NAME – RAUNAK MONU RAJ

FILM DIRECTION ( 6 TH SEMESTER)

DESSERTATION TOPIC – FILM GENRES

 FILM GENRES

A film genre is a stylistic or thematic category  for motion pictures based on similarities either in

the narrative elements, aesthetic approach, or the emotional response to the film.[2]
Drawing heavily from the theories of literary-genre criticism, film genres are usually delineated by
"conventions, iconography, settings, narratives, characters and actors."One can also classify
films by the tone, theme/topic, mood, format, target audience, or budget.] These characteristics
are most evident in genre films, which are "commercial feature films , through repetition and
variation, tell familiar stories with familiar characters and familiar situations" in a given genre.
A film's genre will influence the use of filmmaking styles and techniques, such as the use
of flashbacks and low-key lighting in film noir ; tight framing in horror films; or special imphesis on
fonts like for the titles of Western films. In addition, genres have associated film-scoring
conventions, such as lush string orchestras  for romantic melodramas or electronic
music for science-fiction films Genre also affects how films are broadcast on television ,
advertised, and organized in video-rental stores.
Alan Williams distinguishes three main genre categories: narrative, avant-garde
and documentary.
With the proliferation of particular genres,film subgenres can also emerge: the legal drama, for
example, is a sub-genre of drama that includes courtroom- and trial-focused films. Subgenres
are often a mixture of two separate genres; genres can also merge with seemingly unrelated
ones to form hybrid genres where popular combinations include the romantic comedy and
the action comedy film. Broader examples include the docufiction  and docudrama , which merge
the basic categories of fiction and non-fiction (documentary).
Genres are not fixed; they change and evolve over time, and some genres may largely disappear
(for example, the melodrama). Not only does genre refer to a type of film or its category, a key
role is also played by the expectations of an audience about a film, as well as institutional
discourses that create generic structures.

Characteristics of particular genres are most evident in genre films, which are "commercial
feature films , through repetition and variation, tell familiar stories with familiar characters and
familiar situations" in a given genres.
Genres can also be classified by more inherent characteristics (usually implied in their names),
such as settings, theme/topic, mood, target audience, or budget /type or production.
 The setting is the environment—including both time and geographic —in which the story and
action take place (e.g., present day or historical period; Earth or outer-space; urban or rural,
etc.). Genres that are particularly concerned with this element include the historical, drama,
western and space opera, the names of which all denote particular settings
 The theme or topic refers to the issues or concepts that the film revolves around; for
example,the science fiction film, sports film and crime film.
 The mood is the emotional tone of the film, as implied in the names of the comedy film,
horror film or tearjerker.
 Genres informed by particular target audience include children’s, teen film,women’s film and
chick flick.
 Genres characterized by the type of production include the blockbuster, independent and ,
low budget movies such as the b movies (commercial) or amateur films (noncommercial).
 Screenwriters in particular, often organize their stories by genre, focusing their attention on
three specific aspects: atmosphere, character, and stories  A film's atmosphere includes
costumes, props locations, and the visceral experiences created for the audiences. Aspects
of character include archtypes, stock characters and the goals and motivations of the central
characters. Some story considerations for screenwriters, as they relate to genre, include
theme, tent pole  scenes, and how the rhythm of characters' perspective shift from scene to
scenes.

Examples of genres and subgenres in films.

Genres and subgenres

Genre Description Subgenre(s) Examples

Disaster films
Heroic bloodshed: defined
by stylized action
sequences and themes
such as duty, brotherhood,
honour, redemption.
 James bond
Associated with particular types Martial art films: focusing
Action films
of spectacle (e.g explosions, on the excitement and
films  Mission
chases, combat values of martial arts
impossible
Spy films : centered on the films
excitement and
entertainment of
espionage rather than
political or psychological
aspects super hero films
Implies a narrative that is
defined by a journey (often
including some form of pursuit)
and is usually located within a
fantasy or exoticized setting.
Typically, though not always, Pirate fillms Dolittle
Adventure
such stories include the guest Samurai films Ready player one
films
narratives. The predominant
emphasis on violence and
fighting in action films is the
typical difference between the
two genre.
Animated A film medium in which the  THE LION
films film's images are primarily  Cutout animation KING
created by computer or hand  Live-action animated  SUICIDE
and the characters are voiced film SQUAD;
by actors Animation can HELL TO PAY
 Stop motion film
otherwise incorporate any
 genre and subgenre[2] and is o Claymation
often confused as a genre
 Traditional animation
itself.
 Action-comedy film
 Buddy comedy
 Dark/Black comedy
film
Defined by events that are
Comedy  Mockumentary  Rush hour
primarily intended to make the
films  Parody films
audience laugh
film (including spoof
film)
 Romantic comedy
 Slapstick film
 Legal drama
 Medical drama  The shape of
Focused on emotions and water
defined by conflict, often  Melodrama
Drama  The
looking to reality rather  Political drama
shawshank
than sensationalism.  Docudrama redemption
 Teen drama

