A2 Genre Analysis, Romance.

1. Romance
Genre Analysis

2. What is Romance?
 Romance genre’s primarily focuses on the relationship and romantic love between
two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending."
 Romance films are romantic love stories recorded in visual media for broadcast in
theaters and on cinema that focus on passion, emotion, and the affectionate
romantic involvement of the main characters and the journey that their genuinely
strong, true and pure romantic love takes them through dating, courtship or
marriage.

3. Examples Of Romantic Movies
 Titanic
 Monte Carlo
 The Notebook
 Silver Linings Playbook
 The Fault In Our Stars
 Paper Towns
 The Other Woman
 The Longest Ride

4. Sub - Genres
 Historical Romance - A romantic story with a period setting.
 Romantic Drama - usually revolves around an obstacle which prevents deep and true
romantic love between two people.
 Chick flick - is a term often associated with romance films as many are targeted to a
female audience. Although many romance films may be targeted at women, this is not a
defining characteristic of a romance film and a chick flick does not necessarily have a
romance as a central theme, revolve around the romantic involvement of characters or
even contain a romantic relationship.
 Romantic Comedies - are films with light-hearted, humorous plotlines, centered on
romantic ideals such as that true love is able to surmount most obstacles.
 Romantic Action Comedies - are films that blend romantic comedy and action.

5. Codes & Conventions
 Occasionally, romance lovers face obstacles such as finances, physical illness, various forms of
discrimination, psychological restraints or family that threaten to break their union of love.
 As in all quite strong, deep, and close romantic relationships, tensions of day-to-day life,
temptations (of infidelity), and differences in compatibility enter into the plots of romantic films.
 Romantic films serve as great escapes and fantasies for viewers, especially if the two people finally
overcome their difficulties, declare their love, and experience life "happily ever after", implied by a
reunion and final kiss.
 In romantic television series, the development of such romantic relationships may play out over
many episodes, and different characters may become intertwined in different romantic arcs.

6.  A typical boy meets girl scenario
 Often starts with a narration, explaining characters
 Normally set in an urban environment, centered around the work place, where a chance encounter would
happen.
 Two Protagonists – Male and Female
 Often stylized in a particular way , flowers, wedding, chocolates, objects in red colour connoting a
particular romantic theme or a storyline
 Usually centered around a female character, the film is usually from the female’s point of view
 Inevitability of the two ending up in a relationship following towards a happy ending.

7. Camera Angles Used
 Establishing Shot - This shot is used to set the scene and location of the story; where
everything will take place. Pretty Woman uses many establishing shots to set it's location
which is Beverly Hills, California. The opening shows the famous landmark Hollywood which
automatically tells the audience where this film's location is. In Romantic Comedies these
shots are usually shown from either the central characters point of view or are shown
neutrally from no ones point of view. In Pretty Woman they are shown neutrally from no
one's point of view.
 Mid Shot - This shot is typically used to introduce the character to a more personal
connection towards the audience so they get a better look at the protagonist. They can either
be used throughout the romantic comedy or at certain scene's. These shots work well in
showing body langauge; telling us how the chacrter fells without them having to speak.
 Close Up - The close up is typically used in Romantic Comedies to show the central characters
feelings and emotions. They are usually a good shot to make the audience feel empathy
towards the character.

8.  Over The Shoulder Shot - typically used to show that a conversation between two
characters is taking place. A shot like this also has the potential to establish a relationship
between two characters which could illustrate that it could be more as the film progresses.
 Two Shots - are used throughout romantic comedy’s for the purpose of showing how the
relationship develops throughout the film. A two shot is also used in order to show a
particular relationship between two characters
 Mid-Shot - these shots are used frequently in order to determine the characters body
language towards the other character to see whether they are shy around each other, care
for one another etc.
 Long Shot - With a long shot the audience is able to see the characters entire body along
with some of the scenery. Long shots can determine how much space the characters have
around them and how close the two main characters are to one another which can be a
good judgment for an audience on how much they like/dislike each other at that period in
the film.
 Extreme Long - this shot is typically used in order for the audience to see the scenery
where the characters are. The scenery will usually be of a famous landmark or town so the
audience can relate to the film. Shots like this will also allow the audience to get a sense of
the ambience and a feel of wha tthe characters may be feeling.

9. Sound
 Sound is very important within a romance to help set the tone mood and atmosphere.
 If the film is going to be quite sad, sometime the music will establish this by the use of an
instrumental such as a violin.
 Romances usually start with a guitar, piano or violin kind of instrument.
 All of these musical instruments can be used effectively through diegetic and non diegetic sound
editing.
 In a stereo typical romance opening, music in the background will be quite as the characters are
usually narrating and speaking during the first few minutes of the film.
 If the non-diegetic sound, being the music was up too loud then the audience wouldn’t be able to
hear what they were saying (the diegetic sound). The two have to be balanced out well for the film
opening to be effective.
 The music played in the background and the pitch and volume of that music will help set the mood
and also help the genre be identified.