Embedded Files
Research into genres that I am keen to create in my upcoming film project; Sci-Fi, action, comedy and their subgenres. I have looked into what the genres include in their storyline, popular films that follow the genre and conducted audience and market research about the films. From what I have learnt, I have a clear understanding of the techniques I can use to suit my chosen genre, the audience that I will need to target and reach out to, marketing strategies and how to effectively make the film fitting for the genre. Analysing films that follow the genres that I am interested in creating for my FMP, has shown me examples of unique and exciting storylines so I have a better understanding on how to write a film that is engaging for the audience. Watching clips from films has influenced me to use elements used in those films in my own project. For example, the black and white opening scene in James Bond: Casino Royale.
Biopic
Biopic
It is easier to relate to a movie that is based on real life events because the familiarity leads to a stronger emotional connection between the audience and the characters. A film that is based on or inspired by real life adds a dramatic weight, it fascinates and intrigues the viewers. Biopic films centres around the life of a non-fictional individual or just one specific moment in their history. It requires actors to behave like the real life individual, which is impressive if they act like the individual, hence why biopic films get the attention of awards and the public. Music biopics gain mass popularity, for example Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) won four Oscars, because it allows you to gain an insight into how they rose to fame and the conflicts that they faced.
Audience
Audience
The audience of the biopic genre is pretty much a balance between men and women, as shown by the moviegoers of Bohemian Rhapsody, 50% men and 50% women, and Greatest Showman, 56% women and 44% men. The average age of those that went to see Bohemian Rhapsody ranged from 36-44 years old, this may be because majority of Queen fans are of the older generation and it would take them back to the 70s/80s, when Queen had a major breakthrough in music. For the Greatest Showman audience, the average age ranged from 38-41 years old, the reason for this might be because they accompanied their children to the cinema, the film became very popular amongst the younger generation.
Market
Market
For marketing strategies, to target their specific audience, Rami Malek, starring as Freddie in Bohemian Rhapsody, appeared on Jimmy Kimmel. The audience ranges from 18-49 years old so this would fit in with the age of the target audience. A first look at Rami Malek as Freddie Mercury appeared in ‘Entertainment Weekly’, an American entertainment magazine, which also targets 18-49-year olds.
Bohemian Rhapsody made an estimate of $900 million in worldwide box office. After becoming one of the top 100 highest-grossing movies of all time, it won four Oscars, two BAFTA awards, along with 42 other awards and 80 nominations all in total. According to Billboard, Queen’s music went from 588 million to 1.9 million streams and album sales rose by 483%.
The film competitors of Bohemian Rhapsody were other music biopics like Straight Outta Compton, which Bohemian Rhapsody dethroned to become one of the highest-grossing music biopics of all time. Straight Outta Compton is a biopic on the rap group N.W.A. The film made great success because of its ability to resonate with today’s society, by showcasing the harsh reality of institutionalised discrimination and hatred, and F. Gary Gray’s ability to show their rose to fame in the mid-80s and how they revolutionised hip hop culture.
Being able to capture the life of the individual(s) in such a moving and entertaining way, exploring the emotional aspects of their life that nobody else really sees and their huge influence on society is the reason both Straight Outta Compton and Bohemian Rhapsody were successful. The film tells their story by portraying both the triumphs and the falls (‘rise and fall’ trope) of their career, it gives the audience an insight into what life was really like for them and takes the audience back to the era when they were topping the charts.
Movie
Rocketman
Movie
Rocketman
A bibliography musical film based on the career and life of the musician Elton John. Reginald Dwight, Elton John's birthname, grows up in 1950s Britain, raised by his unaffectionate mother and a father that takes no interest in him. Reginald starts to take piano lessons and works his way up to become a student at the Royal Academy of Music. He adopts his stage name, Elton John, and starts to write his own music. He tries to find success with DJM Records, under management of Ray Williams, who introduces Elton to lyricist, Bernie Taupin. Elton gets approached by a music manager, John Reid, who has a negative influence on Elton. His troubles from his family life and the physical and emotional abuse from Reid, causes Elton to become addicted to drugs, alcohol, shopping and sex. Elton John's career rises to new heights and he adopts a flamboyant stage persona and becomes one of the most successful artists of the 1970s.