Films defined by situations that

transcend natural laws and/or
by settings inside a fictional
universe, with narratives that  Contemporary fantasy Harry potters
Fantasy are often inspired by or involve  Dark fantasy films
films human myths. The genre  High/epic fantasy Pan’s
typically incorporates non-  Urban fantasy labyrinth
scientific concepts such
as magic , mythical characters
and supernatural elements.

Films that either provide more- 

 Alternate history
or-less accurate  Lincoln
 Biopic
representations of historical  Catch me if u
Historical  Historical epic
accounts or depict fictional can (2012)
films  Historical event
narratives placed inside an  Titanic (1997)
accurate depiction of a  Historical fiction
 Inglorious
historical setting.  Period piece
bastards
 Found footage  Nosferatu
 Ghost films  The
Films that seek to  Monster movie shining (1980)
Horror elicit Fear or Disgust in the o Vampire films 
films audience for entertainment o Werewolf films  Get out (2017)
purposes.  Slasher film  pulse (2001)
 Splatter film  Hellraiser
 Zombie film (1987)
Science Films are defined by a  Dystopian film  Children of
fiction film combination of imaginative  Post-apocalyptic film men (2006)
speculation and a scientific or  Military science fiction  Blade runner
technological premise, making  Steampunk film (1982)
 use of the changes and
trajectory of technology and  Tech noir
science. This genre often
 Utopian film
incorporates space, biology,
energy, time, and any other  Space opera
observable science.
Films that evoke excitement
and suspense  in the audience.
The suspense element found in
most films' plots is particularly
exploited by the filmmaker in  Psychological thriller  Psycho
Thriller
this genre. Tension is created  Mystery film  Wrath of a
films
by delaying what the audience  Techno-thriller man
sees as inevitable, and is built
through situations that are
menacing or where escape
seems impossible.
A genre in which films are set in
the american west during the
19th century and embodies the
"spirit, the struggle and the Django
demise of thenew frontier."  Epic Western unchained
Western These films will often
 Revisionist Western The good bad
films feature horse riding violent and
 Spaghetti Western and the ugly
non-violent interaction
with Native american
tribesGunfights, and technology
created during the industrial
revolution

POPULAR FILM GENRES

The movies released in india can be summarised in 7 genre types. There are six
major genres like action, comedy drama, horror, thriller and romance which
incorporate almost all movies. The movies which cannot be classified under any of
the genre above are classified under other genre. The introduction of these genres is
discussed in this section.

A)Action

Action films are basically character oriented films in which leading character give
heroic performance. These films includes fighting, bloodshed, deadly races and
stunts, distraught chases etc. generally there are two main characters in such films
in which hero earn a victory at the ending of the film by killing or arresting other
character in negative role of villain.
The action movie genre has proven to both a reliable box office collection and a solid
streaming option, with titles that remain popular for years and often quickly spawn
into major blockbuster franchises.

The chief elements in such films include

Strong hero
First and foremost, action movies live and die (literally) with their heroes. While there
are some examples of ensemble casts or buddy-cop duos (at their hearts, every
action movie needs a singular, strong, courageous hero. While the action movie hero
can certainly have character flaws — a disdain for protocol or a filthy chain-smoking
habit — the likability of the hero is often what ultimately decides the success of the
film. That’s why action movies are such star-driven titles. The actors or actresses
take on larger-than-life personas, making fans want to see them again and again.

2. Revenge Plot Genre Insights:

More often than not, an action movie’s plot is going to be solely fueled by some sort
of revenge or vengeance (or Avengement?) that will power the narrative from start to
bloody finish.

3. Training Montage
This is not an absolute requirement in every action movie. There are many action
movie heroes who are simply all-powerful who don’t need to level up for their final
showdowns.

4) A final showdown
Finally at the end of every action movie, you need a final showdown between your
villian and your hero. In some films these showdown line up pretty naturaly. There
are some other plots in which the hero and the villian have to find and confront
themselves. The final acts are usually some of the most complex and biggest
spectacles. It can be a long engaging sequences with the most drama and entrigue.

It includes action adventure films like Ek tha tiger, magadhera

,chase films like aiyaary dhoom series

,action comedy films all the best; fun begins

Crime action films like aaghaz, badlapur

Action drama films like 31st october, Airlift

Fantasy action films like adventures of ali baba and 40 thieves.

