Genre Research

Genre Theory

Rick Altman proposed an advanced theory of genre which consisted of the semantic and syntactic approach.• Semantic- this includes the genres conventions of the

films genres which include characters, location and props.

• Syntactic- This is concerned with the regulations between the semantic and the structure of narratives.

By employing this approach, it allows us to have a more sophisticated reading of any genre.

HORROR GENRE

CONVENTIONS• Low key lighting• Strobe lighting• Close ups• Canted angles• Long shots• Low angle shot• High angle shot• Establishing shot• Point of view• Church• Haunted house• School • Supernatural• Children or teenagers• Gothic

EXAMPLES AND WHY• To make the audience feel lost and scared• To create panic in the audience• To show scared facial expressions• To make the audience feel confused• To fully show the victimiser to audience • To make the victimiser look powerful• To make the victim look weak• To show the main location of events• To put the audience in the characters fear• E.g Rosemary’s Baby• E.g The Conjuring• E.g Jennifer’s Body• E.g vampires, werewolves, ghosts, devils• E.g. the Exorcist, The Cabin in the Woods• E.g Dracula, Frankenstein, Rebecca

THRILLER GENRE

Conventions• Low key lighting• Background lighting • Over the shoulder shots• Canted angles• Low angle shot• High angle shot• Establishing shot• Point of view• Asylum • Mental health • Church • Police• Weapons

EXAMPLES AND WHY• To create suspense and build fear in audience • To make the audience feel more intimate with the film• To make the audience feel more involved with the crime• To make the audience feel confusion • To make the killer look powerful • To make the victim look weak against killer• To establish the location to the audience• To put the audience in the characters fear• A place to highlight the mental health of killer • To highlight religion and create a feel of rebellion against it • Common characters there to help catch the killer• Commonly used in thrillers to kill victims (e.g. knife in

Psycho)

COMEDY GENRE

CONVENTIONS• High ley lighting • Natural lighting• Close ups• Long shots• Over the shoulder

shots• Establishing shot• Teenagers• Young adults• Old people • Typical situations

EXAMPLES AND WHY• To bring a light hearted feel to the film• To make the film feel non artificial and realistic • To show the facial expressions of the characters• To show the body language of characters which could be comical• To make t audience feel more intimate with a character• To establish the location of the film• Teenagers are the centre of funny situations (e.g. American Pie)• Young adults growing old is also a funny topic (e.g. Bridesmaids)• Older people are also considered funny in films (e.g. Last Vegas)• Typical comedy film situations include weddings (Weeding Crashers),

meeting parents (Meet the Fockers), High school struggles (Mean Girls) and finding love (There’s something about Mary)

ROMANTIC GENRE

CONVENTIONS• High key lighting • Natural lighting • Close ups• Long shot• Two shot• Over voice• Weddings• Being reunited • Music • City's

EXAMPLES AND WHY• To create a feel of happiness and hope• To reflect the natural relationship • To show character's emotions • Used to show the body language of the characters• To show the films couples together• Romance films commonly have a voice over (Sex

and the City)• the films usually end in a wedding to show the

happily ever after (27 Dresses)• After the couple usually taking a break in the

relationship fait reunites them (The Notebook)• Music is quite consistent through romance films

(The Last Five Years)• Most romance films are set in the city (Sex and the

City, Friends with Benefits)