RESEARCH- Post 10- What is Genre?

Genre: a style or category of art, music or literature.

Genres are used as a way  to categorise different products that share similar features.

•   They quickly help to establish differences between different media forms
•   Help to establish certain codes and conventions that film makers can follow in order to make       the product look a certain way  
•   Help to establish certain expectations and familiarity in audiences
•   Help audiences to develop personal tastes around genre and consumption

Thriller

'Seven': (analysis)

- The camera distance was extremely close throughout. There were cuts of mark-making appearing over the moving images, perhaps from a diary? Still moving images were also used which moved quickly one after the other, some for a longer period of time. The angles used were: birds eye view, long shots as well as extremely long shots to capture major details. 

-The editing used was the use of shadowing which was incorporated into moving images at the start and end of that particular frame- smooth transition to the next shot. There were also overlapping images which are almost transparent but still visible. Fast paced shots which were continuous, followed by black cuts with white typography which appears to be handwritten. Distorted credits (typography) almost as if shaken. Sketches and lines added on top of the moving images adding to the effect and complimenting the typography used. 

- The Mise-en-scene consisted of a dark room, sharp objects which seemed to be a razor and a needle. There was also a show of journal or a notebook which was empty at the start yet the character filled it in when continuing till the end. Signs of skin and flesh being cut, as well as a band aid used as props. Paper being sewn together and books displayed. 

-Sound was quite repetitive with strong accented back beats. Mysterious yet generic, with added texture by using sound effects like tapes, records, shattering, saws and an old radio.

Thriller/ Crime

'The Usual Suspects' - (analysis)

-The camera technique used continuously is a long distance shot of the water or river at night. It is a consistent frame with no cuts or transitions in between.

-The editing in this film opening is quite simple, white typography credits on a black moving images background. There is no cuts, so the camera is moving smoothly to the right with credits appearing in the same place. The whole clip continues into pitch black darkness with no cut at the end.

- Mise-en-scene: The location could potentially be a canal, a river or the sea at night. The dark is a consistent setting through out with no lighting supplied, only the moon is supplying the light which reflects from the water.  

-The sound in this film opening consists of a string orchestra( a quartet?), piano and a bell. (classical movie setting) .

Horror

'American Horror Story'- (analysis)

- Camera: The camera moves along the possessions of ones character. It scans through different objects. Some stills of extremely close up shots and medium long shots. 

-Editing:There is a black background and classic white typography , although it seems to have a unique font and the scale is quite big located in the centre. (Distinctive design of font- suits mood/genre). There is also fire which is applied onto photographs, it may or may not be real? Fast paced cuts and transitions.

-Mise-en-scene: The location of the shooting is the basement or a storage unit where everything haunting is stored. It looks like an old and abandoned setting, the camera along with the audience is scanning through different possessions such as photographs which later on are set on fire. The props used are jars- body parts stored. There is also blood and covered up props.

-Sound: The soundtrack sounds like it has especially been made for the type of film. It has effects such as a muffled Tv, motor or saw sounds, cricket( repetitive) and a telephone.

Overall, I prefer these genres as they explore the dark side of ones mind or actions. It is thrilling as well as chilling when watching, expecting the unexpected. The film openings create an atmosphere which prepares the audience for what's to come, like the use of soundtracks which contribute to the genre and give a sense of haunting as well as it being sinister. These two genres combined allow the everyday to be turned into something that is to be feared or simply left to ones imagination.