1. Now provide us with your pitch for your action adventure film. You need to
think about:
• setting
• characters
• an appropriate title
• a storyline.

2. We plan to use the internet to promote the successful film. Design the
homepage of a website for your film.

3. As part of a cross-media campaign, posters will be used to advertise your film

on billboards. Design the poster to promote your film. Marks will be awarded
for:
• a clear target audience
• annotations/explanations of any of the key features you
include.

4. It is important that as many media

institutions as possible help to
promote your film. Write a press
release promoting your film to be
given to all major newspapers.

5. The film studio is investing a lot of

money in the production and
marketing of your action
adventure film. Provide a plan for
at least three spin-off products in
addition to the DVDs which can be
sold to recoup their costs.

© www.teachit.co.uk 2011 15057 Page 2 of 2