Reading Film Genres

 Film Genres

A film genre is a general categorization of films, based on similarities in approach. These similarities could be based on the narrative and plot, theme, mood and tone, aesthetic, or emotional response of the film. 

There are certain main genres, and some sub genres as well. These include action, comedy, fantasy, horror, drama, mystery, romance, and thriller.

Genres can be read and predicted (and established) through using conventions in camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene.

For example, if the genre is thriller, or horror, there are some conventional methods to convey it. Such as fast paced editing, camera tracking in to build enigma, color grading that is dark and creates a sense of fear or mystery, sounds such as creepy background music or sound effects such as jump scares. The mise-en-scene is usually darker settings with flickering or low lighting. 

An action movie would consist of lots of fast pace editing and rapid cuts and cut away, camera movements would be fast and whip pan is most commonly seen in action films. The camera has very diverse shot sizes, angles, and movements that capture actions in an action movie to make them more and more fascinating and captivating to the audience. The sound consists of a lot of sound effects that exaggerate and create more dramatic sounds for actions. The mise en scene is conventionally establishing a semi-realistic diagesis that is believable yet entertaining, and the lighting also range from low lighting and exposure to high lighting and exposure.

Romance, drama and comedy movies conventionally have a brighter, jollier color grading. The pace of editing in these are usually slow. In drama, there are often whip pans to create a dramatic exchange between the characters. In romance movies, soft focus is sometimes used to create a sense of a 'haze' that the characters are in, and closeup shot reverse shots of characters, and over the shoulder shots of the characters are shown, which connote a connection between the characters.