Genre Research- Thriller, Action, Horror

Genre Research – Thriller

- A movie in the thriller genre is often characterized as having immense conflict, tension, and unexpected twists. This genre is extremely intriguing to us because of its conventions. We are very interested in the prospect of creating a film that would have a very intense or powerful meaning. Common CAMS in this genre include close up shots, tilted angles, handheld shots, and high angle shots. These shots are key to a genre like this because it gives the audience a heightened sense of anxiety. For example, close up shots convey especially intense emotion and tilted angles make the scene appear more daunting and confusing. Common sounds in this genre may include footsteps, gun shots, car engines, or banging. Oftentimes, thrillers will include car revving or scared whispering to convey something stressful and that the characters are somewhere they are not supposed to be. Common mis-en-scene in this genre could be guns, clocks, and harsher lighting. There are often elements of “time running out”, or something that threatens the well-being of the characters, so the use of clocks, televisions, or guns would be appropriate. Common editing in this genre includes shot-reverse-shots, eyeline matches, cross cutting, and cut away shots. These shots provide very quick connections to be shown throughout the films. These elements of editing are very helpful to creating a thriller film. Including a split screen or cut away shots allow the audience to track a fast-paced storyline, which is very common in a thriller film.  Example films in the thriller genre are “Get Out” and “Bird Box”. The common elements of thriller movies that we like are the fast pace, the emotional behavior of the characters, and the more chaotic/suspenseful filming style. Our idea directly coincides with these common elements. We would like to use shots and angles like the ones listed above to illustrate the high stakes that the characters are in. The elements of the genre that do not appeal to us as much are the very complex story lines because we do not have the ability to do that in such a short film. We must make our film concise enough to fit in a five-minute time frame, so we would like to implement the mood and feelings of a thriller movie, but not the complicated and long progression of the plot. We believe we can make our plot follow these conventions to illustrate our vision.

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Genre Research- Action

A movie enrolled in the action genre, also known as an "action adventure," is defined as, "a genre of film, TV, literature, etc., in which the primary feature is the constant slam-bang of fights, chases, explosions, and clever one-liners," according to literaryterms.net. Action adventures often follow a certain set of conventions or codes that producers either choose to follow or go against to convey the purpose of their film. These conventions include, but are not limited too, the camera angles and movements, the lighting, the editing techniques. and Mis-en-scene. To start off with, movies or productions in the action genre, that follow the conventions of the genre, typically use two-shots, tracking-shots, drone, shots, high angles, and finally close ups. As an example, tracking shots are typically used to convey a sense of high suspense, such as in a high speed car chase or an antagonist running from a protagonist. On the other hand, two-shots may be used to convey a sense of safety, as typically people are safer in groups. Another key aspect of the action genre is the mis-en-scene. Mis-en-scene by definition, "refers to what we see onscreen in a film. It’s the film’s visuals; meaning, all of the elements that appear on camera and their arrangement." This includes, the costumes, staging of the set, makeup, the actors, props, and locations. To kick it off, costumes in the action genre are typically used to convey the roles of an actor in the film. For instance, a cop may be dressed in their full uniform or a criminal may be dressed to blend in with the local area. In terms of lighting, action films are typically well lit accompanied by large bright flares such as explosions or flames in order to convey a "rebel" like character. Actor gender and racial profiles are typically not of significance, but in recent years we have seen increasing minority casts in large and significant roles, to protest social injustices. Furthermore, settings are usually in well populated areas to convey a sense of suspense as typically the antagonist is putting others in danger while the protagonist is in hot pursuit. Finally, props typically consist of weapons, such as handguns or knives and fast cars. Another important aspect of the action genre is editing. Many post-production techniques are used in action films, as if they were to happen in "real life" many actors in addition to the common public would be put at risk. As such green screen overlays, flashbacks, flashforwards, cross-cuttings, jump cuts, and actions matches are used to convey the purpose of the action genre. At last, action films make use of certain sound effects that convey or break suspense, for example gradual and slow building sounds that peak at the climax of an event or sharp sound effects.

Generally speaking, the action genre makes use of multiple, smaller, aspects in the 4 aspects of general film. However, in terms of the overall plots common themes consist of continuous movements, quick plot developments, multiple stunts or dangerous tasks, battles or armed conflicts, martials arts or hand to hand combat, and prolonged chasing acts. A few examples of action films that have been produced include Spectre (2015), Skyfall (2012), The Incredibles (2004), Enter the Dragon (1973), and Kill Bill Vol. 1 (2003).

In conclusion, after extensive research into the Action genre there are both elements that We do and do not like. For instance, the building of suspense, gradually building sounds, jump-cut and action match editing techniques, and common settings are all aspects we like, and believe would benefit the overall production of our film. However, there are certain aspects that we believe are not fitting to the overall theme of our movie. For example, the fast and continuous pacing, prolonged chase scenes, weapons and martial arts, and dangerous stunts. Overall, the action genre seems to be a relative fit for our movie, but is missing key aspects that are important to convey the purpose of our film. We believe we may need to go back to the drawing board and dive into the thriller and horror genre to make an appropriate decision.

Genre Research- Horror

Horror films are designed to incite fear, panic, and shock while still being entertaining for the viewer. Movie producers use camera angles, camera movements, editing techniques, sound, and Mise-en-scene to create horror films. Horror films traditionally use high angles, close ups, tracking shots, low angles, and establishing shots to convey the message. For example, a tracking shot may be used to create the image that a character is being chased. Diegetic and non-diegetic sound is extremely important in horror films to help enhance the fear and shock. Diegetic sound in horror films may be the sound of a chainsaw, a character screaming, footsteps, or creaking doors. Non-Diegetic sounds may be creepy music as well as eerie sounds. Mise-en-scene is also a key part in the production of horror films. Typically, the setting is in a dark, maybe abandoned or isolated area. This creates mystery and suspense for the viewer. Props may be knives, axes, chainsaws, or some type of weapon. Makeup may include dark eyes and fake blood. Black, red, and brown are colors seen throughout these films. The victims in these films may be dressed casually, just like someone is society. The villains may be dressed in a way to create an image of a character that incites fear upon the audience. Common editing techniques used are cut away, jump cuts, fades, and eye-line match. The editing is highly important to create the scary and gruesome parts of the film.  Three examples of horror films are Halloween, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and Night of the Living Dead. When researching horror films, we identified some elements that we liked but also many that we did not.  For instance, we like the use of cut away and eyeline matches to portray the message, but we do not like the use of gruesome props and actions as well as the dark color scheme. Although the horror genre fits some elements of our film we will continue our research to find the genre that best fits for us.