Teaser posters & theatrical posters

Analysing Genre Part 2

Chosen Genre

Sports is a sub-genre in the media world. They can be equally as effective being fictional and non-fictional, so long as the plot is realistic and justified. They also tend to have elements of drama and comedy within them, to flavour up the plot and keep the audience entertained as well – comedic scenes in sports films are used to build certain characters, make them more likeable and therefore easier to be interested in their story.

For example of this statement, there is the film called Cool Running’s. A film about 4 men who join together in order to become the first Jamaican Bobsleigh Champions. A film which had its obvious tragedy and moments of struggle. But there was moments of comedy to lighten up the mood (since the body of the film could not be based around a straight emotion – would become very boring and predictable if it was this way, frustrating the audience).

It had moments of comedy – for example there was a scene where all 4 members were in a dire situation. They needed funds in order to advance in their path to achieve their goal. So one of the members resorted into singing on the streets as an ‘effective’ method for gathering a lot of money. He was in fact paid $5 as the highest individual given amount – but it was given to him just to shut up. In the end, they were supposed to have gathered over $10,000…but the fund did not even reach over $500. This was humours, given the acting that was done in the scene.

It had moments of drama – while in the bar the character Junior is being antagonised by the other bobsleigh team, belittling him and taunting him straight to his face – no provocation whatsoever, just straight cruelty. Junior does not stand his ground, he is too innocent. So he is upset. So the tougher member of the team takes him to the bathroom, gives him a tough pep talk, showing character development, from softy to a hardy kind of man. They proceed to scrap with the group which is trying to bully them, taking actions that your modern kind of ‘man’s man’ would undertake. This shows a change from focusing solely on the hardships and sympathy intended for the group, a change-up of scenario that makes it more relatable to the audience. (They may have been in similar situations that is why it is a good idea to put a character in many different situations to further explore/show the behaviour of the characters in the production).

Although a sub-genre, sports, ever since motion pictures, sports has been a vital aspect in the survival of the filming industry. Most sports films were based on the most physically-demanding and popular sports of all – prime example? Boxing. In 1911 the first non-news sports film was created.

The Blind Side, the cars series, Karate kid and The Waterboy were all very successful and popular sports films to ever exist. These are all old films. Not to forget Dodge ball: The true underdog story as well as ‘Blades of Glory’ are honourable mentions in the sub-genre of sport.

Analysing Genre

Analysing Genre

Defines as: Kind, sort, class. It is useful because it creates order to sort mass information. It puts category into large texts. What decides is put in which genre is based on the common elements that they contain. This makes genres useful as well as convenient because it allows the audience to identify them specifically by their familiar and recognisable characteristics.

Hybridity and Sub-genres

Genres can also contain sub-genres. For example, disaster, chick flicks, courtroom dramas and fantasy are all sub-genre. Basically topics that are relevant but not big and broad enough to class as a full genre.

Examples of a film genre.

Film Genre	Purpose of Genre	Film examples
Drama	Purpose of this is to move the audience emotionally. Focuses on realistic characters and their overall development.	The Godfather.
Thriller	Revolves around anticipation and suspense. Keep the audience alert and at the edge of their seats at all times.	The Dark Knight Heat
Science Fiction	Written more with a social purpose rather than a goal. Perhaps to predict the future. To perhaps give more of a message towards the audience.	Star Wars Wonder Woman Guardians of the galaxy

Analysis of a watched trailer

Convention	Effect	Key Techniques
Quick-flashing scenes	Forces the readers mind to pay attention. The fast pace challenges the reader to keep up with the story.	Quick-cuts Rapid Transitions
A group of armed men walking out from a burning area.	The effect of looking ‘cool’, and arousing questions about the scenario, drawing viewers to the film.	Long-shots Medium Angle
Silhouette approaching a massive crowd slowly	Gives the idea that some intense characters and situations are involved in the story. Only a few seconds of the scene is shown to give an effect of suspense.	Medium close-up No lighting on the character, only light coming from outside. Dramatic effect.

