Film genres are categories of creative works based on stylistic criteria. A genre gives viewers information about a film's subject matter and tone. Common film genres include action, adventure, comedy, drama, fantasy, horror, romance, and science fiction. Romance films revolve around the love story between two main characters and aim to evoke strong emotions in viewers. Successful romance films use techniques like soft, romantic music; warm, diffused lighting; and settings like beaches or schools that facilitate chance encounters between potential lovers.

1. FILM GENRE

2. What is a genre?
Genre French pronunciation: [ʒɑ̃ʁ(ə)], "kind" or "sort", from Latin: genus (stem gener-),
Greek: genos, γένος) is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or
entertainment, e.g. music, whether written or spoken, audial 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. Genre theory is a branch of critical
theory.

3. What is a film genre?
When filmmakers and movie critics refer to a film genre, they generally mean a specific style
or subject matter. While a movie may have elements of a number of different genres, it is
often classified under a single genre for reference purposes. Some people may consider
director Mel Brook's movie Blazing Saddles to be in the Western genre, for instance, but its
satirical tone and comedic writing put it squarely in the genre of comedy. Other film genres
include drama, romantic comedy, action/adventure, musical and experimental.

4. A film's inclusion in a recognized genre gives potential viewers some general hints about its
subject matter and suitability. If a film is described as a Western, for example, the audience
should expect to see cowboys on horseback in the American West during the 19th century.
There are also certain stock characters and dramatic situations associated with a specific
category, such as a sheriff, a villain and a saloon bartender in a Western.
Categorizing films by genre is not always an easy task, since a dramatic film may have its
share of comedic moments or a comedy may take a more dramatic turn. Some film experts
will create new genres or subgenres to describe these hybrid films, such as action
comedies or dramedies. In general, however, most films made in a specific genre, such
as film noir or crime drama, follow the established structure and plot lines of that genre. A
few movies may challenge the rigidity of their own genres, however, such as Clint
Eastwood's deconstructed Western Unforgiven, which pointedly avoided many of the cliches
associated with the Western film genre.
Film genres are similar to musical genres or literary genres in many ways. A filmmaker often
understands what elements are expected in a specific film genre and steer the film towards
that end. Certain actors are generally associated with a specific type of category, as well as
scriptwriters and directors. The late director John Ford, for example, worked almost entirely
in the Western film genre. Actor Hugh Grant is perhaps best known for his work in the
romantic comedy genre. Producer Jerry Bruckheimer specializes in the action film genre.

5. TYPES OF FILM GENRE

6. ACTION
Action film is a genre wherein physical action takes precedence in the storytelling. The film
will often have continuous motion and action including physical stunts, chases, fights,
battles, and races. The story usually revolves around a hero that has a goal, but is facing
incredible odds to obtain it.

7. ADVENTURE
Comedy is a genre of film that uses humor as a driving force. The aim of a comedy film is to
illicit laughter from the audience through entertaining stories and characters. Although the
comedy film may take on some serious material, most have a happy ending. Comedy film
has the tendency to become a hybrid sub-genre because humor can be incorporated into
many other genres. Comedies are more likely than other films to fall back on the success and
popularity of an individual star.

8. COMEDY
Comedy is a genre of film that uses humor as a driving force. The aim of a comedy film is
to illicit laughter from the audience through entertaining stories and characters. Although
the comedy film may take on some serious material, most have a happy ending. Comedy
film has the tendency to become a hybrid sub-genre because humor can be incorporated
into many other genres. Comedies are more likely than other films to fall back on the
success and popularity of an individual star.

9. Fantasy
Fantasy
film is a genre that incorporates imaginative and fantastic themes. These
themes usually involve magic, supernatural events, or fantasy worlds. Although it is its own
distinct genre, these films can overlap into the horror and science fiction genres. Unlike
science fiction, a fantasy film does not need to be rooted in fact. This element allows the
audience to be transported into a new and unique world. Often, these films center on an
ordinary hero in an extraordinary situation.

10. HORROR
Horror film is a genre that aims to create a sense of fear, panic, alarm, and dread for the
audience. These films are often unsettling and rely on scaring the audience through a
portrayal of their worst fears and nightmares. Horror films usually center on the arrival of an
evil force, person, or event. Many Horror films include mythical creatures such as ghosts,
vampires, and zombies. Traditionally, Horror films incorporate a large amount of violence
and gore into the plot. Though it has its own style, Horror film often overlaps into Fantasy,
Thriller, and Science-Fiction genres.

11. ROMANCE
Romance film can be defined as a genre wherein the plot revolves around the love
between two protagonists. This genre usually has a theme that explores an issue within love,
including but not limited to: love at first sight, forbidden love, love triangles, and sacrificial
love. The tone of Romance film can vary greatly. Whether the end is happy or tragic,
Romance film aims to evoke strong emotions in the audience.

