What types of genre are there? - Rom-Com

Generic Conventions

Romantic Comedies are usually set in an urban setting such as a city and may be centred around the workplace, they follow a typical 'boy meets girl' scenario, they often include a voiceover which usually is present from the onset of the film and there are two protagonists - usually one male and one female.

Example: Love Actually

How does this film conform to or challenge the generic conventions of it's genre?

Love Actually is a fairly unique film as it does not follow the relationship of just one couple but several, because of this it is harder to identify the generic conventions of the genre in it. However, although the generic conventions are not all present in every relationship that is follower, it is easy to pick out elements of each relationship that conform to the generic conventions. These are:

Urban setting - As 'Love Actually' is set in London, all of the relationships take place here. Love Actually completely conforms to the idea of being set in an urban environment and because of this it is easy for people within different relationships to interact with each other in some way, making the film more attention grabbing.

Workplace - The relationships between both Harry and Annie and Sarah and Karl develop in the office. Both of the relationships are fairly dysfunctional and this gives the film more grit. The dysfunction exists especially in the relationship between Annie and Harry, in which Harry is cheating on his wife to be with her.

'Boy meets girl' - The strange relationship between John and Judy is sparked when they have an unusual encounter posing together as nude models.

Voiceover - Hugh Grant provides a voiceover from the outset of the film. His voice is used to introduce the theme of love which continues throughout the film. In using his voice as the narrator's it also introduces him as a character without showing who he is or what his story is.

Two protagonists - Love Actually is a fairly unique film as it does not follow the relationship of just one couple and therefore there is not just two protagonists as the story shifts from couple to couple so that each character has a turn to play the protagonist.

What types of genre are there? - Fantasy

Generic Conventions

As the genre of fantasy can be manipulated in so many different variations, it is difficult to say that there are generic codes and conventions that may be applied to it. i.e. Lord of the Rings has a totally different structure and concept to Harry Potter. However there are some general concepts that many fantasy films tend to follow, these are: emotive and romanticised narratives, hyper-real representations i.e. the creation of new species, aspirational characters - often undertaking a quest, political narrative themes (e.g. to do with minority groups), positive narrative outcomes, linear narrative, often set in the past or an imagined time and appeal to an audience due to the theme of escapism.

Example: The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

How does this film conform or challenge the generic conventions of it's genre?

Emotive and romanticised narratives - The narrator, Bilbo, tells Frodo of the good times in Erebor, before the dwarves had their homeland stolen from them. He uses engaging and expressive language to pain a rich tapestry in the imagination of Frodo, allowing him to picture exactly what he is being told.

Hyper-real representations - Images of dwarves and hobbits are shown. Neither of these species are real and have been created solely for the purpose of storytelling and stretching the imaginations of the film's viewers.

Aspirational characters - Bilbo goes on an adventure with Gandalf to find the Arkenstone from Smaug's lair and reclaim Erebor for the dwarves.

Political narrative - There is a strong message about belonging and how wrong it is to take what does not belong to you.

Positive narrative outcomes - The homeland is reclaimed and Bilbo is successful

Linear narrative - The narrative starts from the original encounter between Bilbo and Gandalf and finishes with the end of the quest, telling stories throughout of events which happen during the quest.

Setting- The world in which The Hobbit is set is purely fiction.

Escapism - The film allows it's viewers to enter a hyper-reality and engage themselves in what is happening as if they were there. They can escape from the everyday.

What types of genre are there? - Teen

Generic Conventions

Conventions of teen films can vary depending on the context of the film. i.e. in American teen films ethnic minorities and gay/lesbians are often left out. Usually teen films will include proms or school dances, alcohol and experimenting with substances, high school, parties, sex, social division, angst and conflict with parents and siblings and popular culture. The most widely used convention is social groups and they stereotypes that arise from them. The include: the jock/cheerleader, the popular (diva), geeks, misfits rebels and outcasts, the loner, the clown and the stoner. Apart from the characters there are many other codes and conventions of a teen film, especially romantic comedy teen films. They are often set around high-schools to allow for the inclusion of many social groups

Example: 10 things I hate about you

How does this film conform or challenge the generic conventions of its genre?

Social Cliques - The first car we see has four girls riding in it. Each of the girls seem to be dressed similarly and copying each other's dancing, which indicates that they wish to impress each other and be the same people. When the second car pulls up beside them, they look disgusted, this suggests that they are the popular group as they are not inclusive of the passenger in the second car and instead reject her. The passenger in the second car is by herself, suggesting that she has few friends and prefers her own company, which deems her the 'Loner' character. Immediately the audience are introduced to the divisions between social groups which sets the theme of the film out immediately.

Angst and conflict - The character who is by herself for the duration of her introduction appears angry and frustrated with her surrounding. She deliberately blares her music out of her car window to overpower the music of the popular group and rips down posters as she marches into school. These actions introduce her as a key character and show the audience what she is like and who/what she will be battling with throughout the film (popularity).

Popular culture -  One Week by Barenaked Ladies is playing from the popular girls' car, this song would have been popular at the time when the film is set (90's) this once again reflects the idea that the popular people are eager to conform to society's expectations of them. This is overpowered by the sound of Bad Reputation by Joan Jett coming from the car next to it. This reflects the different genre's of music that were popular at the time and the new wave of feminism that was emerging in the form of female punk-rock and also gives the impression that the protagonist is different to her peers in terms of ideology, as a female teen movie protagonist would usually be.

Setting - Though the film begins on the road, the cars then drive into the parking lot of an american high school. The next shot is a pan shot of the school courtyard which includes many of the different high school cliques, which is typical of the genre.

Genre Table

Genre	Setting	Characters	Themes
Rom-Com	City	Boy Girl	Love Misfortune
Classic Horror	Haunted House/Forest	Couple Innocent girl/Mean girl Child Chaser/Villain	Fear of the unknown Chase
Zombie Horror	Various	Zombies Hero Girl Guy after girl Accomplices	Chase Apocalyptic Against-all-odds
Comedy	Normally varies throughout	Protagonist Group of friends Girl(s)	Happy Funny Unrest
Sci-Fi	Outer space/Spaceship	Leader/Captain Other life forms Crew Prisoners?	Outer-space
Animation	Various e.g Zoo, Fantasy worlds, Bedroom	Hero Accomplice Conquest Villain(s)	Childhood
College	Campus	Girl/Boy Nerdy people Fraternity/Problem group	Overcoming the odds
Fantasy	Fantasy world	Protagonists/Hero Friend/Helper Girl/Quest Villain	Exploring the surreal/imagination
Crime	City	Villain/Gang Authorities Protagonist Girl??	Suspense Realistic
Western	The outback	Leader Cowboys Bad Guy	Romance Action Adventure