Lesson 1: Knowing the Different Types of

Film Genre

Yes, sir. Certainly, it was I who found the body. This morning, as usual, I went to cut my daily quota of
cedars, when I found the body in a grove in a hollow in the mountains. The exact location? About
150meters off the Yamashina stage road. It’s an out-of-the-way grove of bamboo and cedars. The body
was lying flat on its back dressed in a bluish silk kimono and a wrinkled head-dress of the Kyoto style. A
single sword-stroke had pierced the breast. The fallen bamboo-blades around it were stained with
bloody blossoms. No, the blood was no longer running. The wound had dried up, I believe. And also, a
gad-fly was stuck fast there, hardly noticing my footsteps.

You ask me if I saw a sword or any such thing?

—In a Grove, by Ryunosuke Akutagawa

Knowing the Different Types of Film Genre

As the famous saying goes, “there are always two sides to a story.” However, in the case of
Ryunosuke Akutagawa’s short story, there are at least seven. And that’s just from a single story. There
are arguably limitless ways of telling a story. Like in the short story “In a Grove” (adapted into the classic
film, Rashomon, directed by Akira Kurosawa), one could take a single event and look at it from different
perspectives, adding layer upon layer to the narrative as a whole.

The plot and characters may be prevalently known as the vital parts in
shaping up a good story, but it is also important to consider a story’s other
elements, such as the point of view, subject matter, themes, period, and
narrative structure, among others. These easily-overlooked elements define
the approach .and particular quality that a story has. These elements can spell
the difference between a good story and a great one.
 In time, the different kinds of approaches to making stories have become familiar and recurring.
They fall into patterns that we recognize right away. Thus, stories that have well-known conventions,
tropes, and other similar qualities are categorized into a group. These are what we know as genres. In
film, genres mostly evolved along with the advancement of technology to make movies.

Back in the day, movies were simplistic, ranging from simple comedies, dramas, westerns, among
others. Nowadays, movies about the fantastical and extraordinary are the
norm, such as epic space adventures, fantasy folklore, superhero flicks, and
full-length animated films using computer generated imagery. The sky is not
the limit. Movies go way beyond what we know to be familiar

You must be already itching to make movies so you can tell your very own stories and win academy
awards and such, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

Before we start learning and undertaking the process of video production and filmmaking, first, it is
important to know what kind of story you desire to tell. Knowing the certain qualities and characteristics
of the different film genres can help you hone your skills in creating and telling your very own story
Categorizing Films
A movie, like any story, can be comprised of many elements which we distinguish and categorize into
groups called film genres. Films can be categorized in a dizzying number of ways. But for practical
purposes, they are categorized between the following:

Film genres
are the

categorization of various forms of film, based on consistent, recurring, and familiar filmic patterns,
techniques, and conventions. The following are important when grouping films into a certain genre:
story, plot, narrative events, structure, characters, motifs, styles, themes, messages, familiar icons, and
characterization

Films cannot usually be grouped exclusively into a sole genre. Most, if not all of the films released, are a
combination of two or more genres and are called hybrids. An example is the romantic comedy, which is
now more popularly called the rom-com, for short. The horror-comedy is another example that has
experienced a rise in popularity recently. Other examples of hybrid-type genres are the following:
science fiction-action-adventure, documentary-comedy (or “mockumentary”), and the action-comedy.
Elements of a Narrative Film
One defining component to them is… you guessed it, a narrative! Narrative films are also called fictional
films. They stand in contrast to documentary films which mainly present information. Narrative films are
mainly defined by two things—the story being presented and its narrative discourse or how the story is
told

The story is basically defined as a series of events, characters, and action represented within a given
setting of time and place, or a world of cause and effect.

The narrative discourse is mainly evident in the strategies of presentation, specifically when the camera
is used to present different perspectives and depths. This allows the viewer to be immersed in the world
of the story by actually showing the faces, the actions, the movements, and the events happening. In
contrast, the situations and events presented in literary fiction can only be imagined.

There are lots of styles and flourishes to be made in the narrative discourse of a film. Everything
depends on what the director of the film wants to achieve with the story. These different styles can be
categorized through the recurring film elements.

Theme - involves the issues, topics, or concepts around which the story revolves

Setting - the environment where and when the story takes place

Mood - emotional tone of the story

Plot - sequence of event

Main Types of Film Genre

Action/Adventure. This is exemplified by high energy scenes

Comedy. This has one priority: to make you laugh.

