Film Genres
Monday, January 25, 2016Horror
Films within the horror genre are usually set in urban environments as they tend to connote isolation and uncanniness. It's typical that a character/group of characters live in/visit a house or abandoned hotels/alyssums that have a unique and dark history. Horror films aim to scare to audience, therefore editing and specific camera angles are highly important technical codes within the horror genre. Handheld shots and using depth of field in frameworks aids the difficulty for the audience to make out what is happening, thus causing fear and confusion. Certain sounds also help the audience to distinguish a film belonging to the horror genre, such as scratchy/high pitched music and exaggerated ambient diegetic sounds, e.g. footsteps. Lighting is expressive and significant as it can build a sense of fear by creating dark shadows and unfamiliar shapes. Additionally, the iconography of the monsters helps to connotate extreme terror and anxiety - these can variate from ghosts, possessed humans, werewolves, vampires, frankenstein etc. Props/weaponry helps the audience to identify the horror genre, and wether the character holding them is a villain or a hero (e.g. knives, guns, masks, costumes, wounds).Who is the target audience of each of these genres, and what do film companies do to attract these audiences in terms of marketing?
Horror films tend to attract people aged between 15-25. This is because young audiences are less susceptible to being put off violence and unnatural images in films, and horror films give them senses of thrill and excitement. Horror films also target couples on a first date or have been together for a while, as they seem to be good conversation starters after the film, and are therefore a popular choice. Males are more likely to watch horror films than females because they are more able to interact with the characters and handle disturbing scenes.
Sci-fi
The sci-fi genre use props/objects of futuristic technologies that possess scientific elements. This is because sci-fi films are set in the future or an alternative timeline - this targets audiences who are imaginative and enjoy films that allows the viewer to see the narrative from a more neutral perspective. Sci-fi films are set in a range of locations, depending on the story line - for example, if the film contains elements of extra-terrestrial life, it may be set in outer space of an alternative version of earth. Therefore, futuristic props, costumes and setting represent the scientific advancement at the centre of the movie. Narrative elements tend to consist of conflict between good and evil, which leads to violence using efficient and surreal technology e.e spaceships and robots. This is a technique that comments on conflicts within society, especially on the relationships between different countries/cultures that can therefore symbolise real life scenarios and create a connection between fiction and reality.Who is the target audience of each of these genres, and what do film companies do to attract these audiences in terms of marketing?
Sci-fi Films attract both genders as they posses engaging material which can put viewers 'on the edge' and feel uplifted. However, as sci-fi films contain scientific, technological and action-packed scenes, the genre tends to attract more males than females, despite being popular in both genders. Sci-fi films have a range of content that can be family friendly but also result in their target audience portraying a higher minimum age rating.
Comedy
Comedy films always occur in bright places or social events. This is because sunlight symbolises a happy sensation and humour usually occurs when two or more people exchange dialogue. The camerawork used for most comedies is naturalistic and the characters are filmed in a way that shows everyone is equal. Diegetic sound is highly significant convention of the comedy genre as the dialogue needs to be clear. This will favour the audience to understand the joke so they can laugh at it. Non-diegetic sound is usually used to place emphasis on certain scenes, such as modern day/chart/pop music. This is because comedic films are aimed towards teenager - young adults and stereotypically, they include clubbing, drinking and women. Props are usually included in comedies as they are a good strategy to make the audience laugh if a character falls over one/hurts themselves because of it. They are especially useful in slapstick comedy. The main characters of the comedy genre are usually idiotic people who are ones that are laughed at - this is because their personalities in contrast to 'normal' people emphasises their stupidity and clumsiness. As well as this, highly intelligent people are used as a factor of humour as they are stereotypically socially awkward and unaware of social boundaries. A common attribute within characters is sarcasm.
Who is the target audience of each of these genres, and what do film companies do to attract these audiences in terms of marketing?
Most comedy films are rated 15 or 18 due to their high level of explicit dialogue which is unsuitable for children to witness. This shows that most comedies are aimed towards teenagers/young adults. However, comedy films can attract families to watch them, but those that do usually possess another genre, such as adventure, and are not always comedic throughout the film's duration.
