Section 1B - Concept 4: Genre

Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?


I do believe that Genres are timeless in the sense they will always represent a group of films. However genres constantly develop and change as the meaning of 'Drama' or 'Romance' changes within society. As more genres and sub-genres are created, it gets harder to categorize films as it is all a matter of opinion.

However, Janet Steinger believes there are four easy ways of defining films:

• 'Idealist method' - predetermined standard
• 'Empirical method' - comparing to other films
• 'Social conventions' - accepted by cultural expectations in society.
• 'Ironic hybridization' - combining elements of different genres. 

This means you can always categorize a film into a certain genre.

Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?

 Hybrid genres have increased in numbers because a hybrid genre creates a bigger crowd. If you make a romance film you will get 1 audience but if you make a romance action film you will get 2 audiences. Also, with the improvement of technology, you can collaborate a wider range of genres together. For example, 'Avatar' is a hybrid genre, consisting of action, adventure and fantasy. They used their technology to their advantage to get the best out of each genre.

Choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre.

Thriller Micro Elements

Sound

Earlier in the year we created an opening for a Thriller. One of the micro elements that was included was use of sound. We created a soundtrack that we thought fitted the whole sequence. It created quite an eerie and mysterious vibe, this is an example of non-diagetic sound. Another example of non-diagetic sounds is the sounds we used for the transitions for the flashbacks. We also used diagetic sounds, like the sound of the train at the beginning, and footsteps. We used visceral sound when the man is hit. This technique is used to emphasise and focus on certain sounds.

Editing

We edited the flashbacks to be viewed in black and white, so the audience could understand that it was in the past. This worked well along with the transition sound, to create a fluent change. Another editing technique we used was changing the speed of clips. We cut up a number of clips, in which we sped up and slowed down. This built up tension throughout the sequence, leaving the viewer on edge. We used simple opening credits which appeared by the side of the appropriate character. At the end of our sequence, we paused the film whilst the character was in 'mid-punch'. We created a break in the music to go with this. At the same time, our opening title 'Rependo' appeared on the screen.   

Mise-on-scene


Straight away, a scary isolated setting and location is put in place. This instantly informs the audience that something is not right. Costume is very important in our video, as it creates a hierarchy. Will, the obvious antagonist, is dressed in smart informative clothing, whereas Saul is dressed in bloody cheap clothes. We used make-up on Sauls face, to show he had been beaten and was in danger. The lighting in the scene is completely natural and dull. We purposely filmed in the evening to emphasise the eeriness, as darkness is associated with the Thriller genre.

Cinematography 

We used many PoV shots in our opening. The first PoV was in the view of the antagonist. This PoV shot is very strong and focuses on the protagonist. Afterwards, the next shot is in the PoV of the protagonist, and you can instantly tell the character can barely hold himself up. When the character does manage to look at the antagonist, he is looking up from a low angle. This shows that he is in a weak position.

SFX


We only used a couple of special effects, a fake gunshot and a stunt with the punch in the face. The gunshot made the death of Will's brother more vivid and realistic, as well as the punch.