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.