Applying the concept of genre to our trailer
The concept of genre refers to specific conventions that may be easily identified and these characteristics may either conform or subvert from the genre for meaning. Genre was a key factor in the construction of my film poster for film trailer entitled 'Infatuated'.
My film poster both subverts and conforms to genre conventions, but predominantly subverts which refers to Roland Barthes' enigma code - which explains the use of ambiguity, and is usually used within narratives, but can also be used to represent subversion in terms of genre.
The film trailer is a hybrid genre of psychological thriller and stalker, with a romantic elements, as the two main characters are drawn to one another but the antagonist is presented as obsessed. This demonstrates Henry Jenkins' idea of evolving hybridisation, suggesting that genre constantly 'breaks rules' and therefore media products may adopt themes and conventions from two or more genres to make one, still independent genre.
My film poster arguably subverts the genre of psychological thrillers due to the use of a beige/light colour as the background, as according to my audience research , individuals often associate dark, monochrome colours whit psychological thrillers. The beige background does however fade into the image of the antagonist which again links with the enigma code as it creates a sense of ambiguity and perhaps a foreboding plot. The title of the film 'Infatuated' adheres to the romantic segment of the genre, as the word is used to describe being deeply in love with someone to the point of obsession. The font used for the title also conforms to this genre as the font is handwritten, implying a love letter-esque vibe for the whole poster. This can be explained using Steven Neale's study, arguing that Hollywood's generic regime performs two inter-related functions: to guarantee meanings and pleasures for audiences and also to offset the considerable economic risks of industrial film productions by providing "cognitive collateral against innovation and difference". Features that conform to conventions e.g. the title of the film, the font used, and the model's iconography (white robe)and her positioning, are examples of predictable pleasures for the audience as the conventions they expect to see are satisfied. 'Infatuated' also focuses on a darker matter which does conform to the genre of psychological thrillers.
As well as this, the cast is ethnically diverse, with a white female as the antagonist and a black male as the protagonist, this however is uncommon as the 'damsel in distress' stock type is traditionally a white female, and this is a common stereotype in psychological thrillers.
Subverting from this norm highlights how genre is in a constant process of negotiation and change, Buckingham further explains this by stating how genre reflects and shapes the rapidly changing face of society. The post colonial theory can also be applied because the protagonist's ethnicity is not key to his character, showing that the characters are deracialised and that there has been a progression in media in terms of the representation of ethnic minorities and their role within media productions.
My film poster both subverts and conforms to genre conventions, but predominantly subverts which refers to Roland Barthes' enigma code - which explains the use of ambiguity, and is usually used within narratives, but can also be used to represent subversion in terms of genre.
The film trailer is a hybrid genre of psychological thriller and stalker, with a romantic elements, as the two main characters are drawn to one another but the antagonist is presented as obsessed. This demonstrates Henry Jenkins' idea of evolving hybridisation, suggesting that genre constantly 'breaks rules' and therefore media products may adopt themes and conventions from two or more genres to make one, still independent genre.
My film poster arguably subverts the genre of psychological thrillers due to the use of a beige/light colour as the background, as according to my audience research , individuals often associate dark, monochrome colours whit psychological thrillers. The beige background does however fade into the image of the antagonist which again links with the enigma code as it creates a sense of ambiguity and perhaps a foreboding plot. The title of the film 'Infatuated' adheres to the romantic segment of the genre, as the word is used to describe being deeply in love with someone to the point of obsession. The font used for the title also conforms to this genre as the font is handwritten, implying a love letter-esque vibe for the whole poster. This can be explained using Steven Neale's study, arguing that Hollywood's generic regime performs two inter-related functions: to guarantee meanings and pleasures for audiences and also to offset the considerable economic risks of industrial film productions by providing "cognitive collateral against innovation and difference". Features that conform to conventions e.g. the title of the film, the font used, and the model's iconography (white robe)and her positioning, are examples of predictable pleasures for the audience as the conventions they expect to see are satisfied. 'Infatuated' also focuses on a darker matter which does conform to the genre of psychological thrillers.
As well as this, the cast is ethnically diverse, with a white female as the antagonist and a black male as the protagonist, this however is uncommon as the 'damsel in distress' stock type is traditionally a white female, and this is a common stereotype in psychological thrillers.
Subverting from this norm highlights how genre is in a constant process of negotiation and change, Buckingham further explains this by stating how genre reflects and shapes the rapidly changing face of society. The post colonial theory can also be applied because the protagonist's ethnicity is not key to his character, showing that the characters are deracialised and that there has been a progression in media in terms of the representation of ethnic minorities and their role within media productions.
Comments
Post a Comment