Historical action films like 1971 : beyond borders, shahid bhagat singh
Action horror films like bhaagamathie, go goa gone

Martial arts films like Action jackson, baaghi

Romantic action films like Dear comrade, coolie no. 1

Science fiction action films like Ra one , 2.O

Action war films like Bhuj – the pride of india, border.

The action movie genre has proven to both a reliable box office collection and a solid
streaming option, with titles that remain popular for years and often quickly spawn
into major blockbuster franchises.

The chief elements in such films include

Strong hero
First and foremost, action movies live and die (literally) with their heroes. While there
are some examples of ensemble casts or buddy-cop duos (at their hearts, every
action movie needs a singular, strong, courageous hero. While the action movie hero
can certainly have character flaws — a disdain for protocol or a filthy chain-smoking
habit — the likability of the hero is often what ultimately decides the success of the
film. That’s why action movies are such star-driven titles. The actors or actresses
take on larger-than-life personas, making fans want to see them again and again.

2. Revenge Plot Genre Insights:

More often than not, an action movie’s plot is going to be solely fueled by some sort
of revenge or vengeance (or Avengement?) that will power the narrative from start to
bloody finish.

3. Training Montage
This is not an absolute requirement in every action movie. There are many action
movie heroes who are simply all-powerful who don’t need to level up for their final
showdowns.

4) A final showdown
Finally at the end of every action movie, you need a final showdown between your
villian and your hero. In some films these showdown line up pretty naturaly. There
are some other plots in which the hero and the villian have to find and confront
themselves. The final acts are usually some of the most complex and biggest
spectacles. It can be a long engaging sequences with the most drama and entrigue.

B) Comedy
These films are much prominent on the jocularity. Target of these films is to make
audience laugh through amusement enhancing the humor. The characters in these
films possess a style which can even make saddest things funny. This is one of old
genre of movies which is popular from the starting of era of moving picture in form of
silent or black and white comedy. Not like other genres, comedy focused more on
dialogues and humor rather than star cast, emotion and story. Comedy genre has no
particular theme; in fact comedy movie can be created on any theme highlighting its
comic side.

It includes

1 ) Slap stick comedy

Slapstick traces its roots back to the stage where actors perform exaggerated
physical stunts and gags. Not surprisingly ,this comic style worked very well during
the early days of silent cinema.
Some common actors were charlie chapelin , buster keaton
Elements of slapstick comedy remain prevalent in modern comedy films as well.

Screwball comedy

It often gets associated with the romantic film genre especially in the early days, as
many of the big screwballs films were vehicle for love stories between two budding
cinema stars.

Black comedy

It explores things and topics we would normally not laugh at, like situations of war,
murder and death. They take on new life when re examined through a comic lens.

The dark comedy subgenre has explored , and actually helped audiences cope up
with many serious matters like as in the oscar winning parasite from korea this year.

Parody comedy

The idea of mocking or lampooning other forms of art is one of the most powerful
forms of comedy as it allows audiences to both laugh and analyse preconceived
notions about the source of the ridicule.

Parody can also take forms of mockumentary.

Some of the best comedy movies from india in recent times are Hera pheri, Munna
bhai mbbs , Andaz apna apna etc

C ) Drama

Drama genre deals with the human emotions of realistic characters. Drama is movie
category having leading characters or main characters related to story facing
problems or issues at critical points of their life. These films contain stories based on
emotions, addictions, hope, tragedy, poverty, woman empowerment, violence,
corruption etc. Drama is a very wide genre with remarkable number of production of
movies under it.

They offer serious presentations or stories with settings or life situations that potray
realistic characters in conflict with either themselves, others or forces of nature. A
dramatic film shows us human beings at their best, their worst and everything in
between. Each of the types of subject matter themes have various kinds of dramatic
plots. Drama films probably the largest film genre because they include a wide range
of human emotions.

Dramatic themes often include current issues, societal ills, and problems, concerns or
injustices, such as racial prejudice, religious intolerance (such as anti-Semitism), drug
addiction, poverty, political unrest, the corruption of power, alcoholism, class divisions,
sexual inequality, mental illness, corrupt societal institutions, violence toward women or
other explosive issues of the times.
These films have successfully drawn attention to the issues by taking advantage of the
topical interest of the subject.
Some of the popular drama film from india in recent times include Haidar, Article 15,
andhadun etc.

