Genre Research

Horror• Narrative Themes – A scary creature attacks a few people and others become aware of this and set out to try and

stop the force that is killing people. These people usually succeed, but then there can be a cliff-hanger whereby the force is not actually at peace and kills the characters who had previously defeated it.

• Characters – Monster/Creature whom is feared by the rest of the cast, multiple victims and one or two who manage to survive until the end of the film where it either ends with them alive or with them being killed by the same or another creature.

• Mise-en-Scene – Old abandoned houses and furniture, wooden structures, dark cramped/open spaces (The extremes of either), wet/damp sets that make the audience feel uncomfortable.

• Camera – Close up shots can be used to scare an audience by showing a scary creature or the facial expression of a victim. This draws the audience into the scene and makes them feel more fear. A panning shot can be used to draw the viewer into part of the shot, such as a door or object, building up tension and creating a scary mood.

• Props – Weapons are the main prop for a slasher movie with lots of murders and brutal deaths. Ranging from baseball bats to chainsaws they are all used in an attempt to kill one of the main characters in a movie. Other horror movies that don’t involve lots of murders and gory deaths pay attention to the setting to scare the audience. Candles and religious objects can be placed in a scene to create a dark and cold feel and can also make the audience feel scared about everyday religions.

• Locations - Dark locations such as forests or abandoned buildings are a common location in horror movies. Places that are damp and appear cold are also used as they make the audience relate to the situation and creates an uncomfortable feel. Everyday locations are also used such as homes, places of work, especially restrooms and bedrooms. This is because the audience will be in these locations on a daily basis and it helps to keep the fear continuing after they have watched the film. In the movie the grudge there is a scene where someone is just finishing their shift at work, where they are attacked and killed by the creature. This creates fear with the audience as they will remember the movie when they leave work at night and are one of the last to leave. I also think it helps to make a film successful as while a viewer is watching the film, they will be thinking about what may happen after the movie, whether they are having to go home alone or if they just have to make a journey up the stairs to bed.

Comedy• Narrative Themes – Comedies can have a range of narrative themes, but

the main storyline should be something comic that will make the audience laugh. There can still be a thrilling climax to the film, but this should then be broken away with more comedy at the very end.

• Characters – One character who the others put down and insult in a comic way, one who isn’t very smart and creates humour by being completely stupid, one who thinks they are the best at everything but isn’t as good as they think.

• Mise-en-Scene – Office Equipment, sports equipment that can cause a comic accident, alcohol and drugs,

• Camera – Wide angle shots to show the setting of a location. Close up to show a reaction or facial expression of a character to an event. A panning shot can be used to follow and object or something that is likely to cause damage and create a comic effect.

• Props – Adult and sex-related props can be used to create adult humour. Harmless weapons such as beater bats can be used to abuse a character without it being a serious injury and not be funny for the audience.

• Locations – Every day locations such as places of work or bars and clubs. Holiday destinations are also used so that the viewer can relate to these situations and find the events more humorous.

Sci-Fi• Narrative Themes – A typical sci-fi will involve creature from other planets in

space. The plot may be that these characters are at war with humans and there will be a battle during the film where either good will triumph, likely in a family sci-fi, or evil will defeat the good, likely in a teen/adult sci-fi.

• Characters – Aliens, robots, mutants, humans: all of whom are likely to have grreat survival skills and are trained in combat.

• Mise-en-Scene – vegetation that is different to what we find on earth, Spaceships.

• Camera – extreme close ups to draw attention to an important object, close ups to show facial expressions, pan shots to follow an object or character of interest.

• Props – Futuristic weapons, space-craft, futuristic technology such as communication devices and holograms.

• Locations – Locations that are ‘out of this world’ such as space or planets are good locations as they emphasise the science. Laboratories are also good locations as they represent science and make it clear to the viewer.

Chick Flick/Rom-Com• Narrative Themes – Two people who have very little interest in eachother or

come from opposite walks of life go through comic situations together and eventually realise that the other is not actually someone they should dislike and then they fall in love towards the end of the film.

• Characters – Male and female who have some sexual tension between them that increases throughout the film.

• Mise-en-Scene – Feminine objects and masculine objects to contrast. Homely objects and furniture. Worn out furniture to stereotype men.

• Camera – extreme close up shots for particular objects, close ups for character reactions and facial expressions, wide shot to set the scene and a two shot to show the relationship between two characters.

• Props – Chocolates, flowers, trash, perfume, jewellery.• Locations – Flats/houses, places of work, holiday destinations, restaurants,

date locations (cinema, food, theatre, concert, ice-skating).