Genre Analysis

What Is Genre?

Genre is a French word, pronounced as “Jon-Dra”. It is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art

or entertainment, e.g. music, whether written or spoken, audio or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria.

Genres are formed by conventions that change over time as new genres are invented and the use of old ones are discontinued.

Often, works fit into multiple genres by way of borrowing and recombining these conventions.

Classification of Genres

Genre classification is the process of grouping objects together based on defined similarities such as subject, format, style, or purpose.

There are 4 Main Genres. i.e. Literary, Film and Television, video games, and music genres.

These 4 Genres further divides into sub-genres like Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Sci-fiction, Thriller, and many more.

Genres are further divided into Sub-Genres

Biopic films – sub-genre of the larger drama and epic film genres,Chick-Flicks or gal films – mostly include romantic comedies, fantasy-action adventures, family crisis and women’s issues,Detective & Mystery films – sub-genres of crime/gangster films or suspense/thriller,Disaster films – sub-genre of action films,Fantasy films– usually considered a sub-genre, are most likely to overlap with the film genres of science fiction and horror e.g. super-hero movies,Guy-Films – Composed of macho films that are often packed with sophomoric humor, action, cartoon violence, competition, mean-spirited putdowns and gratuitous nudity and sex.Supernatural films – a sub-genre of comedy, sci-fi, fantasy or horror.

CODES & CONVENTIONS.

All genres have some similar features through which we recognize them. Codes and conventions – are responses to what the industry believed the

consumers / audience wanted. Codes and conventions in film industry were used to insure maximum pleasure or engagement of audience in relation to the film narrative.

Codes and conventions differ with film industry. Hollywood & Bollywood film industry follows the codes and conventions for the same genre in a different way. For example Hollywood films are realistic, they usually follow the genre & theme in a simple way where as Bollywood films are more exaggerated and they add more “spice” because their audience prefer to see such films so they need to keep the wishes of their targeted audience in their mind.

In normal viewing we experience simultaneously a number of codes which all comes under the MISEN SCENE. Mis en scene is a French word. It literally means “put in the scene”. It refers to almost everything that goes into the shot: Settings, Props, Costumes, Performance and Movement, Lightning, Camera and Camera Movement, Editing, Sound and Narrative.

Genre: Drama

The purpose of a dramatic storyline is to move the audience emotionally. Drama films depend mostly on the development of realistic characters dealing with emotional issues.

In most cases the film concentrates on normal character(s) that is dealing with a conflict or dilemma. Dramas often give actors a chance to stretch into a role that other genres wouldn’t allow them to do. This is because drama films focus on building up characters that the audience can engage with.

How Drama Film Is Structured? A drama film is structured in a very specific way in order to keep

the audiences attention, and make them become emotionally attached to the action what is going on in the film. To do this they structure the films to have climaxes and anti-climaxes so that there are peaks and troths in the tension. This keeps the audience interested and stops their mind wandering from the film.

Genre: Drama

The central theme of a drama genre is that it is character driven. A drama film doesn’t have some elements e.g. amazing (possibly CGI-created) location (adventure), awesome stunts or explosions (action) and there is no excitement or fear from a dark, spooky castle (thriller). But without these elements, a drama film has to take the audience on an emotional rollercoaster ride. This is done through that the story line revolves around emotions of the influential characters. A drama film offers intense character development and tells an honest story of human struggle. The heart of a drama film is conflict. There is a climax in drama films usually and they are extremely plot driven. A drama film is essentially a drama film because of the way it makes the audience relate and sympathize with the characters. This is done through a mixture of a cleverly written script, a heightened level of tension and a good use of editing.

Sub-Genres of Drama

Drama is probably the broadest movie genre and includes subgenres such as romantic drama, sport films, historical, period drama, courtroom drama and crime.

Sub-Genres of Drama

Romantic Drama film is a genre that explores the complex side of love. The plot usually centers on an obstacle that is preventing love between two people. It ends with the lovers separating because of the enormity of the obstacle, the realization of incompatibility, or simply fate.

Tragedy Drama is a genre wherein the downfall of the character is caused by a flaw within the character.

Historical is a sub-genre of Drama film that examines a specific time in history or group of people.

Sub-Genres of Drama

Period Piece is a sub-genre of Drama film that focuses on a specific time era. The era in which the film is set adds not only to the plot, but to the characters and costumes as well.

Courtroom drama film uses the justice system as a main component of the plot. The story usually unfolds inside a courtroom with the prosecutor, judge, jury, and the defense. Tension plays a large part in courtroom dramas as the verdict can often mean life or death.

Crime drama films comprises of character development based on themes involving criminals, law enforcement and the legal system.

Sub-Genre: Social Drama

Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, sexuality, poverty, class divisions, violence against women and corruption are presented in drama films.

Drama films often, but not always, have tragic ending or painful resolutions. This can be applied to my film as the mother dies in the end.

MIS EN SCENE:

Lighting – Low key lighting is usually used in drama films. But High key lighting can also be used to show happiness.

Camera Angles/Shots  – As far as the shots are concerned, close-ups of characters are used to show expressions and Low Angle and High angle shots are used to portray strength and weakness amongst characters

.Props such as Knifes, Guns, Alcohol, Mobile phones, Drugs are usually used in drama films.

MIS EN SCENE:

Setting – Outdoors, Run down buildings/houses, Council flats, Houses etc.

Costume – The characters will be seen wearing costumes which the audience can relate to in a drama film. E.g. Business man in a suit, doctor in a white lab coat, teenagers wearing hoodie and hat etc.

Editing – Different editing techniques can be used in a drama film depending on its narrative. Mostly, shot reverse shots and parallel editing are most common.

Sound – Intense music is usually used in dram films. Filmi music can also be used in Bollywood drama films.

Codes & Conventions of Social Drama Films:-

Exhibits real life situations with realistic characters, settings, and stories Portrays journeys of character development Intense social interaction Purpose of a dramatic story line is to move the audience emotionally Heart of drama is the conflict Conflicts include inner/outer realistic struggles depicting hardships,

difficulty, and pain Audience can relate to the Characters (Preferred reading – Halls Theory) Structured with climaxes and anti climaxes to keep the audience

emotionally attached and the tension ongoing A form of realization at the end/happily ending.

Codes & Conventions of Social Drama Films:-

Portrays a characters journey and developments Exhibits real life characters, situations, settings and stories Intense social interaction Dramatic sounds and exaggerated performance.

References

http://www.slideshare.net/Animalize/drama-genre-research-powerpoint-1

http://www.slideshare.net/libbyannjones/research-into-drama-film-genre

http://www.slideshare.net/FarjanaTahmin/conventions-of-drama-films

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Made by:-Syed Shan Tariq

A2-F