Genre Research

Thomas Heath

Genres• Action (Disaster): Stories whose central struggle plays out

mainly through a clash of physical forces

• Adventure: Stories whose central struggle plays out mainly through encounters with new "worlds."

• Crime: Stories whose central struggle is about catching a criminal.

• Horror: Stories whose central struggle focuses on escaping from and eventually defeating a Monster (either human or non-human).

ActionNarrative Themes – Classic action films usually have a solid narrative structure, from the main protagonist’s point of view. The point of a narrative is it provides a means of constructing a world and identifying it flow as well as regulating the affects of people. Action film narratives contain like a diary of the main characters life or current situation, which helps the story/plot come together for the audience.Character Types – The characters in Action films are always usually cliché. Basically, there is the main protagonist which will probably be the ‘hero’ character. Another inevitable character will be the villain, the character that will be causing trouble and feud with the main hero character. Also there are the characters that are caught in the middle. For example, a friend of the main character would probably be used by the villain like a hostage, meaning the main character will have to carry out some dangerous mission to regain their friend, as an example.Mise-en-Scene – The mise-en-scene of an action film is always different as action films tend to change scene locations a lot throughout. A typical action film setting would be a city (New York) as it is at the heart of a huge civilization where disasters would seem more dramatic. It generates more tension if the environment makes the main character uncomfortable as the lighting can change evoke emotions easily. Another factor is Costumes. In some action films there may be a specific outfit like Spiderman or Batman wear, or they could usually just wear casual clothing depending on the nature of the film. Camerawork – Action film camerawork shares its techniques with other film genres. For example, in a frantic chase scene, the camerawork is very fast paced, the transitions are very quick, the average speed of a chase scene shot is 1 second. The camerawork is very creative in action films. For example, if a character is sneaking behind a box, the camera may change to look like its from first person view, behind the boxes. So these films utilize all types of camerawork.Props – Props are another key factor to an action films structure. Props include vehicles, weapons and decorative features. Vehicles play a key role in an action film. A vehicle in an action film for the main protagonist may be something fast and big, whereas the villain may have an intimidating vehicle. Weapons also play the biggest role in an action film. Weapons are used in battles in action films quite a lot. Some characters.Locations –The location sets the scene in a movie, action movies need a dramatic location in some areas. The location should be similar to the genre. A location for an action movie would be something typical of an abandoned warehouse or a city. This is because the main location will be where action shots are carried out. Shots which will have a manner of violence, explosions and gunfire.

AdventureNarrative Themes – Adventure narratives are usually done in the form of a story. For example at the beginning of the film the narrator which you never see as a character in the film but has some relation to the main one, may say ‘Once upon a time’. Mise-en-Scene – Adventure films need a good setting. Films that take you to different places, where characters can explore, places like the Chronicles of Narnia. The setting was everything. It had to be covered in snow, it had to be like a forest. Another aspect of adventure is the lighting, which will be very bright and happy if it is a happy adventure.Camerawork – The camerawork used in adventure films are similar those used in Action films. Since the genres can be teamed together like Indiana Jones, the shots will be fast and frantic as some scenes will involve a bit of running or action.Props – The props in an adventure film are critical. There may be a prop that links with the storyline in an adventure film such as the tardis in Doctor Who. Although it is not a movie, but its an essential prop in the films plot and storyline.Locations – Adventure locations are usually in places that are lost continents, a jungle or a desert.

CrimeNarrative Themes – Crime film narratives usually explain the life of a criminals background before undergoing more criminal acts and explaining his situation again. Its basically a journal to the criminals life. Mise-en-Scene – Criminal films need key features to ensure that they successfully get the audiences attention. One key feature is to have low lighting. Low lighting makes the scene seem gloomy, dark and somewhat dangerous. Another feature is the costumes. In a crime film the costumes should be of the gangster nature. For example, a typical crime film will feature the criminal wearing a black leather jacket and blue denim jeans. Camerawork – The camerawork used in crime films is similar to those used in Action films. The shots can be short/frantic if there are any chase scenes because there will be guaranteed action in a crime film. The camerawork will sometimes change to the handheld, point of view shot as if you are looking from the criminals first person point of view.Props – Props are a key feature in crime films. Crime films will feature a lot of weapons and vehicles as they are the cliché props that are found in criminal films. There will always be the infamous car chase in a crime film, and the infamous gun fight between two rivals.Locations – Locations for crime films are mixed but similar to action films. A typical location would be a city where the gloomy back streets will hold most of the shots of crime films. Unless films like ‘The Bank Job’ which take place in the epicentre of a city but is secretly carried out underground to rob a bank.

HorrorNarrative Themes – Horror films do not tend to have narratives. But if you come across a narrative horror film it will be in the form of a diary, showing the situation of a character in a scary situation. A great example of this is the film Grave Encounters. The film is filmed using the ‘found footage’ camerawork. The film shows the characters narrating directly to the camera not like a story, but actually in the film during some scenes.Mise-en-Scene – Horror films are all about the costume, lighting and location. The costumes of a horror film usually change depending on what situations have occurred throughout. For example if a character has been hurt in some way, their costume may have been torn or stained in some way. Another feature is the lighting. Horror films always have low lighting in their key chapters to keep the atmosphere grim and sinister.Camerawork – The camerawork on a horror movie is similar to those of action films. There will be scenes where the main character/group of characters may be getting chased by a negative entity. A camerawork technique that is used in horror films is the point of view from the villains side during a tense scene where the main characters might be sneaking around somewhere.Props – In a horror film, utilising props is a main element. For example, the SAW franchise uses a variety of gruesome props. The props used in horror films are also injury props. Fake scars, cuts and blood is massively used In horror films to make the situation feel real.Locations – The locations of a horror film are usually abandoned buildings, usually a hospital, warehouse or house. A great example of a horror location would be the Texas Chainsaw Massacre. Held in the baron countryside of Austin, Texas during the 1970’s, the area was perfect for filming this sinister film. There is always a key building/location where the classic scenes will end up taking place.