Heigtened Action Through the Use of Film Convention in Bad Taste

Despite its low budget and cheesy feel, Bad Taste utilizes several classical film conventions to heighten the action scenes. Near the beginning of the movie, Derek has to fight off a group of aliens atop a cliff.  Before the actual action even begins, Jackson utilizes the xy-axis to add suspense to the coming conflict.  As can be seen in the below frame grabs, the aliens ascend towards Derek on a bottom right to top left movement while Derek begins to descend into the woods from the top left to bottom right, hinting at the coming clash.  Also, the “bad” aliens are going in the most difficult direction while Derek descends using the easiest xy direction.

After killing several of the aliens, Derek struggles with his uzi and Jackson uses the z-axis effectively in two ways.  In the first screen grab, the camera focuses on the head of the sledge hammer the alien carries.  It dangerously swings into the frame and with this use of rack focus, the danger presented to Derek by the alien is heightened.  The camera then moves past the alien and focuses on Derek, as seen in the screen grab. Jackson used the z-axis very well here by first showing the large hammer filling the screen and then moving the camera towards Derek, who appears small in comparison to the hammer.  This contrast impacts the audience with both the danger of the large hammer and the frailty and weakness of Derek. – Tim Kelley