12. ROMANCE FILM EXAMPLES
The Notebook
An old man who visits an elderly invalid woman, reads a love story to her that centers around
two lovers torn apart by life events.
:KI

13. The Vow
The Vow: A car accident puts Paige (McAdams) in a coma, and when she wakes up with severe
memory loss, her husband Leo (Tatum) works to win her heart again.

14. Romance Sub-genres:
Romantic Drama
Romantic Drama film is a genre that explores the complex side of love. The plot usually
centers around an obstacle that is preventing love between two people. The obstacles in
Romantic Drama film can range from a family's disapproval, to forbidden love, to one's own
psychological restraints. Many Romantic Dramas end with the lovers separating because of
the enormity of the obstacle, the realization of incompatibility, or simply because of fate.
Examples: Titanic, Breakfast at Tiffany's, An Officer and a Gentleman.

15. Romantic-Comedy
Romantic-Comedy is a genre that attempts to catch the viewer’s heart with the combination
of love and humor. This sub-genre is light-hearted and usually places the two protagonists in
humorous situation. Romantic-Comedy film revolves around a romantic ideal, such as true
love. In the end the ideal triumphs over the situation or obstacle.
Examples: Roman Holiday, When Harry Met Sally, Knocked Up.

16. What type of lighting is used in Romance movies?
Though in its very earliest days film lighting served merely to make the actors visible
onscreen, film lighting is generally used to add emotional value to a scene, building romance
and intrigue.
Colour
Colored lighting has an emotional impact on the audience -- warm colors are often
thought to be romantic, while cold colors evoke hostility. This is used significantly in
"Gone With the Wind," an early Technicolor film whose director determined that the
colors should have as much effect as the characters.
Brightness
The brightness of the lighting also sets the emotional value of the scene. Bright scenes are
often
cheerful, while lower light is more dramatic. In "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind,“
alternating bright and dark lighting between scenes gives the film a sad, romantic tone.
Quality
The degree to which the lighting is hard or soft is referred to as quality. Hard light with dark
shadows is more raw feeling, while diffused soft light feels more sentimental. Soft lighting is
often used in romantic scenes, particularly in older films, such as "Casablanca."

17. Titles and credits in Romance movies
In most romance film openings, titles and credits are shown in various ways. In the film Dear
John, some of the credits and titles are on a screen of their own. They com up on a blank blue
background with white writing, with the two colours perfectly contrasting, still images/close up’s
etc were not needed in conjunction with the writing. The writing showing the titles and credits
fade in and out, a transition which is very stereo typical of a romance as it gives the shots or title
screens a dreamy effect. After these title and credit pages are shown , the film opening’s action
begins showing John himself in the war. For a while, whilst this character is speaking, no titles or
credits are shown until he finishes he’s speech with ‘you’ and then another important credit’s
page is shown telling you who made the film. ( Lasse Halstrom ). As the film opening
progresses, Channing Tatum and Amanda Sefried’s names are both shown. Being the two main
characters within the film, the audience can now interpret who is involved because they have
seen that these two actors have both been given a screen to themselves with the credits
showing importance.

18. Setting in Romance movies
In most romances, there are stereo typical places that they are set. They are normally set in an
urban environment, a beach, a school etc, places where a chance encounter would happen.
When a romance film opens, it is likely that much of the setting will be shown to the audience
from the use of establishing shots and wide shots showing characters and much of the setting
and area behind them. Depending on where they are situated, this can sometimes help the
audience interpret what they think is going to happen in the film or where the action is going to
take place. For example, In Dear John, we can see that when the film begins, Still images,
panning cameras and long shots are shown to suggest to the audience that the places such as
the trenches and buildings in the war and the beach, could be the main setting’s used within the
film. A beach is quite a romantic place to go with a boyfriend or girlfriend and a war trench
could suggest loss etc so both of these settings help set the tone and mood of the film.

19. What type of
editing is used in Romance movies?
The editing pace for Romance film often varies, If one character is falling in love with the other
character then the editing pace is usually slow but then increases greatly to emphasize that
the other character can not control their feelings to the other, working in parallel to their
heartbeats.
What type of music is used in Romance movies?
The music used in Romance films tends to build the atmosphere with the audience and the
music is most often soft pop music. Soft, classic music is generally used when the characters
actually meet and fall in love. If a break-up occurs then the music tends to start out soft but
increases in dynamics to emphasize their break-up and build anxiety among the audience

20. What type of sound effects are used in Romance
movies?
Sound effects used in romantic films are very limited as generally non-diegetic music is used.
If the film is a comedy-romance then sound effects are more likely to occur but in just a
romance film, sound effects are more likely to be used to show success or problems in their
relationships.

21. Made by:
Sumbul Khan
AS-F