Genre Research
We have found that the genre we have chosen is fairly ambiguous as we combine drama, and coming of age.
Sound
Colours
Drama Research:
- The purpose of a dramatic storyline is to move the audience emotionally.
- Drama films depend mostly on the development of realistic characters dealing with emotional issues.
- In most cases the film concentrates on normal character(s) that is dealing with a conflict or dilemma.
- Dramas often give actors a chance to stretch into a role that other genres wouldn’t allow them to do. This is because drama films focus on building up characters that the audience can engage with.
- Portrays a characters journey and developments
- Exhibits real life characters, situations, settings and stories.
- Intense social interaction
- Dramatic sounds and exaggerated performance.
- Crime drama generally follows a character(s) involved in criminal activity or law enforcement and the justice/legal system.
- Historical drama Films that focus on dramatic events in history particularly war films.
- Comedy drama A drama film that uses an equal, or nearly equal balance of humour and serious content.
- Melodrama a sub-type of drama films that uses plots that appeal to the heightened emotions of the audience. These films often put the character in danger to appeal to the emotions of the audience. Melodramatic plots often deal with "crises of human emotion, failed romance or friendship, strained familial situations, tragedy, illness, neuroses, or emotional and physical hardship." (often including a central female character) that would directly appeal to feminine audiences. Also called tearjerkers, or "chick flicks". If they are targeted to a male audience, they can be nicknamed "guy cry" films
- Romantic drama Drama film which dwells on the elements of romantic love.
- Period Piece These drama films focus on a specific time era. The era in which the film is set adds not only to the plot, but to the characters and costumes as well. A Period Piece films are often based on a novel. These films tend to have a longer run time than traditional Dramas.
- The Protagonist He/she is the generally the main character in the film. The audience feels sympathy towards this character that always triumphs over the villain. This character also has such as bravery, determination and a desire to overcome evil. This character is often put under trails so that these characteristics can be exposed to the audience. The protagonist us most commonly played by a male character put the use of female characters acting this role in films has increased in the past few years. The protagonist brings a certain presence when entering and leaving the scene and always attempts to solve the problems that occur. Examples:
- The Antagonist The antagonist goes to extreme length to get exactly what he/she wants this could include breaking the law, hurting someone or potentially killing someone. This character primarily looks out for themself and seems to posse little empathy towards any character. There is always a feud between the protagonist and antagonist which makes the antagonist determined to ruin the life of the protagonist. Examples:
- The helper/best friend: this character displays the characteristics of loyalty and trust. The helper always manages to be there for the protagonist and usually aids them throughout the whole film. This character often has moral codes which might have to be broken in order to help the protagonist achieve victory over the antagonist. The helper acts as a best friend to the protagonist and try’s to help as much as possible. If this character is a female and the protagonist is a male then it’s likely they will fall in love by the end of the movie.
Coming Of Age:
- This is the growth and development of a protagonist from youth to adulthood
- In film, coming of age is a genre of teen films.
- Coming-of-age films focus on the psychological and moral growth or transition of a protagonist from youth to adulthood.
- Personal growth and change is an important characteristic of this genre, which relies on dialogue and emotional responses, rather than action.
- The main character is typically male, around mid-teen and the story is often told in the form of a flashback.
- In literature there is a form of coming of age stories called - Bildungsroman - that focuses onthe psychological and moral growth of the protagonist from youth to adulthood (coming of age),in which character change is extremely important
- Within coming of age films it is stereotypical for them to include the latest digital technology, such as laptops and MP3’s.
- Many coming of age films include mobile phones and some have entire scenes in which characters will be talking on their mobile technology.
- Also typical iconography in coming of age films is cars, as many teenagers grow up and learn to drive, many include their reckless and crazy driving skills. I
- n high school centred films it is generic for a geeky character to be carrying folders and books around too.
- Alcohol is also typical iconography used in this genre.
- Generic characters of coming of age films include, teenage girls & boys, strict parents and teachers that can be controlling over the teenagers life.
- Within school centred coming of age films, there are stereotypical characters of nerds, cheerleaders, jocks (usually the bully of the film), the outsider, the ‘new girl’ and the wannabe, that follows what everybody else is doing and is desperate to be popular.
- Characters may typically be in their set cliques, for example in mean girls there is ‘The plastics’ a clique that contains the main characters of the film.
- A love interest character is typically inflicted in the film some way and creates problems and sparks up a range of emotions for the main protagonist
- A very popular setting within coming of age films is high schools.
- Teenagers spend most of their time at school and they are a key character in the coming of age genre so the high school location is expected.
- Another key setting is the teenager’s bedroom, this is another stereotypical place where teens spend most of their time.
- Some more examples of generic locations are: Prom, in transportation such as cars, a family home, cafes, football games and shopping centres. ‘Struck by lightning’ – mostly set in typical, American high school. ‘Perks of being a wallflower’ Car scene.
- A classic example of theme used in coming of age films is young love.
- Many coming of age films include a main protagonist and a love interest, and the main theme will be their love story.
- Another typical theme would be parties, alcohol and drugs, parties are usually the place where things go wrong in the film and something has to be resolved.
- Teen issues are a generic theme too, such as mental disorders, hormonal issues, sexuality and exams. Furthermore these teen issues are typically the main narrative of the film and provide complications within the story.
- ‘GBF’ Coming of age film – Main narrative is sexuality
Sound
- The soundtrack to a coming of age film is generically an indie/pop soundtrack that is catchy and will get stuck in your head.
- Within this film genre there are many films that include non-digetic voiceovers from the main protagonist, for example Clueless.
- School bells and sounds , such as talking within hallways and school announcements can also be stereotypical sounds heard within coming of age films. Pop music is usually played in these film genres too.
- Detention scene in the film ‘The Breakfast Club’
Colours
- The colours of a coming of age film, are normally bright, bold and interesting.
- They can be the complete opposite to a horror film in which the colours are very dark and dull. It is usually daytime so coming of age films seem light-hearted and mostly cheerful.
- ‘Freaky Friday’ is a bright, typical coming of age film.
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