Task 1 – Genre

Genre

What is the simplest ways for producers to attract an audience?

The simplest ways for producers to attract an audience is through Trailers. These trailers are broadcast on television, in cinemas, through social media such as Facebook, Twitter and Youtube.

Another way to attract an audience is through Posters for example, billboards, stations and newspapers. In addition, radio adverts are used to advertise films however, not everybody listens to the radio.

Furthermore, another way is word of mouth, word spreads like fire. For example, if I see a good movie, it would most likely come up in conversion with my friends and they will either say they have not seen it or have, either way it will be on their mind after I mention it.

Sometimes, if you are on the internet or on the computer with your friends you would look films up.

What is the attraction of seeing a film from a particular genre for the audience?

The attraction of seeing a film from a particular genre is that the director/screenwriter can put 100% into that specific genre.

Furthermore, if you like a lot of movies that are associated with that particular, sometimes you may subconsciously like it straight away or watch film that are connected with that genre.

Particular genres automatically set expectations for the viewer because there are no surprises and because you know what you know what is coming next, you get more excited for that specific part or concept.

How can film makers keep an audience interested in seeing genre films?

They cast great actors that will fit the role of the allocated genre and film. For instance, Adam Sandler, he is known for this roles in Comedy genres, for the example, movies like Grown Ups, Clicked, Just Go With It, Coneheads and many more Comedic films.

What do you understand by the term ‘Hybrid’ in relation to genre? Give an example

A hybrid genre is a mix between two different genres for example an Romantic Comedy, which is a cross between a Romance and Comedy movie or a Disaster movie, which is a cross between Action and Adventure.

What do you understand by the ‘Sub – genre’?

Sub-Genres are the divisions of main genres for example, Chick Flicks. Great examples of Chick Flicks are:

Romy and Michelle’s High School Reunion (1997)

Starring Mira Sorvino and Lisa Kudrow

Bride Wars (2009)

Starring Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway

Never Been Kissed

Starring Drew Barrymore, David Arquette and Michael Vartan

These movies are all chick flicks because they are films that appeal to young women.

Chosen Genre

Romantic Comedy

The genre I have chosen is Romantic Comedy because I love watching films from that hybrid genre. For Example, 50 First Dates, Friends with Benefits

Elements associated with genre

• A Rose
• Rain
• Music (mostly happy and cheerful)
• A girl liking another guy or a guy liking another girl
• Humorous Confrontations
• Vulnerability
• A Big Outing (telling a character they feel publicly)
• Somebody gets upset (emotional)
• Everyone lives happily ever after

Mise en scene of that genre

• High Key Lighting

The reason why high key lighting is used in Romantic Comedies is to diminish dark shadows, so that the lighting is balance in frame, a lot of three point lighting is used in High Key Lighting. Another reason why cinematographers use high key lighting is so that the scene look more natural and realistic when we look at the screen.

Film Stars associated with this genre

• Katherine Heigl
• Jennifer Ainston
• Adam Sandler
• Ashton Kutcher
• Gerard Butler

The Ugly Truth (2009)

The film I have chosen is of a Hybrid genre; an Romance Comedy and themes of this movie are: Love and Relationships.

This is a linear narrative because it is in order and does not confuse the audience. It starts with the Set Up, then the Conflict and finally the Resolution. The generic conversions of this 10 minute sequence are: Laughter, Kissing, An obstacle (for example,in sequence is her boyfriend).

This is the 10 minute sequence I have chosen (71:00 – 81:00).

71:00 – 72:50

The setting is based inside a hotel with a dance floor, the setting is very elegant with a disco ball in the middle of the dance floor, giving the location a party theme. This creates a humorous and exciting atmosphere. The main character (female) is wearing a beige dress and the main character (male) is wearing a black shirt polo with a grey blazer. The dress code immediately tell the audience that they have dressed for a formal occasion. He is wearing a watch, which tells the audience that he is a business man or he is very busy. She is also wearing a watch, which means is important and she is being she is a producer for a news company.

The main character(female) hair is full and thick, it is blonde and is intended to make her look sexy. Also, her makeup is very natural and enhances her beauty. They are both wearing makeup so that the scene looks more realistic and more appealing. The facial expression given by both of the actor are happy, this facial expressions evokes enjoy and excitement from the audience. Their body language symbolises how close their relationship is becoming.

When they are dancing, the routine is very sexual and positioning of the actors determines how close they are. Also, when they are dancing they are both centered portraying equal importance. The colour of the room is vibrant and the scene includes high key lighting. The scene uses filler lighting that point directly at the main characters to brighten the scene shows the characters more and dimer filler lighting to add lighting to the scene atmosphere/background).