Creating an entertaining biopic film that tells the successes and downfalls of the main character is important so it humanises the subject and the audience are able to connect with them. It shows that their idols do not live the perfect life and they are not faultless, which makes it an interesting watch because the viewers can see what goes on behind the scenes, as well as reminiscing what it was like to witness their idol when they were at their peak.
Action
Action
Action typically involves life threatening situations, survival, combat, a protagonist and an antagonist, a build up for tension, fast paced scenes, characters are forced to take risks and it’s thrilling. Following a ‘Hero’s Journey’ and ‘Good vs Evil are key action tropes. For example, Spiderman follows a hero’s journey; you see Spiderman at times where he is in despair, solving problems and when he is at his greatest. Usually action films have a protagonist and an antagonist. The antagonist, villain, has a role to stop the protagonist, hero, and harm the victim. The hero’s objective is to stop the villain and save the victim. The protagonist can also play the role of the hero but turn out to be the villain all along. The villain appears to be more powerful than the hero, which creates tension for the audience and the hero will need to solve problems, make changes and make sacrifices in order to stop the villain. If the hero fails to stop the villain, this can result in the death of an individual. When the hero finally stops the villain, a victim is saved.
Audience
Audience
The audience of the action genre typically targets young male adults, aged 17 and over. Deadpool had an audience of 14 years old and over, average age was about 35 years old. It was male-skewed, with a proportion of 62% men and 38% women. Action appeals more to males because of the amount of graphic violence, majority of male characters and the intensity.
Market
Market
To target the audience of Deadpool, it got a Valentine’s Day release date in most countries so the marketing team created posters that the film was romantic, failing to mention that it was full of violence. The marketing move started a viral trend of boyfriends getting their girlfriends to go see a “romantic” film with them. It is a great strategy to create publicity and it suits Deadpool because of its comedic factor. Ryan Reynolds, plays Deadpool, staged an online beef with Hugh Jackman to spark drama; publicity stunts are a great marketing strategy to get people talking about the movie and to make the film go viral.
Deadpool is one of the most successful R-rated movies ever released, with a revenue of $746 million at the box office. Deadpool won two Critics Choice awards, two MTV movie awards, along with winning 24 other awards and 78 nominations overall.
Film competitors of Deadpool would be other Marvel films because in order to spark huge publicity, the film would need to be better than other Marvel films that have been recently released, otherwise people are likely to overlook Deadpool. Just like Deadpool, X-Men: Apocalypse was released in 2016 and it is in the 20th Century Fox superhero universe. It earned $533 million worldwide, which is lower than Deadpool and many favourited Deadpool over the film, hence why it was not as successful. To 20th Century Fox’s surprise, it was a bigger hit than expected and had a lower budget than Apocalypse. Deadpool 2 was also released so this film would need to compete with the original Deadpool film in order to top it and become more successful. The reason Deadpool is so successful was because he is unlike any other superhero. In comparison to other superheroes, he isn’t as serious, he takes on a more foolish persona, which adds comedy. Deadpool is an easily likeable character, he often breaks the fourth wall to interact with the audience, which makes them feel connected to the character.
Uniqueness is important in order to create a film like no other, it is an advantage amongst competitors to stand out and put your own stamp on the film. Not being afraid to experiment allows creativity to flourish, it can create something fresh and enjoyable. Quentin Tarantino has a distinctive style, which is what makes his movies so great and it sets him apart from other directors.
Movie
Movie
Baby Driver
A partially impaired getaway driver, Baby, finds himself involved in a series of heists to pay back a debt to a kingpin, Doc. When Baby thinks he is finally free and able to start a new life with his girlfriend, Deborah, Doc coerces him back to another job because he thinks Baby is his lucky charm. Baby must use his wit and skill to escape the criminal world. Baby Driver has a great soundtrack, likeable characters, action-packed scenes and is incomplete without Edgar Wright’s comedic style.
For an action movie, it would the ultimate goal to achieve such intense and exciting action that Baby Driver has to offer. When creating action sequence, I will use similar techniques that Edgar Wright uses; variation of shots, quick cuts, action synchronised to music, perfectly timed sound effects and a great soundtrack.
