Researching Genre
- 2. Stock Characters •There is a main hero. •Oppositional character who is usually a different gender or in conflict with the main central character Stock Plots, Situations, Issues & Themes •Usually a fight between good and evil. •The hero ends up being triumphant. •Due to location, hazards can happen such as earthquakes, volcanoes and struggling through jungles.
- 3. Stock Props & Signifiers •Machinery. •Hi-tech devices. •‘Flashy’ transport. •Weapons. Generic Conventions •Fast editing. •Special effects make car chases, fights and explosions very realistic and believable. Issues of Representation •Typical gender roles are played, as the hero is typically a male due to stereotypes (although more modern films do not follow this).
- 4. Stock Plots, Situations, Issues & Themes •Usually a fight between good and evil. •The hero ends up being triumphant. •Due to location, hazards can happen such as earthquakes, volcanoes and struggling through jungles. Stock Locations & Backdrops •Exotic & remote locations – ie volcanoes, islands, jungles. •Big cities with a lot of nightlife. Music & Sounds •Upbeat and driving music, causing anticipation and adrenaline.
- 5. Stock Characters •The Supernatural – ie vampires, demons and ghosts. OR •The killer – psychotic human. •Victims – usually a group heavily featuring young adults and/or teenagers. Stock Plots, Situations, Issues & Themes •There is someone who usually trips over something while running from the killer. •Someone hides and we see the killer walk past. They then come out of hiding thinking that they are safe, but end up being killed.
- 6. Stock Locations & Backdrops •Haunted house. •Somewhere abandoned. •Grave yard. •Usually at night/dark setting. Stock Props & Signifiers •Masks (the killer). •Costumes (the killer). •Weapons such as knives and chainsaws (guns are very rare). Music & Sounds •Sound plays a big part to create suspense and tension for the viewer.
- 7. Generic Conventions •Slow editing is used to create suspense. •Fast editing is used during more exciting parts of a scene – e.g. when someone is being chased by the killer. Issues of Representation •Horror films use a lot of stereotypes (for example, there is often a young blonde female who is recognised as the ‘dumb blonde’ stereotype and is killed quickly.
- 8. DRAMA Stock Characters •Realistic characters such as everyday people, families and children. Stock Plots, Situations, Issues & Themes • Usually about conflict/internal struggles. •The audience can usually relate to the storyline/plot.
- 9. DRAMA Generic Conventions • Variety of low angle, high angle and close up shots. •Audience is kept emotionally attached throughout by climaxes and anticlimaxes. •Due to the broadness of the genre, Drama has a wide variety of props, location, music and issues of representation depending on the storyline .
- 10. MY CHOSEN GENRE IS DRAMA To fulfil the repertoire of the drama genre, my work must include characters that can relate to almost anyone and who live, what is considered a normal everyday life (i.e. not a secret agent or superhero). The costumes will also help represent the character’s lifestyle. Furthermore, the plot should be emotionally gripping and deal with internal conflict and struggles in life such as illnesses, family/friend issues etc. In terms of location, I am able to film in a wide variety of places as long as they relate to the characters storyline. Music will play a big part in my work as in this genre, music helps to especially amplify and enhance the emotions that the audience are meant to feel. The music will generally be emotive as the storyline is most likely to be quite emotional.