Publication Date
4-2022
School
School of Visual and Performing Arts
Major
Cinematic Arts
Keywords
Action, Action Film, Movie, Cinema, Hero, Heroes, Heroine, Heroines, Short Film, Film, Hero's Journey, Post-Apocalyptic, Dystopian
Disciplines
Film Production | Screenwriting
Recommended Citation
Brunner, Daniel, "The Female Heroine of Action Films: A History and Exploration of the Genre and Application to the Short Film Lois" (2022). Senior Honors Theses. 1214.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/honors/1214
Abstract
The action genre is one of the oldest forms of filmmaking, beginning with some of the earliest short films with simple chases and heists. From then it has progressed into the genre we know today but still retains certain crucial aspects. One of sub-genres within these films can be seen in post-apocalyptic and dystopian films. All of these tend to follow the hero’s journey as described by Joseph Campbell. The representation of powerful female heroines within the action genre has increased since 1980s from its traditional male centric viewpoint. The screenplay for the short film Lois shows the convergence of the aspects of action films, the hero’s journey, and powerful female heroines.