Comedy
Comedy
Comedy intends to incite laughter, amusement and usually has a positive ending. Timing is important in comedy to deliver a joke and make it well received by the audience. Silence in between lines is often used to build anticipation, create awkwardness and the pause enhances the joke. A detailed character will help the audience connect to them, they will seem funnier if they are unique and complex characters. It is important to get personal in the storyline, use something embarrassing you remember doing or a memory that is movie worthy, this can relate the audience to the film if they’ve experienced something similar. Jokes that are unexpected are a lot more humorous than the audience easily guessing what the character will say next, it’s more effective to get the audience laughing. Jokes that are overused are easy to expect so it is important to be original in comedy. Characters that are dumb is easy comedy, they come up with random, absurd and unexpected jokes.
Audience
Audience
Comedy tends to target 15-24-year olds and more towards the male audience. Hot Fuzz targets this specific audience because of its predominantly male cast and use of violence. It is set in the English countryside so its primary target is the British public, which is accomplished through humour, the characters, locations and references.
Market
Market
To entice the audience to watch the film, a trailer for Hot Fuzz was released, which is visually engaging and utilises comedy through camera movements and action. In Hot Fuzz there are lots of “Easter eggs” for the fans to discover and figure out, and understand their symbolism. There are references to Shaun of the Dead to target those that were fans of Edgar Wright’s previous movie, it is also a part of the ‘Three Flavours Cornetto Trilogy.’ Edgar Wright and Nick Frost held a panel at Comic-Con convention in San Diego, California for promotion, which would create awareness of Hot Fuzz and target comic fans because the film includes comical elements.
The film earnt $80.7 million at the box office, it was praised by critics and Empire rated it 50th out of 100 in their list of best British films. Hot Fuzz won an Empire award and National Movie award, and it had 9 nominations overall.
For film competitors, it would be the previous film in ‘Three Cornetto Flavours Trilogy’, Shaun of the Dead, if Hot Fuzz is a whole lot worse than Shaun of the Dead, it would receive a lot of negative critics, resulting in minimal recognition and may make people uninterested to watch the next film in the trilogy. Other competitors would be other cop films like The Other Guys. They share similarities like the buddy cop theme and they fit into the action-comedy genre. The Other Guys earned $170.9 million at box office and was praised by a critic as “a highly entertaining movie filled with witty dialogue and over-the-top action.” It won an ASCAP award, an Awards Circuit Community award, along with another award and 15 nominations overall.
To make a movie exciting and memorable, the use of quotable dialogue like “Nobody tells me nothin’,” stated in Hot Fuzz, is an effective way to popularise the movie and remind people of it. Every time you use an iconic quote, it makes you think of the movie that it’s from. Well-executed cinematography is memorable if it displays a message, engages the audience, conveys the characters’ emotions and enhances the story; Edgar Wright makes use of comedy through the way the camera moves and cuts. The variety of action sequences he uses show specific details in the scene, creates a rush of adrenaline and engages the audience, which makes the scene hard to forget. Ben Mankiewicz, writer and producer, states an iconic movie “must have some emotional resonance that lasts beyond the immediate viewing of the movie and the movie has to have some sort of cinematic importance.” The ending of a film is important to leave a last impression on the audience and to make the film stay on their mind. A good ending should make the audience long for more and excite them so they play the parts of the film they enjoyed most in their head. Finality should provide context to the story and meaning to the journey.
Movie
Movie
Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 1.
After stealing a mysterious orb from outer space, Peter Quill from Earth is now the main target of a manhunt led by the villain known as Ronan the Accuser. To help fight Ronan to save the galaxy from his threatening powers and his evil masterplan, Quill creates a team of space heroes known as the "Guardians of the Galaxy". They all start out as convicted criminals and become heroes in order to stop Ronan from destroying a vast number of galaxies. A key theme in this film is a hero’s journey and a family like relationship. A dark blue filter is used to add a dramatic effect when the shot is focused on Ronan and in the action shots. An orange filter is used when the Guardians are successful in stopping Ronan. Characters – Groot is used for comedic purposes and his gentle nature makes the audience connect with him, Star lord’s mother dies from cancer when he was young, which creates sympathy for him. When trying to stop Ronan, Star Lord breaks into dance to distract him. The movie has one of the best soundtracks. It’s a feel-good movie.