Convention	Effect	Techniques
Deep voice commentating over the trailer	Conveys a message that the commentary is over something special – in this case a rising star. From trash to championship.	Voice over
Cheap(ish) clothing	Shows his working-class background, captivates the reader to see how he climbs up the ladder to fame	Mise-en-scene
Out in the streets, basic home, a meat locker	More showing of his working class background. This along with his talent is highly relatable and motivational towards a fairly wide audience.	(Location) – mise-en-scene

-Rocky (Movie)

Locations

Location

Location is very important in a film production due to the fact it is one of the main key features in making sense within the setting. Location compliments every other aspect in a filming. For example, if a character is scared, a location being in a dark forest would most help tell the story more, it would entice the audience. A location is very important because it can manipulate the audience’s thoughts towards the producer’s advantage. If used correctly, it can create a number of effects. From suspense to excitement.

Location Type	Effect	How
Extreme environment, volcano	Shock	Readers will become aware that the character is in potential danger, tragedy could easily strike
Lake and sunset	Relaxed	Shows that this is a moment to settle down for some potential character development. An ideal location to reveal a character’s true colours
House	Neutral	When the pace of the story is kind of stationary. Shows that things can go either way. The starting place of a journey, or just a break.
Darkness	Alert, enticement	Darkness is an ideal place for a horror scene. It keeps the reader on the edge of their seat and develop concern for the character in the scenario.

What location I may need to use to benefit my location:

Location Type	Realistic?	How it will benefit?
Plain grass field	Yes	A place of solitude and an appropriate place for hard physical work.
Gym	Yes	Shows a crucial part of the story. Shows that he character is training for something. Very relevant to the story
Shot of lit buildings at night	Yes	Adds a bit of deep meaning to the story.
Any outdoor place with rain	Yes	Shows the character’s dedication.

-Time is only a slight limiting factor for the outdoor and night scene. Rain is not exactly a controllable factor and there may be less time to shoot at later times. These locations are found anywhere as they do not matter. (as long as there are buildings and a straight path). They are close by my home and do not require permission.

·         Sports films are normally associated with a lot of elements from drama and comedy. For example, ‘Cool Running’s’ A movie about 4 men who aspire to become bobsleighing world-wide champions. It had a lot of elements of drama and comedy. For example, there was a fundraising scene where members had to gather funds in order to support their championship conquest. Although a crucial and staggering moment, there was scenes of humour as one of the members resorted into singing on the streets as an ‘effective’ method.  In the end he was being paid a decent amount to just shut up. The drama aspect 




Locations in terms of my genre: 

In order to set the foundation of attracting a sporting audience, the key is to get the location rigtht. Where do sportsmen stereotypically train? Here are the answers:
-Athletics Track
-Indoor Sports Hall 
-Gym
-Fields & Hills 
Typically. 

Why? Without all of these places, it will be hardly believable that my character even does sports at all, because they are easy access to anybody wealthy or not, and epseically to the younger audience, who typically are not working yet, and who go to school who have these facilities anyway. This draws a target audience, and they will find these locations very familiar. These locations are effective because this is where most of the mental and physical battles will take place in a sports film. So when the audience see these locations, they are immediately alerted that a make-or-break moment may be about to take place.

Synergy

Synergy refers to when the interactions between two organisations team together to produce an effect for a media in which they could not have achieved on their own. For example, when media is promoted across other platforms.

Great results are expected to come from synergy, such as organisations getting more work done together than when they were apart. All in all, synergy means the working together between two organisations. Across the age of media, synergy is very critical and vital towards success.

Synergy can be positive or negative depending on what happens. In a positive sense, it can be referred to as a "2+2=5" effect. This means the effects of working together more than just doubles the output.

Synergy is supported through the media nowadays, such as downloading methods, dvd and the web. Working examples include Shaun of The Dead working alongside Universal studios.