Researching Genre Slide

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Researching Genre
Tom Smith

2.  Thrillers all tend to begin with close ups and
extreme close ups on significant objects.
Accompanying the visuals at this point is
usually some kind of ambient noise/sound that
creates the strange atmosphere in a thriller.
 During the opening titles/section to a thriller
there is often no dialogue from any characters
but a narration over the top. This of course is
non-diegetic and almost creates the strange
thriller theme/feeling as if someone is watching
or observing.
Thriller

3.  Action films more often than not open with action
music. This can be upbeat, often includes drums and is
fast paced. This sets the film off in a fast pace and
exciting manner which gets the viewers ready and
aware that it is an action-packed film. However they
can also open with suspense building music. Both of
these have a similar effect but from two different
angles.
 Most of the time action films either start with an event
or back story that provides the viewer with insight to
what the story may contain, however this does not
reveal too much information.
 The opening credits to action films also often include a
lot of tracking shots, regular tracking shots and side-
tracking shots.
Action

4.  Action Adventure films more often than not open with some kind
of song. The song is an indicator of what type of action-adventure
film it is. The storyline will often be reflected in the opening
song/music. For example the opening credits to iron man are
accompanied by the song ‘Back in Black’. This is a rock song which
indicates the film will contain quite a bit of action in maybe a more
obvious way. Skyfall however is accompanied by the song ‘Skyfall’
by Adele. This is a more relaxing and suspense building piece,
perhaps indicating that there will be action but not as much or as
obvious as something like Iron Man. Also the build up in ‘Skyfall’
could imply that there is a journey through the film with build ups
to a certain event.
 When it comes to camera angles they vary between different films
however more often than not in Action Adventure films landscape
shots and tracking shots are used a lot.
 Quite often there is also a narration over the top of the opening
credits, providing a bit of background to the film.
Action Adventure

5.  I have chosen to do my opening film credits in
the Thriller/Horror genre.
Genre Decision