2. Action
Action films usually include high energy, physical stunts and chases, with
rescues, battles, fights, escapes, destructive crises (floods, explosions, natural
disasters, fires, etc.), non-stop motion, fast music with speedy rhythm and
pacing, adventurous, often two-dimensional 'good-guy' heroes (or recently,
heroines) battling 'bad guys' - all designed for pure audience escapism.
Includes the James Bond 'fantasy' spy/espionage series, martial arts films, and
some superhero films.
The key features of some action films include loud sound effects like
explosions. They also include diegetic and non-diegetic sound such as the
sound of a car crashing or the sound of fast, tense music.
3. Horror
Horror films are designed to frighten and to invoke our hidden worst fears,
often in a terrifying, shocking finale, while captivating and entertaining us at
the same time in a cathartic experience. Horror films usually involve a lot of
blood and gore. Mainly based around murder or paranormal things like
ghosts. The key features of a horror film includes really close-up camera
shots; to intensify the scene and to give us an insight into the character’s fear.
Other features include non-diegetic and diegetic sound such as the sound of a
creaking door or a squeaky swing set, or the sounds of creepy music playing
in the background. Horror films can include low-angle shots too, for example
when there is a shadowy figure in the doorway; this suggests power and fear.
4. 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. Romance films would typically include a lot
of two-shots and mid-shots, showing the character’s relationship with one
another and the character’s relationship with each other. Romance films
usually include lots of happy, up-beat music.
5. 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 mainly has a few protagonists, it
may be three friends or just one person. Comedy films don’t usually have a
lot of music but if there is music it would be happy. They generally include
lots of different camera angles, some may even be distorted.
6. Thriller
Thriller Film is a genre that revolves around anticipation and suspense. The
aim for Thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats.
The protagonist in these films is set against a problem – an escape, a mission,
or a mystery. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film falls into, it will
emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main
problem is built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax.
Thriller films include lots of fast-paced tense music which would generally
start off slow and build up to something scary or something full of action.
Thriller films can include a lot of close ups and mid-shots to show the
intensity of the situation and to show the character’s relationship with their
surroundings.