Romance
Romance films are typically set in a well known city/area, depending on the film's storyline and the character's occupation. This helps to create a realistic atmosphere and can connect the audience to the film. A voiceover/narration by one of the main characters is usually included in order to inform the audience about the theme of love. The iconic action of 'boy meets girls' is very typical in a romance film, and they usually end in a happy ending. However, within a romance film a crisis forms that damages the quality of the couple's relationship - for example, an individual (typical the female's father) who does not approve their status (e.g Endless Love). This helps to convince the audience that it's possible for a relationship to work out/last, no matter what it goes through. Romance films also show and emphasise the character's emotions for each other and how the quality of their relationship is making them feel. The romance genre also aims towards different sexualities, and financial/social statuses.Who is the target audience of each of these genres, and what do film companies do to attract these audiences in terms of marketing?
Atypically, Romance films tend to attract an audience of first world citizens such as teenage girls between ages 12-16. This is because girls prefer films with a light-hearted storyline which tend to finish with a 'happy ever after', and therefore find them likeable Romantic films can also target some young couples on a date to get them in a passionate mood. Traditionally, less serious film fans go to Romantic films due to their less artsy and more relaxed nature.
Teen
The teen genre atypically consists of cliques in a high school/educational setting, that relate to modern day stereotypes within the proclaimed age group. For example, groups of teenagers who have a high social status sit on separate tables from people who are less popular, and are also titled to have a bitchy and manipulative reputation. Other typical cliques in teen films are the emos/goths, geeks/nerds, loners, and stoners. These types of stereotypes are easily recognised by the audience, through the style of clothing they wear. In most teen films, the main character find themselves to not fit into any clique and appear to break stereotypes. Despite that a high school is a popular setting to be possessed in teen movies, they can also be set in houses (usually a bedroom),at university (e.g, Pitch Perfect), in the shopping mall or a large city, such as NYC. The teen genre also highlights feelings and issues felt by the majority of everyday teenagers and how they deal with them. These can include of feeling peer pressured to smoke/take substances, feeling like an outcast/alone, and hating life. This helps to target the genre's specific audience so they can relate to the character's emotions.Who is the target audience of each of these genres, and what do film companies do to attract these audiences in terms of marketing?
Action
Action movies are usually set in cities and other urban areas. This helps the film 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. Close up shots, establishing shots and tracking shots helps the audience to experience the action and feel more involved in it. Sound also plays a huge part in the feeling the audience gets - during the violence, any diegetic sound are amplified to make it more exciting e.g. gunshots. As well as sounds, props also help to identify the action genre due to their enigma codes (e.g guns, grenades and tanks). The main protagonist is usually the hero (and have a sidekick) and the villain is iconically distinctive through their accent or a specific physical feature. Most action films result in humanity being restored by the hero and falling in love with a female character who was a victim of the villain's master plan.Who is the target audience of each of these genres, and what do film companies do to attract these audiences in terms of marketing?
The target audience for action films are usually aimed towards a wide range of age groups, but males aged between 15-25 are a large proportion of the genre's audience. This is because it's stereotypical for men to be drawn to violent and lively films. Many action films are set at a 12/12A age rating as they usually attract younger groups of people who like a good adrenaline burst. Many action films are sequels, which therefore attract their fan bases to see the other films.
Crime/Dramas
Crime films/Dramas tend to focus on serious and accurate issues that occur in reality. This implies that many dramas have climaxes and anti climaxes to keep the audience emotionally attached, and that they do not always happily end the way the audience wanted it to. Plot twists are highly effective as the audience would not predict certain things to happen (e.g. Shutter island). Dramas are usually set in places where everyday people live, e.g flats, towns, rural places etc. They portray journeys of character development and lots of social interaction. Typical props tend to include drugs, guns, knives, handcuffs, alcohol and mobile phones. Clothing-wise, period dramas behold old fashioned clothing as costumes for the characters, depending on the era its set in. This showed the depth dramas to to make their films seem as realistic as possible.Who is the target audience of each of these genres, and what do film companies do to attract these audiences in terms of marketing?
Dramas/Crime films aim to have a dramatic and factual storyline to move the audience emotionally. Because of this, many dramas are unsuitable for children as they contain drags, nudity and violence. This genre also attract teenagers as they are more intrigued in discovering more about issues that commonly affect their age group. Older adults also watch crime/dramas as many prefer senses of realism intend of fiction/imagination.
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