Drama. This is serious in nature, and is either plot- or character-driven

Horror/Suspense. This is designed to provoke one strong emotional response from the viewers:
fear.

Westerns. This can be identified through familiar frontier- America-period or “cowboy”

elements
Crime and Gangsters. This deals with shady characters involving sinister actions.

Detective/Mystery. This revolves around the protagonist unraveling a particular mystery, which
is the central aspect of the plot

Science Fiction. This deals with futuristic science and technological concepts around which the
plot revolves.

Fantasy. This often has the elements of myth, magic, wonder, and the extraordinary.

Biographical. This depicts the life of a person with historical importance.

Historical/Epic. This is set in a particular period in time of interest to the audience.

Musical. This centers on musical dance performances as a main part of the narrative.

“Chick Flick”/Guy Film. The characters in this type of film are those that viewers can relate to.

Sports. The story of this type moves around a sport or sports setting.

Documentary. This presents and documents reality in different settings, situations,

circumstances, and characters.

Animated lms. This uses animation and rendered “cartoons” to present the narrative.

There are degrees of “realism” in documentary films. Regardless of being generally considered
as non-fictional films, fictional elements may still be used in documentaries. For example, the
filming and recreation of events that truthfully happened (reenactments) can be part of the
documentary process

A story can be told in many and diverse ways. It all depends on the different approaches one
might take in making and telling a story. The same can be said for filmmaking. We categorize
these different approaches in numerous types of ways, but we mainly group them based on
recurring and familiar patterns within the story. We call these groupings film genres. A film
genre is defined mainly through the story, how the story is told, and through its elements
(theme, plot, mood, setting). In time, film genres have evolved along with the technology to
make films
Film genre - the categorization of various forms of film, based on consistent, recurring, and
familiar filmic patterns, techniques, and conventions

Hybrids - films which share the elements of two or more film genres

Story - a series of events, characters, and action represented within a given setting of time and
place, or a world of cause and effect

Narrative Discourse - how the story is told, which is mainly manifested on the approach of
presentation with the use of the camera
Q1 COMP

We can categorize film base on Quality.

A movie, like any story, can be comprised of many elements which we distinguish
and categorize into groups called film genres.

A story is basically defined as a series of events, characters, and action represented

within a given setting of time and place, or a world of cause and effect.

A combination of two or more genres --- Hybrid

This involves the issues, a central idea, beliefs, topics, or concepts around which the
story revolves. --- Theme

The categorization of various forms of film, based on consistent, recurring, and

familiar filmic patterns, techniques, and conventions --- Film Genres

The one who takes the action in the story. --- Character

The environment where and when the story takes place. --- Settings

A series of events, characters, and action represented within a given setting of time
and place, or a world of cause and effect. --- Story

This uses animation and rendered “cartoons” to present the narrative. – animated films

The emotional tone of the story. --- Mood

A type of film genre which has one main defining aspect: high energy scenes. –
action / adventure

A type of film genre which has a lot of random singing and dancing performances –
musical

A type of film genre that mainly tries to present reality and information rather than
tell a story. – documentary

A type of film genre which panders to its audience, where specifically a

male/female viewers can directly relate to the characters in the story. – chick flick /
guy film

It has cowboy elements – westerns

This type of film genre is for entertainment and to make the audience laugh –
comedy
It is serious in nature and either plot or character driven. Topics revolved around
Social Issues and Life Issues. – drama

It has elements of myth, magic, wonder, and extraordinary that will make the
viewers amaze of the scenes in the plot of the story. – fantasy

This type of film genres deals with futuristic science and technological concepts. –
science fiction
WLA TO MGA BE NEXT QUA PA

Preparing Your Story

The tale of the young ill-fated lovers Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet is perhaps the most
memorable among The Bard’s plays. There are big screen adaptations, stage productions,
musicals, and even satires of The Most Excellent and Lamentable Tragedy of Romeo and
Juliet. Created more than four centuries ago, it still is the most famous love story ever told.
William Shakespeare’s great literary genius remains unsurpassable. Imagine composing
around 38 plays, 154 sonnets, and numerous poems in a span of only 30 years! If you were to
write even one story today, do you think you can also make it last ever and a day?