I am keen to use a dance scene in the project, I think it would be good to include it in the credits to create a memorable ending and to make the audience actually want to watch the credits. A great soundtrack will make people want to watch the movie and will be an enjoyable experience for the audience.
Sci-Fi
Sci-Fi
Science Fiction Films are scientific, visionary, comic-strip-like, and imaginative, and usually visualized through fanciful, imaginative settings, expert film production design, advanced technology gadgets, scientific developments and special effects. Sci-Fi films are complete with heroes, far away planets / galaxies, impossible quests, impressive settings, villains, futuristic technology and unknown forces. Twists modern day technologies to make the audience connect to the Sci-Fi world. Slowly immerses the audience within the Sci-Fi world with one element at a time and builds mystery around these elements so the audience will want to see more. In Sci-Fi films it’s important to emphasize the story, plot, and characters. For example, the heroes’ internal conflict can be shaped by family relationships, fears or fatal flaws. The conflict creates empathy towards the character, making the character seem genuine and realistic. Villains tend to have internal / external motivations for their acts and they always have a motive.
Audience
Audience
Sci-Fi films offer audiences a chance to escape from their everyday lives. They offer us a chance to dream, hope, and imagine the future. Therefore, it targets those that are fascinated by technology, enjoy futuristic stories and want an escape from reality. Sci-Fi typically targets males aged between 18-29 years old because of the predominantly male cast and action sequences.
Market
Market
Christopher Nolan’s Inception was the subject of much secrecy during production. Information was gradually fed to the public with the film’s website being a clip of a spinning top. After months of this, the top eventually fell over, which gave users access to a series of games and puzzles, and when completed, it would show them the film’s trailer.
Inception earnt $836,848,102 at the box office worldwide. Inception won an Oscar for cinematography, sound mixing, sound editing, visual effects, screenplay, art direction, music writing and best motion picture of the year. The film won a BAFTA award for production design, sound and special visual effects. All in total, Inception won 158 awards and had 220 nominations. Inception is considered one of the best films of the 2010s.
A film competitor of Inception would be Shutter Island. Both films were released in 2010, they follow a similar theme of mind-bending twists and thrills. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in both films, in terms of DiCaprio’s performance, Shutter Island features a much stronger lead performance and his acting as an intense emotional impact on the audience. Inception’s storyline is more ambitious and has many layers to the story, it may seem overwhelming for some viewers, the ending is not that clear, whereas Shutter Island’s ending is easier to grasp. Inception feels like a bigger film, it has more to offer and explores the storyline in more depth. Shutter Island earnt less at box office, $294,805,697, but it did have a smaller budget than Inception.
To immerse an audience the film needs to explore its world so they can experience it and all the important details, not just stay in one room. For instance, Inception has many layers and presents a wide of locations to explore, which is one of the reasons that the feel is so immersive and exciting for the audience. As well as setting, the audience need to feel connected to the characters and feel like they know them, giving a backstory of a character will describe important details about their personal life that isn't perceived on the surface. Sound effects can be used to provide cues to key points in the story, signalling for the audience to have their complete attention on the film. Sound can be used to create realism in an environment to immerse them in the world. For example, in a nature environment, there could be sounds of bird tweets and a rush of wind, complimented with a soothing soundtrack to make the audience feel at peace.
Movie
Movie
Blade Runner 2047
Thirty years after the events of Blade Runner (1982), an L.A.P.D officer unearths a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what's left of society into chaos, which leads him on a quest to find Rick Deckard, a former L.A.P.D officer. Blade Runner 2047 looks visually impressive, with one of the best cinematographers in the industry today on board. The use of artificial, colourful lighting is crucial for a dystopian world, where the primary source of light is no longer the sun, everything is manmade. The film heavily uses fog and mist for an atmospheric effect, where humans have destroyed Earth’s habitat. It adds mystery, and creates a claustrophobic and disorientated feeling.
If I were to create a Sci-fi film, Blade Runner 2047 would be a key influence for the visual side of the film to create a dystopian-techno world through the use of LED lighting, geometric buildings, atmospheric elements and settings.