D) Horror
This genre deals with fears of the audience. These films generate glimpses of
negative emotions to create a terrifying feeling. These kinds of films are very
entertaining and popular over centuries. Themes of such films might be with deaths,
unknown fears, terror, nightmares, imaginary creatures, psychopaths, monsters,
zombies, evil witches and ghosts. Though these movies are based on negative or
horrifying aspects but these movies are one of the most demanding genre.

Horror is a film genre that’s scary for the purpose of entertainment. Horror movies
prey on viewers biggest fears and worst nightmares,leaving them with a sense of
dread and a rush of adrenaline. These films don’t all look the same—in fact, there
are many types of horror, from psychological to gore, that filmmakers use to craft
great horror films.
Horror overlaps with many other genres: the thriller genre, which aims to feel
suspenseful and exciting; and the sci-fi or fantasy genres, which often feature
strange creatures or the unknown.
Some common feature of horror movies include:
 More action than dialogue: Show the audience, don’t tell them, what the
characters are afraid of.
 Mounting suspense: Pacing the story and the action to take viewers by
surprise.
 Jump scares: Sudden loud noises or unexpected images that make viewers
jump.
 Gore: Gruesome death or torture scenes with blood and guts to further
unsettle the audience.
 A villain or a monster: Anyone—or anything—that’s beyond control. The
audience needs to know what drives the bad guy and what they’re capable
of.
 horror subgenres are
Psychological horror, slasher, gore, body horror, found footage, monster horror,
paranormal horror, horror comedy etc.
Some of the best horror genre movies from india include
Stree, 13 b, bhoot ,bulbul etc..

E) Romance
This genre comprises of the love stories showing passion, affection and genuine
emotions. Most of the movies falling under this type of genre show a journey of loved
ones from friendship, dating and marriage. Romance film make strong and
passionate love stories in which couples may face problems such as physical illness,
accidents, family problems etc. most of the romantic stories have a happy ending in
which love last forever in the lives of characters. The themes of such movies are love
at first side, one sided love, obsessive love, spiritual love, sentimental love,
destructive love, tragic love etc.

Romance genre’s primarily focuses on the relationship and romantic love between
two people, and must have an "emotionally satisfying and optimistic ending."
Romance films are romantic love stories that focus on passion, emotion, and the
affectionate romantic involvement of the main characters and the journey that their
genuinely strong, true and pure romantic love takes them through dating, courtship
or marriage.

It has many subgenres like

Historical romance
Romantic drama
Chick flick
Romantic comedies
Romantic action comedies etc

Some of the best romantic movies made in india in recent times include
Lootera , aashiqi 2 , jab we met, tamasha etc.

F) Thriller
The main attraction of thriller movie is its vivid fluctuation of the mood or mindset of
audience about the characters in film. These films give a wonderful blend of
suspense, surprise, sudden twists in story, excitement and panics. Specialty of such
is it keeps preconception of the audience till the climax of movie, hence these
movies are never out of market. Thriller films contain mystery, suspense, critical
crime cases etc.

The thriller genre movie and TV show definition is characterized by the moods it
elicits. Thrillers are about the feeling of thrills! They are movies and TV shows that
keep you wondering what will happen next. They give viewers heightened feelings of
suspense, excitement, surprise, anticipation, and anxiety.

Thrillers also usually have a main character who is slowly isolated from the people
they once trusted and relied on. The betrayal might thrust the protagonist into a new
worldview. They have to work alone to prove their innocence or take down the
people trying to kill them.

The main subgenre of thriller is the suspense genre. Suspense is maybe the most
crucial characteristic of the thriller genre. It gives the viewer a feeling of fascination
and excitement mixed with apprehension, anticipation, and tension.

Suspense is what keeps us wondering where the story will go. It's why people love
Alfred Hitchcock movies. Suspense is the root of unpredictability. It's a mystery and
rousing turn of events. It can build as the story goes on and keep people begging for
the climax. And it covers all kinds of thrillers, including its subgenres.

Some of the common thriller subgenres are

legal thriller, spy thriller, action-adventure thriller, medical thriller, police thriller,
romantic thriller, historical thriller, a political thriller, a religious thriller, a high-tech
thriller, a military thriller.

Some recent thriller genres from india in recent times include:

Ugly , andhadhun, ittefaq, drishyam etc.

G) Others Genres
The movies which cannot be classified under genre specified above or may be
classified into more than two genres. These movies might be falling under categories
like biography, history, religion based etc.
Most of the indian movies fall under these six genres and can be classified amongst
them.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

INTERNET:

WIKIPEDIA
IMDB
NO FILM SCHOOL
FILMSITE.ORG
PREMIUMBEAT.COM
MILNEPUBLISHING.GENESO.EDU
STUDIOBINDER

BOOKS
AN INTRODUCTION TO FILM GENRES