Setting in film
Saturday, December 12, 2015A setting is the time, place and social environment in which a film is set in, and helps to initiate the backdrop of a narrative. It includes context beyond the immediate surroundings of the story, such as culture, historical period and geography. Along with plot, character, theme, and style, setting is considered one of the fundamental components of a film. Because of this, Setting is highly important in the construction of mine-en-scene and creating an understanding for the viewer. Different genres include specific settings that link with the mood of the film.
Comedy
Comedy films are usually based in casual and common places with bright lighting. This is because lighting reflects the mood that the film aims to show. As humorous moments can happen just about anywhere, films within the comedy genre have a diverse range of settings. For example, they can feature in an office (Wolf of wall Street), in an apartment (Ted), in a school (The Inbetweeners) or in hot/coastal locations (21 Jump Street). This is because humour within comedies usually occurs through the actions of characters, not the setting itself. These types of settings are also similar to everyday locations that may be possessed by the audience.
Horror
Horror films are typically set in dark and ghostly locations that provide a sense of anxiety. This usually helps the audience to identify the genre. For instance, they are commonly based in a haunted derelict/abandoned house (Poltergeist) in which a fatality caused the location to be possessed by an evil spirit. Similarly, urban houses are also featured in more modern horror films (Paranormal Activity), as this type of setting helps to relate to the audience more. Grave Yards are also used as they have connotations of death and ghosts. Additionally, Rural locations also fit well with the theme of horror as they are often isolated, dark, and difficult to escape from (Blair Witch Project).
Drama
The locations of drama films are usually located in a variety of settings. This can make it difficult for the audience to identify the genre. They are usually based in urban areas, which relates to the audience and makes drama movies link more to reality and everyday lifestyles. This makes drama films more intellectual, an aspect of the genre they aim to entail. For example, flats, housing estates, schools, ghettos, and workplaces are all common settings. However, as many drama films are based on true happenings, the setting of them has to link to the story its based from, (Titanic,Schindler's List and Everest).
Action
Action films are located in places where violence is likely to take place, such as military bases and war zones (Saving Private Ryan). Urban areas are often featured, as large cities are usually targets of widespread eradication, proceeded by villains. Secret agency offices is another popular location of action films as its where heroes report back to (James Bond).
The setting of urban areas helps action films to relate to the audience if they live near the area of the setting. Action films are also set in urban places intentionally as when rushing past a building you get a better sense of speed and energy then you would in the countryside. Specific locations can include on motorways, skyscrapers and underground tunnels.
Romance
Romance films are usually set in urban places, for the same reasons as dramas. This is because cities, apartments, beaches and schools are typical locations in which romantic attractions are formed and encountered in (Blue is the Warmest Colour). However, some romance films are set in places which are the opposite of romance and happiness, such as battlefields (Dear John). This implies that setting can provide a particular mood which can determine wether there is downfall of a relationship, e.g a loss or casualty.
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