Genres are important for any narrative and there are numerous genres which they can come under. Below are the list of genres which we are familiar with and the conventions that come with each.
The Main Film Genres:
Action - Purely designed for audience escapism, action films often have high-speed chases, fight scenes, stunts and continuous action that is fast-paced due to editing techniques. Examples include James Bond.
Adventure - Similar to action films, there is often a lot of energy and excitment for the audience when a hero / heroine goes on an expedition. It often relates back to historical figures or includes them within the film. Examples include The Three Musketeers.
Comedy - These are often light-hearted dramas that aim to make the audience members laugh. The endings are usually happy to allow the audience to escape in the story. Examples include Monty Python.
Crime and Gangster - This is a dark and thrilling genre to explore often following a notorious group of criminals and escaped convicts who involve themselves with police and unlawful deeds. Examples include The Public Enemy.
Drama - Often portraying real-life situations based on real people, drama films are serious stories told to show humans in their best and worst light. However, most film genres have developed from this genre. Examples include To Kill A Mockingbird
Epics / Historical - Based on historical / past events, epics are often made more dramatic by adding elaborate costumes and set designs to emphasise the period that it is set. Examples include The Adventures of Robin Hood.
Horror - Created to scare and terrify, horrors play on the audiences worst fears. They focus on the darker side of life to provoke the audiences imagination. Examples include Frankenstein.
Musical / Dance - Combining music, dance and song, musicals are a popular escape for many audiences and has been considered to be the most popular genre for audiences to lose themselves within. They are usually considered to be 'cheesy' with predictable storylines but offer entertainment for all the family. Examples include Hairspray.
Science Fiction - Or Sci-Fi are often set in futuristic environments that show an imaginative and possible advances in technology. Special effects are widely used throughout most sci-fi films to create higher verisimilitude. Examples include Gattaca.
War / Anti-War - Though quite self-explanatory, this genre usually re-creates historical battles and shows a different perspective to the war, whether from enemy lines or heros from that time. Examples include M*A*S*H.
Westerns - This genre is always set in America as it is one of the defining genres of the American film industry. Westerns are one of the oldest genres still-going and often portray a romantic storyline in a dramatic back drop or harsh terrain.
Film Sub-Genres:
Biographical - These depict and dramatise the life of someone from history. Examples include Evita.
'Chick' Flicks - Considered to be romantic comedies, 'chick' flicks are often aimed at women to provide tear-jerker storylines and emotional situations. The audience experience a mixture of emotional states throughout with a positive and uplifting ending. Examples include P.S I Love You.
Detective / Mystery - Usually from the perspective of a police officer / private investigator, this genre allows the audience to be swept away in to trying to solve the mystery or murder before the characters on screen. Examples include Sherlock Holmes.
Disaster - Based around events that could happen, disaster films tend to scare the audience and ask them what they would do in a situation by taking them on natural or even man-made disaster storylines. Examples include War Of The Worlds.
Fantasy - Usually influenced by scientific truth, this genre takes audiences on a surreal experience where events are unlikely to occur. It is often dependant on the audiences imagination and beliefs. Examples include The Wonderful World of the Brothers Grimm.
Guy - Playing on males aspirations, these films often feature 'hot' women, cars, sexual innuendos and violent fight scenes. Examples include The Godfather.
Melodramas ('Weeper' Films) - The plot is often heightened to increase emotional responses from the audience - mainly women. It combines music within its storyline to provoke the emotional states. Examples include Mannequin.
Romance - Plots that focus on passion, lust and emotion that takes the audience with the characters journey of love. Examples include Romeo and Juliet.
Sports - Set in a sport environment, this genre dramatises a competitive event that are often central to history. Examples include Cool Runnings.
Supernatural - This genre focuses on paranormal activities or ghostly apparitions but not designed to frighten audiences. Examples include The Picture of Dorian Gray.
Thriller / Suspense - To promote suspense and excitement, thrillers are designed to heighten anxiety and tension within the audience. Examples include Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.
Other Genres:
Animated - Using stop-frame cinematography, animations are often computerised or hand-drawn pictures that tell the story. Examples include Mickey Mouse - Steamboat Willie.
Childrens / Family-Orientated - Completely non-offensive and purely entertaining, these films are easy-watching, appealing to family audiences. They often include a child actor / actress to appeal to the children watching. Examples include The Wizard of Oz.
Classic - These are universal favourites that are often repeated with indefinable quality. Examples include Gone With The Wind.
Cult - Usually quirky, surreal and weird, cult films step outside the typical conventions and narratives of films to provide a very unusual experience. Examples include Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Documentary - Non-fictional factual works which are more narrative based. Examples include Let It Be.
Serial - With a simple plot, this genre of film often comes in episodes that were showed over a few weeks or years. They were originally used as shorts before the main film in a cinema / theatre. Examples include Tarzan (and numerous titles).
Silent - These were the very earliest forms of film that came with a musical accompaniment rather than dialogue or other sounds. Examples include City Lights.
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