Horror
Initially, I will research the genre of Horror. Conventions that audiences would expect to see are as follows:
- A central or a group of central protagonists who are usually vulnerable - this tends to be accented by an atmosphere of isolation; which can be in terms of setting or emotionally.
- A central or a group of central protagonists who are usually vulnerable - this tends to be accented by an atmosphere of isolation; which can be in terms of setting or emotionally.
- Usually features themes of the supernatural, illness and death.
- Often all protagonists are killed and there is no explanation as to who/what/why?
- There is on almost all occasions a key antagonist who is out to kill the protagonist - they are usually conveyed as a 'creature' or 'monster' who contrast greatly from the protagonist/s and are unlike anything in society.
- There is on almost all occasions a key antagonist who is out to kill the protagonist - they are usually conveyed as a 'creature' or 'monster' who contrast greatly from the protagonist/s and are unlike anything in society.
The video above illustrates the conventions of the supernatural, unexplainable as well as the sense of being helpless and isolated, though not necessarily in relation to their surroundings.
Iconography of the genre of Horror that distinguishes it are blood (often very excessive), knives, weapons of torture, dead bodies, dismembered limbs.
Action-Adventure
Secondly, I will assess the genre of Action-Adventure. In an Action-Adventure the audience would expect to note the following generic conventions:
- One would expect the film to be action driven rather than traditionally by dialogue.
- A protagonist, the hero, who is search or looking to gain a prize; this could be in the form of relatives, a monetary reward or a love interest.
- A protagonist, the hero, who is search or looking to gain a prize; this could be in the form of relatives, a monetary reward or a love interest.
- The film would follow the struggles and efforts of the 'hero'.
- There would usually be a section of the film where there is 'the chase'.
- Usually there would be a section in the narrative (around the problematic or climax) where there is a sense that 'all hope is lost'.
- There would usually be a section of the film where there is 'the chase'.
- Usually there would be a section in the narrative (around the problematic or climax) where there is a sense that 'all hope is lost'.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J2fo5alMVI
As displayed in the trailer above, this Action-Adventure film is sold on its action sequence more so than dialogue. In this trailer 'the chase' is shown as well as the on going struggle of the 'hero' - in this case Indiana Jones.
As displayed in the trailer above, this Action-Adventure film is sold on its action sequence more so than dialogue. In this trailer 'the chase' is shown as well as the on going struggle of the 'hero' - in this case Indiana Jones.
War
In the genre of War there are a number of themes that are explored - courage, emotion, comradeship and loss. These come together to present a moral. The audience can expect the following the conventions in a war film:
- The film is expected, on the whole, to be action driven.
- To follow the struggles of one central protagonist and a group of several other secondary protagonist in their efforts to defeat the enemy, the antagonist.
- One by one, the secondary protagonists are killed - this is where the emotions and the dealing of loss is explored. The idea of comradeship allows the notion of war to be glorified and deemed less serious.
- To follow the struggles of one central protagonist and a group of several other secondary protagonist in their efforts to defeat the enemy, the antagonist.
- One by one, the secondary protagonists are killed - this is where the emotions and the dealing of loss is explored. The idea of comradeship allows the notion of war to be glorified and deemed less serious.
- Usually there will be a stage in the narrative where the audience is presented with a near death experience.
- Before the equilibrium is restored at the end (not necessarily with a victory) the audience is presented with a dilemna that explores the emotions of the protagonist.
In Saving Private Ryan, shown above, the narrative is clearly shown to be action driven. At one stage in the video emotion is expressed to convey the impact of war on the soldier. Again, as the convention states, at the beginning the audience is presented with a near death experience in the form of the D-Day landings.
Iconography of the War film genre are guns, fighter planes, soldiers, bodies, tanks, bullets - all of which are associated with the concept of war.
Sci-Fi
When watching a Sci-Fi film the audience would expect to see the following conventions:
- An alien race fighting against another dark, evil race who appears to dwarf the protagonists in power and size.
- There is usually a love plot concerning 2 members of the central protagonists.
- One would expect see the destruction of an entire race or planet.
- One of the main protagonists dies in the 'struggle'.
- A showdown between the antagonist and protagonist at the climax. When 'all hope is lost' the protagonist defies the odds to defeat the antagonist.
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, above, follows some of the key conventions, apart from the love story which develops in the next film. Evident in the trailer is the showdown between the protagonists and antagonist whereby one protagonist dies. Also clear is the two contrasting races/affilations that are at war with one another.
In terms of iconography the audience would expect to see space ships/craft, aliens, alien weaponary, space, planets and futuristic technologies.
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