Purpose of Genre
genre are simply a way to categorizing by similarities in characteristics. They good way to target specific and defined audience. Also, allow film or TV producers to secure finding for ideas based on previous success. They exist for audience pleasure and identification.
A sub genre is a subcategory within a particular larger genre, For example: crime-thriller as a sub genre while fall under the larger genre “thriller”
hybridity is when a film instead of focusing exclusively on one genre, it blends two or more recognizable genres together. (definition from www.shadowandmovie.com).
"Genres are instances of repetition and difference"--- Neale
Steve Neale states that all genres dominated by reputations but marked by differences, variations and changes. Difference is a vital elements in develop genre economy.
Repetition is the stereotypes and conventions which overlaps in most films under one genre, while difference is the approach to subvert the conventions & codes and make them differentiate from other films in same genre.
The reason why repetition exist is that the typical elements in genres keep attract targeted audience and the elements which are characterized help the film to maximize profit from the aiming audience. However, it can still be bored in some extent.
THRILLER AS A GENRE
Thrillers are characterized and defined by the moods they elicit, giving viewers heightened feelings of suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation and anxiety. (definition from www.wikipedia.com)
conventions of thriller film
CRIME-THRILLER
This is sub-genre falls under the bigger genre "thriller",synthesis of both thriller and crime genre. This kind of film often include an atmosphere of menace an sudden violence, there is usually a arise in tension. Under this genre, the plot often associate with murder mystery, but with a sense of suspense and keep audience at the “edge of the seat.” (reference from wikipedia)
Films associated with Crime-Thriller Genre:
1. parasite
2. seven
3. silent of the lamb
4. psycho
5. the godfather
6. red dragon
Example of Typical Crime-Thriller Analysis (The God father):
To delves into some conventions in crime-thriller film . I choose to analyze some shots in "the God father."
CINEMATOGRAPHY & MISE EN SCENE
In the opening of this film, A straight dolly-out camera movement change the shot gradually from close up to mid shot. The back of “the god father” was introduced at the first time with over the shoulder and a dirty single framing of Bonasera asking for help. This include perspective from both side and as Corleone has a higher status, the OTS shots made the back of Corleone occupying third of the camera to illustrate his significance, creates tension as he is not yet fully exposed on camera, this long take without editing also is a showcase of his power. Camera is at eye level create a instant connection between audience and characters. This help establishing the position of God father which is at top of this hierarchical society.
For mise en scene, there is low-key lighting which use commonly as a convention in thriller film to show this menace atmosphere. And the scene is set in a cramped meeting room, create contrast with the exterior wedding scene, which gives audience sense of discomfort and growing anxiety.
opening of "the god father ”
Moving on to the wedding scene and creates contrast with the under table transaction. jump cuts and cross cutting has been use between these 2 scenes which create a relatively fast rhythm of cuts as convention of thriller genre to make audience feel suspense and anxious. The wedding scene is constructed by several crowd shots under bright and highly saturated high-key lighting. When cuts to inside, The lighting turns to low-key and there is a obvious change in the sound level. This is often used as a repetition because contrast is shown. As from that, the dark is dark is even darker, and this is the theory of binary opposition. There is no single standout character portrayed specifically, this is to create a harmony on the surface. Whereas, the sudden flash to the godfather and different characters in 2 shots infers that underneath the seemingly bright surface , there are unseen businesses running.
There are several establishing shots before the horse head being found on the bed. This lulling and tranquil ambiance causes the dispersed moments of violence to feel increasingly terrifying. This sequence of shots use repetitively in thriller film.When those moments of violence arise, both the film and audience able to experience the sudden impactful shot.
In the scene of Woltz finding his prized horse’s severed head at the foot of his bed. This scene open with multiple cross dissolves over exterior shots of his home. This establishes an tranquil morning before the horror. In typical thriller movies, It is a calm before a storm use to foreshadow and make audience unaware of the potential dangers, shocking audience deliberately.In "The god father", It is a warning and a mortality signal. This shot movement is similar to the opening scene changes from full shot to mid shot by a slow dolly-in, this build tension as audience is curious to find out what’s happened and the long take of Woltz waking up treats a sickening feeling of audience are not able to escape.
Editing:
Montage as a popular editing technique is used to create thing happened at the same time with shot cuts, build sense of suspense and tension.The use of POV framing in "the god father" shows bimajor perspective, audience involved in the process of Michael being the new god father cross-matching those violence moment of massacre, allowing it to return to an equilibrium after moments of high tension.
parallel montage at the end of The god father, also being widely utilize in thriller movies.
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