Pre-production is the planning stage in filmmaking. This is the stage where you write your
story and visualize it. In other words, this is the times when you brainstorm for ideas. After
deciding on a main concept and a film genre to tackle, you should write it down and then
start creating your story. The story will be the basis of your video work. A good story almost
always produces a good video.

Creating Your Story

The Fiction Story

A story makes or breaks a film. Your story is arguably the most important element of your
video. It is your basis for every decision you will make as a filmmaker. It determines the
duration of the video, the video footage or pictures that should be shot, and the editing style.
There is a myriad of stories that you can tell. The choice of story is entirely your call. The stories
can range from auto biographical to historical. The length of the story can also vary according to
your preference. But for starters, you are encouraged to tell stories that are close to your heart.
Knowing your story well is a big plus because it gives you a clear picture of what you want in the
end. It is also easier if you choose to create a shorter story with just one or a couple of
characters. As much as it is fun to run away with your imagination, you have to be aware that
you will eventually shoot it. Even at this early stage, you already have to consider your time,
budget, and other constraints in filming your story.

The Point of View

Once you have your story, you should know from what perspective you will tell it. The following
are the different points of view in narration.

1. The objective - You just state what is happening without disclosing anything about what the
characters think or feel.

2. The third person - The narrator, who is not an actual character, tells the story and even the
emotions of the main character/s.

3. The rst person - The narrator does participate in the action and is telling the story according
to how he/she perceives it.

4. The omniscient - The narrator knows everything, from what the characters are thinking to
their every action.

In choosing a perspective, pick one that you are at ease with. Then sit down and start writing
your story.

The Character and the Plot

e Classic Structure

The standard approach to writing a story is the three-part structure where you already have a
definite beginning, middle, and end in mind.

The beginning, or introduction, is usually where the main character is revealed. You must be
able to convey the character’s essence because this will move the story forward. This is called
character-sketching.

After establishing the character, you move on to the middle part of the story. This is where you
start developing the plot by means of presenting other characters and obstacles. Conflicts will
lead to the rise in action in the plot, and eventually, to the climax, which is the peak of action in
the plot.

The ending, or resolution, is the result of the decisions that your character makes. In choosing
your main character, you have a wide array of options. Just bear in mind that you have to make
the audience know for certain the identity of your main character

Sample Three-Part StructureIntroduction (Beginning)A character is first seen in the shadows,

inside an office. Then, someone comes in and hands him afolder; it turns out that he is an
undercover cop ordered to stop a shipment of illegal goods.Plot Development (Middle)The cop
starts his spying. He finds the shipment. Standing under a lamppost from a distance, he seeshis
father overseeing the handling of illegal goods. This is the obstacle that he has to confront.
What is heto do? Should he act as a police officer sworn to uphold the law, or should he act as a
loving son? The copsuppresses his feelings for his father and arrests him.Resolution (Ending)The
cop sends his father to jail and is given merits of distinction for his selflessness. He later
ponders onhis actions and visits his father in jail, hoping to get closure. He expects only
contempt from his old man,but instead, his father tells him he did the right thing and advises
him to keep up the good work as a cop.Alternative StructuresAlthough the three-part structure
helps, it is not necessary that one uses it. Sometimes, goingagainst the norm helps give you
ideas for different and more interesting stories.For example, you can choose to tell your story
backwards or start by showing the ending. Then,you can work your way towards the beginning.
Likewise, you can start at the climax of the story. Youcan also try working with stories that may
seem to have no structure at all, such as one with jumbledpast and present or real and
imaginary events. A number of films with such plot structures have infact been received well by
the public.There is a multitude of stories that you can invent by mixing and matching the basic
elements ofgood writing. You only have to write down all your ideas so you will not forget
them.The Non-fiction StoryNot all stories are made-up. For example, you decide to document a
Santacruzan procession. Inthis case, you won’t be able to fully control everything, unlike with a
fiction story you created.If you want to film a non-fiction story (otherwise called a
documentary), you should researchabout the topic well. The details determine what images
you need to shoot, when to shoot, whatto shoot first, and how to shoot the images. Having an
initial plan gives you an idea of the barestminimum you need to shoot to create your
story.Going back to our example, you need to know where and how the preparations are held
for theSantacruzan, from the participants up to the procession’s end. To make it even more
interesting,include the shooting of details such as a close-up of the face of a Reyna Elena. Or
the dancing flames