Generic Conventions/ Genre

Learning Objective: 
Think about how Generic conventions are used together in order to make a genre.

Learning Outcomes:
ALL: Will be able to explain what a generic convention is and give an example. E

MOST: Will be able to identify and explain the purpose of 2-4 Generic Conventions. C

SOME:  Will be able to use media language effectively to explain purpose of 5 or more Generic Conventions and relate that to a thriller film. A

Generic Convention

What the audience expect to see in that film genre.In a thriller film the generic conventions we expect to see, in regards to aspects such as sound may be eerie music, creaking doors and bad weather conditions. It is generally based around the expectations of that genre, what we would typically see within it.

Keywords

Conventional: What you expect (from a genre)

Unconventional: What you would not expect (from a genre)

Diegetic sound: The sound comes from the film world

Non diegetic sound: The sound would not be heard in the film world

2 Genres and examples of the generic convention:

Action

Sound:  Explosive booming / gun shots/ screeching cars ( non-diegetic to emphasize ).

Characters: Male figured hero, woman who he saves or sexy decoy , super-villain.

Cinematography: Hand held camera movement for quicker exciting scenes.

Narrative: A male iconic figure saving the world from a notorious criminal.

Lighting: Low key lighting.

Mise-en-scene:  Props such as Guns, military tanks, costumes and make up ( dirty rugged hero, ripped shirt).

Fairy Tale

Sound: Birds chirping slow musical instrumental as a non diegetic background song.

Character: Handsome prince, beautiful young princess.

Cinematography:  simple tracking movement to follow characters, maybe zooming into close ups to display emotions of characters.

Narrative: A young prince falls in love with a princess who needs saving from a spell a wicked witch castes on her.

Lighting: high key lighting to set a brighter feel, so it appears more natural to the audience and the characters in love.

Mise-en-scene : Castle, crowns. - Costume and make up ,  long gowns/elegant shoes and robes (princess with red lipstick long eyelashes)

The Proposal (Romantic Comedy)

Sound: Find my way by The Gabe Dixon Band Soundtrack, fast swift song/ upbeat rhythmic ( non diegetic).

Characters: First introduced to a female character-organised, athletic, hard working.

2^nd character male character - opposite character to female, un-organised (wakes up to alarm late).

Cinematography: Zoom ( When female is on training bike) – show the wider scene of  her watching television while exercising and reading.

Long shot ( male character running to work) show characters full length and urgency.

Narrative: So far we can assume it is a story of to characters that are completely opposite to each other that may meet and fall in love.

Lighting: High key lighting to show a more natural appearance, early morning when the wake up.

Mise-en-scene: Costumes – professional work clothes/ exercise tracksuit -Props used.

Unconventional are those placed in within a genre which we would not normal see. There have been many recent unconventional films that do not follow the conventions and dynamics of the genre. Shrek is a prime example of this.

Shrek was made to oppose the conventions of a typical fairytale film . Making the hero/ protagonist an ugly ogre who falls in love with a princess who is also an ogre at night because of a curse does not follow the dynamics or met the expectations of what the fairytale narrative should be.  The characters also are unconventional. Princess Fiona who should be a helpless female who needs rescuing and protecting is in fact a black belt in karate. What makes this film so popular is that it is will never be an obvious film with a typical narrative there will always be suspense as the audience will never know what to expect.


 There are various sub groups of thriller as a genre and therefore when  thinking of the thriller genre and what would be noted as a typical convention within it, it may differ depending on what sub group of thriller it is. The different types of thrillers are listed below.

Conspiracy thriller: In which the hero/heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies whose true extent only he/she recognizes.
Crime thriller: This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes.
Disaster thriller: In which the main conflict is due to some sort of natural or artificial disaster,
Legal thriller: In which the lawyer-heroes/heroines confront enemies outside, as well as inside, the courtroom and are in danger of losing not only their cases but their lives.
Erotic thriller: In which it consists of erotica and thriller
Medical thriller :In which the hero/heroine are medical doctors/personnel working to solve an expanding medical problem.
Mystery thriller: Suspense films where characters attempt solving, or involved in, a mystery
Political thriller:  In which the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. 
Psychological thriller: n which (until the often violent resolution) the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical. Rape and Revenge films: Out of the sub-genres of exploitation film, this focuses more on the thriller elements such as suspense, tension, some action and fast-pacing rather than scares and the supernatural.
 Religious thriller: In which the plot is closely connected to religious objects, institutions and questions. While suspense stories have always shown a significant affinity for religion and philosophical issues.
Supernatural thriller: In which the film brings in an otherworldly element mixed with tension, suspense and plot twists. Sometimes the hero and/or villain has some psychic ability. 
Techno Thriller: A suspense film in which the manipulation of sophisticated technology plays a prominent part.

Relation To My Own Thriller Film :
After researching the types of thrillers I could potential make in my opening. I have decided more on the idea of psychological or crime as these are the most popular ones and the conventions are easy to create. Films such as Phone Booth, Shutter Island, Secret Window.

Sound: With thrillers typical eerie music may be used to create suspense and keep the audience on edge of what could potentially happen in the narrative.

Character: The characters can vary. Usually there is a killer or a ‘villain’ in a sense within psychological, in crime there could be a detective or police officer trying to uncover the crime that has been committed or stop the ‘villain’ from committing these crimes. 

Cinematography:  simple tracking movement to follow characters; close ups to show the emotions of characters fears.  High angle shots to be able to see a wider viewing of the location and action in the scene as more action goes on in quicker paced thriller films.

Narrative: rape or murder story lines, uncovering crimes or mysteries.

Lighting: Low key lighting to accompany the eerie mood of the music and narrative.

Mise-en-scene : props – use of weapon like knives, guns, Blood and cuts and bruises if a killer is involved.