Preliminary Exercise 5: Analyzing Film Genre

Understanding the concept of genre is critical to understanding the vast expanse of filmmaking. In the context of film, genre refers to the classification of works based on stylistic, thematic, and narrative elements that are shared. For several reasons, this classification is critical for both film producers and audiences. For starters, it gives filmmakers a framework for communicating the intended tone, style, and content of a film, which aids in the production process. Second, genres serve as a guide for audiences, assisting them in navigating their preferences and making informed decisions when choosing films. There are four major film genres, each with its own set of conventions: drama, comedy, action, and horror. Furthermore, subgenres refine classifications based on specific elements within a larger genre. For example, within the horror genre, the subgenre of horror-slasher focuses on a specific storytelling style. Identifying subgenres is critical for a more nuanced understanding, allowing filmmakers and audiences to delve deeper into thematic and stylistic variations. For example, one could investigate the horror-slasher subgenre. Romantic comedy is my favorite film genre because it combines the warmth of romantic narratives with the lightheartedness of comedy, resulting in a delightful and entertaining cinematic experience.

The purpose of this assignment is to design a poster that dives into the complexities of a selected film genre and its corresponding subgenre, providing a visual representation of key elements. In this case, my partner and I have chosen the romance genre, with a special focus on the romantic comedy subgenre. Our mutual appreciation for films that seamlessly blend romance and humor results in an engaging and lighthearted viewing experience. The romance genre, with its emphasis on love and emotional relationships, frequently investigates the complexities of human relations. The romantic comedy subgenre, on the other hand, injects humor into romantic narratives, adding a sense of playfulness and charm. We aim to highlight three specific mise en scène elements that are unique to romantic comedies in our research, providing an insightful exploration of how visual elements contribute to the genre's overall appeal.

Genre: Romance

Setting: Urban landscape with cafes, parks, and iconic landmarks.

Iconography: Roses, love letters, engagement rings, city skylines.

Narrative Themes: Love and self-discovery, lucky encounters, second chances, and the transformative power of love are all explored.

Characters: Romantic leads, quirky best friends, wise mentors.

Tone and Atmosphere: Heartwarming, whimsical, emotionally resonant.

Rain Kiss Scene: Film Example: "The Notebook" (2004)

Wedding Proposal with a Ring:"Pride and Prejudice" (2005)

Reflection

The objective of the task was to create a bubble diagram poster that visually analyzes the elements of mise en scène in a chosen media text. In the above example, the media text is a romantic comedy film, and the poster's objective is to breakdown and express the major aspects contributing to the film's overall visual composition. To accomplish the task, I reviewed the chosen film, identifying and categorizing elements of mise en scène such as setting, props, characters, and atmosphere. A large piece of construction paper, sharpies, pencils, and other creative items were used to explain me and my partner's point. In terms of expertise, I consider myself as intermediate, with a decent understanding of the tools and applications but a desire to constantly learn and improve. This exercise helped me gain a better understanding of the complex details that contribute to the visual storytelling in a romantic comedy, as well as the importance of mise en scène in conveying the genre's tone, atmosphere, and narrative themes.

Work-Cited

What is a genre? definition, examples of genres in literature (no date) Writing Explained. Available at: https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/genre (Accessed: September 2023).

Shawn ManaherShawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager (2023) Subgenre vs genre: When to use each one? what to consider, The Content Authority. Available at: https://thecontentauthority.com/blog/subgenre-vs-genre#:~:text=A%20subgenre%20is%20a%20category%20that%20falls%20under,literature%2C%20music%2C%20film%2C%20or%20other%20forms%20of%20art. (Accessed: 20 December 2023).