Genre is a category of artistic composition either in music or literature, characterized by similarities in nature, style or subject matter. Films can be categorized by by the setting, theme, topic, mood, format, target audience or budget.Films don't have to stick to their specific genre either you can get films that break the barrier between genres and they are known as sub-genre films. The most common type of sub-genre is Romantic-Comedy or Action Comedy Types of genre include:
- Period
- Drama Doc
- Crime
- Soap
- Comedy
Period Dramas
These are drama based during the times of Georgian and Edwardian times. They use over the top costumes, sets and props to capture the specific area. In TV and film however it refers to a crossover between two genres, most notably historical drama and romance. The idea is that the audience are attracted by the costumes as well as the content.
The Period Drama I have used as an example is the 2005 take on the classic novel Pride & Prejudice. The film is a perfect example of a period drama as it is set in the Georgian times and includes the genres stereotypes such as over the top clothing and the fact it is based in a historical background. Most period dramas are based of old English novels and Pride & Prejudice is no different. The film itself is about to people who fall in love but it is forbidden as they come from different backgrounds. This means that the films is also a romance as this is the main plot of the film.
Drama Documentary (Drama Doc)
In TV and film a drama doc is a documentary style that tries to re-enact actual historical events. Its core elements are based of actual historical events. However, the history can be recent as it is more relate-able for the audience. Sometimes the directors chose to create their drama doc at the real locations to give their film an in depth perspective. They can also include the real words of the historical events.
Example Apollo 13 (1995)
The Drama Documentary I have decided to use as a example was Ron Howard's Apollo 13. This is an example of a Drama Documentary as it tries to re-enact the true events of Apollo 13. however some of the film has been altered to make the film more suspenseful and impactful. The film also tries to make the setting realistic as possible setting it in space. The film also included the reaction of the real astronauts in the closing credits to show how their film compared to the real reactions of the actual space crew of Apollo 13.
Crime Drama
These are films and TV shows that focus the activities of convicted felons, the style can vary from realistic portrayals to over the top villains who are not real. The crimes and actions committed are always glorified in these films.
Quentin Tarantino hit film is a perfect example of a crime drama as it portrays the life's of a group of over the top criminals. This also fits in the genre because the crimes committed in this film are glorified. For example, in the scene where John Travolta and Samuel L. Jackson are interrogating a guy in his apartment and there is comic satire in a moment when they interrogate the man.
Soap Oprah's
They are known as 'Soaps' for short. It is an continuous episodic work of fiction. Historically they were broadcasted in the week days slots. The first serial considered to be a "soap opera" was Painted Dreams, which debuted on October 20, 1930 on Chicago radio station. Early radio series such as Painted Dreams were broadcast in weekday daytime slots, usually five days a week, when most of the listeners would be housewives, therefore, the shows were aimed at and consumed by a predominantly female audience. In the name, "soap" refers to the soap and detergent commercials originally broadcast during the shows, which were aimed at women who were cleaning their houses at the time of listening or viewing, and "opera" refers to the melodramatic character of the shows. (Soap opera, 2017)
Example: Hollyoaks
This is a perfect example of a Soap Oprah as it has daily episodes at a certain time. It claims to be realistic however, it is really over the top in order to attract more viewers for their show.
Comedy
In TV and film these are a combination of two genres, these are Comedy and Drama. The result s that is has a humorous and serious effect. The origin of comedy comes from as early as the 1890s during films pioneering stage. For example during the slient film phase where film was not able to have dialogue in them they had to heavily rely on 'slapstick' and 'burlesque' comedy. Burlesque comedy is the type of comedy aimed at older audiences as it included explicit material. Slapstick is completeley different as it was aimed at people of all age and it main humor was based around practical jokes, chases and collisions.
This is the first known slapstick silent film and it was directed and created by Lumiere Brothers and it is a 49 second film that consists of a innocent man trying to water his plants when a mischievous little boy jumps on the hose stoping the water flow the wan inspects the nozzle and brings it to his face the boy they stood of the hose and this led to the man getting soaked and the film ends with a chase around the garden.
Bibliography:
Soap opera (2017) in Wikipedia. Available at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap_opera (Accessed: 30 January 2017).
M, D. and Dave M (2009) Nuts-ka. Available at: http://www.slideshare.net/davidmufc14/history-of-comedy (Accessed: 1 February 2017).
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