Subgenres
Subgenres
spy
spy
Common subgenre of action, comedy and Sci-Fi
Spy films follow the theme of fictional espionage, it shows the activities of government agents and their conflict with their enemies. It offers an escapism, thrills and combine the action and sci-fi genre. Spy films often follow the theme of corruption, destruction, apocalypse and unlawful activities. There are four main building blocks in spy; protagonist – drives most of the action in the film, antagonist – primary obstacle for the protagonist, mentor – helps and trains the protagonist, prize – what the protagonist wants to achieve. The main storylines in spy is the protagonist being sent on a mission, the protagonist investigating a disaster, the protagonist finding the antagonist who is on the run and the protagonist defending someone or something that the antagonist is out to get.
Movie
Movie
James Bond: Casino Royale
After earning 00 status and a licence to kill, secret agent James Bond sets out on his first mission as 007. Bond must defeat a private banker funding terrorist in a high-stakes game of poker at Casino Royale, Montenegro. The film is full of action and is an entertaining watch, for example, when James Bond stops the terrorist and takes the bomb away from the aeroplane. In the opening scene, it is shot in black and white, which follows the genre of noir with high contrast, an office setting, close up shots and moody tone.
If I were to shoot a spy film, I am keen to use a black and white opening scene for an intense opening, action sequence and to show acknowledgement to old espionage films. I really liked this opening scene in Casino Royale and it was a grand introduction to Daniel Craig's first appearance as James Bond.
Western
Western
Common subgenre of action and comedy.
Western is set in the American West, usually in the period from the 1850s to 19th Century. It is often depicted in a hostile, sparsely populated area that is lawlessness, patrolled by outlaws, sheriffs and other gunfighter characters. Western follows themes of justice, freedom, crime and the history of the United States. Character include cowboys, townspeople, Native Americans, bounty hunters, outlaws, gamblers, traders, lawmen, soldiers and bartenders. Western films are typically shot in the wilderness, desolate and vast landscapes, ranches and wild west towns.
Movie
Movie
Django Unchained
Set in 1858, a bounty hunter, Dr King Schultz, buys a slave named Django to be his deputy during tasks of bounty hunting, in return Schultz says that he will help find Django’s lost wife, Broomhilda. They find his wife at a plantation in Mississippi, owned by Calvin Candie, Django and Schultz plan a scheme to rescue Broomhilda. Django Unchained is action-packed, keeps you on edge and has Tarantino’s signature style of gore and graphic violence. The characters are well-developed and have a unique story. The film takes on an original storyline in comparison to other western films.
If I make a western, I would also like to create an original storyline like Tarantino does with Django Unchained. Most western films follow follow a cowboy as the main protagonist, which you don’t get much backstory for or much reason behind their murders. Westerns that follow cowboys that go around shooting people doesn’t excite or interest me, I need more motive behind their killings.
Noir
Noir
Common subgenre of action and crime.
Film noir is a cinematic term used to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classical film noir period is generally from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key, black and white visual style. Noir is suspenseful, dramatic and exciting. The style and moody tone used is aesthetically pleasing and artistic. There are not many films like Noir so it gives the audience a whole different feel and experience to modern films. The fashion, lighting, dark atmosphere and behaviour of the characters allows the audience to go back in time to the 40s/50s.
Movie
Movie
Sunset Boulevard
In Hollywood of the 50's, the screenplay writer, Joe Gillis, is not able to sell his work to the studios, he is deep in debt and is thinking of returning to his hometown, to work in an office. While trying to escape from his creditors, his car has a flat tire and so he parks his car on a mansion driveway in Sunset Boulevard. He meets the owner, a former movie star Norma Desmond, who lives alone with her butler and driver Max Von Mayerling. Norma is demented and believes she will return to the film industry. She is protected and isolated from the world by Max, who was her director and husband in the past and still loves her. Norma offers Joe to move into the mansion and help her in writing a screenplay for her comeback to the film industry. When Joe falls in love with the young writer Betty Schaefer, Norma becomes jealous and goes completely insane and her madness leads to a tragic end. Low key lighting is used to create dark shadows to set a moody atmosphere and dim lighting is used to show suffering.
I am thinking of perhaps doing a noir film to remaster my first ever college project. Now that I have developed my knowledge and skills with film, I will be able to produce a noir film to a higher standard.
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