72:50 – 73:00

After the dancing had finished they are now waiting for the lift to arrive, so the setting is in a hotel lobby. Two key lights (the lamps) are used to brighten up the lobby, the way the characters are positioned are very distant and their body language shows that portray that they are anxious,nervous and maybe seem a bit awkward. Their facial expression show that they are confused s to what they are feeling at that moment.

The hair, make-up and costume are still the same however, she takes off her heels. The colours of the hotel walls are appropriate for the scene, there are plain and classy, which compliment and implement class to the scenery (background), and the flowers add colour.

73:00 – 74:30

Now they are in the lift and about to go to their separate rooms, the lift is well lit. They two characters wait side by side waiting for the lift to stop, they positioning of the two characters are very close and their facial expression show that they both had a really good time. Then they hug to say goodbye, when they hug their facial expression indicate that they fancy each other and then they hug for a second time.

The lift door are slightly pushing them closer and the lighting from outside the lift contrast the light from inside the lift. The lift décor looks plain and simple, it contrasts with her and I think that it is plain simple because they décor should not over the actors (characters). Furthermore, they way that they actors are using their body language implies that none of them want to leave.

76:02 – 78:50

He starts walking up and down the corridor, his body language and facial expression portrays uncertainty. Filler lighting is used to lighten the scenery and back lights. Then he knocks on the door and a male character (her boyfriend) opens the door with a smile on his face. He is stunned to find her boyfriend standing there, this evokes sympathy from the audience. Then she appears, you can see the connection through their eyes and their stare.

Clueless (1995)

This film is a Romantic Comedy, which is a Hybrid genre, the themes are: Friendship, Love, Identity, Hierarchy etc.

The narrative in this movie is Linear because the structure of the film is in order and does not confuse the audience, it is based on the structure: Setup, Conflict and then the Resolution. The generic conversions of this 10 minute sequence are: Laughter, Kissing, and Insecurities.

This is the 10 minute sequence I have chosen from the movie Clueless.

1:02.24 – 1:05.00

Cher, Murray and Dionne are in a red car on the road because Murray is teaching Dionne how to drive.

Murray is wearing a white top underneath a blue and white patterned shirt with an Adidas hoody (grey and black) and a woolly hat. Also, he is wearing a gold chain with a golden pendent type jewellery. Dionne is wearing a white patterned hat and a white woolly dress and Cher is wearing a white top with a light blue dungaree, a light blue necklace and white and light blue earrings. The clothes that they wear reflect on the era in which this film was made or based on (the 90’s in America).

Dionne has single plaited extensions as her hairstyle, however, Cher has straight hair that is tied up into a ponytail.Murray has a short hair unfortunately you can not see it because is wearing a hat.

Cher’s makeup is very natural, she is wearing a beige type of lipstick, foundation and powder that matches her skin tone and a beige blush. I think Cher’s makeup was done to look like she doesn’t have any makeup on at all.

Dionne is wearing pink and white eye shadow with pink blush and pink lipstick, this means that the makeup was going for a more girly look and i think Murray is wearing make up but only to made his skin tone getting rid of any blemishes or shiny spots on his face.

Murray and Dionne are in the sits of the car whilst Cher is in the back. The lighting used was high key lighting, natural lighting is used as well as a diffuser to block out extra sunlight.

1:08.19 – 1:08.35

Cher’s Bedroom, she is looking for something. Her room is clutter with clothes and everything is just a mess. This shows that what she is looking for is really important. The clothes that surround are very vibrant and colourful, she like wears clothes of all colours portraying the fashion wise part of her personality.

The backpack in frame sitting in the chair shows her sense of humour and reflects her age. In addition, filler lighting is used (the lamp on the side) as decoration and to bring a bit of light to the scene, also, the background light coming from the window but other than that the high key lighting is used.

Cher is wearing a white top with a plait skirt, plait was very popular and in fashion at the time (90’s American), it is constantly worn throughout the movie. Also, she is wearing white kind of see through socks and silver coloured high heels.

Cher’s hair is straight down with a side fringe and The makeup on Cher (played by Alicia Silverstone) is natural, I think that her makeup is throughout the movie with a few expectations.

Furthermore, in this time frame Cher’s facial expressions show her frustration and the way she stamps her feet on the ground indicate to the audience that she is having a bit of a tantrum (she is 15 years old). Also, Cher is in the centre of the room so you automatically know it’s about her and if you just start watching that she is the main protagonist.

Conclusion:

how do film maker keep audiences interested in going to see genre films?

After watching and analysing the two movies (The Ugly Truth and Clueless) I have discovered that film makers keep audiences interested in going to see genre film by creating snappy and effective trailers. In comparison, the narrative is mostly linear following the ordered structure of the setup, then the conflict and finally the resolution.