Within my project, I may want represent the problem of underage drinking. Drinking is bad for anyone, but especially it is bad and can be extremely harmful to those of us who are underage. This has been a well documented and talked about problem for awhile now, and everyone seems to have their own opinion on the matter.

In the media, underage drinking is rightfully painted to be horrible and always bad. It makes anyone who does it out be a bad person, which is unfair however. Underage drinkers are also painted to be criminals and delinquents which I again believe is unfair. I can see how the media may think portraying people this way is ok though. Many people who do drink while underage do end up bad and criminal, I just don't think it's fair to give that stereotype to everyone.

In my project I would retain the bad things about underage drinking, it only include the facts. I wouldn't stretch any truths and would make sure my views are impartial. I wouldn't retain all of unfair claims about the people and any made up statistics. 

Genre:

Horror

Horror is a genre thats purpose is to create a feeling of fear or terror amongst the audience. 

It has been around for more than a century and sometimes may overlap with many other genres such as thrillers.

Genre Conventions: Content

Horror films are so successful in the movie world because they are always able to tap into everyones worst fears and exploit them to keep the audience intrigued. Horror films understand that there are about 10 basic things that everyone is afraid of and uses them to their advantage. For example, directors know that many people are afraid of the dark, so they make most of their scenes take place in dark or grim locations.

Horror films also almost always involve an evil spirit or something gruesome. This dates back to the beginnings of horror, when directors would put vampires and bats with medieval castles in the background because it appealed to the people then. Now people are more into haunting religious spirits. Directors know this so they make movies like the exorcist to appeal to the viewers senses.

Genre Conventions: Production Techniques

Horror is a genre that relies heavily themes, moods, and tones that each minor detail matters. In horror films, many lighting tricks are used to make each scene more drastic. A lot of directors even underexpose their shots to get a better effect. Underexposing can work really well because it’ll leave more areas of the frame in the shadows and create a more mysterious feeling

Also, sounds play a huge role in horror films. In suspenseful situations, perfectly timed jump scares and cuts can make or break a film especially of this genre.

Film sample:

The Exorcist (1973)

This film is a perfect example of a horror film. It uses religious figures as well as many jump scares to stun the audience and frighten them. Also, almost this entire movie is shot in dark gray hues to add that more trapped and grim effect on the viewer.

Film sample:

The Shining (1980)

The Shining is an all time classic horror film, but it does not follow the conventional route. It is not shot with dark hues, however it is shot while keeping the viewers general fears in mind. The whole film is about isolation and psychopaths. Bright snow can sometimes be just as effective as dark nights.

Other Examples:

The Nun (2018)

It (2017)

The Conjuring (2013)

SAW (2004)

Scream (1996)

Genre:

Comedy

Comedy is a genre of film that focuses mainly on humor. Comedy films are intended almost solely on making the audience laugh. Comedy itself is the oldest genre of film, but many new sub-genres have come about within this one big genre over the course of time.

Genre Conventions: Content

In comedies, situations are often exaggerated or characters may be so stereotypically one way that many people just can’t help it but laugh. This is on purpose. Directors carefully choose this because they know what catches the viewer’s attention and know what they want. It’s the physical content that the viewer will see so it must be funny and memorable. Also, directors make good use of irony within their comedies as well. Irony brings a sort of mature immaturity to a film. Most of the time, ironic things involve serious events but give them an immature twist. That is what makes it funny and why it is greatly used and embedded in comedic films.

Comedy films also almost always have a happy ending. When people go to comedic films, it is because they wants to feel good or have a laugh. When films have sad or cruel endings, it has a completely negative effect on the viewer. Some people may have the argument that dark comedy or dark humor isn’t happy because it mainly focuses on death and other catastrophes, however if used carefully and properly, it can insight happiness or even relief among the viewer.

Genre Conventions: Production Techniques

In comedies, camera tricks are often used to set up for an incoming joke. A heavily used trick is known to some as the wait for it trick. This is where the camera stays still, allowing a joke to happen on its own with action going across screen. This trick works because lots of times, we expect something to happen a certain way and when it doesn’t it gives the director a perfect opportunity to use this technique. For example, when a character goes off screen but we know they were supposed to go the other way, the camera is still and waiting for them to come back across the screen to correct their mistake and go the right way.

Added in sound also plays a huge role in comedic films. Nothing beats a perfectly timed sound effect. In a playful fight scene, sound effects can either make the scene or break the scene. Any delay in the sound of a punch as compared to it visually can throw the audience off and cause confusion rather than laughter.

Institutional Conventions: How Is Genre Marketed

Like many other genres, comedy markets itself extremely well in previews and advertisements. However, it seems as if comedies really connect to audiences through social medias and networking sites. Lots of times, accounts will be made specifically for the film and it will become interactive with its viewers. These accounts also have the ability to make jokes comments that are funny aside from the movie to attract more fans.

Comedies also use current analogies a lot of the time when marketing. They do this to keep their younger audience intrigued as they can understand and relate to what is being advertised to them.

People can mostly tell when a comedy is being presented to them by looks however. Comedies usually are displayed in previews and posters with bright colors and headlining comedic actors or actresses. This is the main way comedies are marketed and probably the most effective.

Film sample:

TED (2012)

This film embodies my genre in every aspect that I have previously explained. Many things are exaggerated throughout the film and a ton of irony is used, sound effects are  perfectly timed and placed throughout as well. This film however nailed it in the marketing aspect. It sent out previews and ads like every genre does, but it also did something only a comedy can do. It created an interactive twitter account that still runs to this day. The main purpose of this account was to make jokes to and about their fans in hopes to attract more followers, and that they did. Ted also relates heavily to current humor and does a great job of making jokes that mostly all intended viewers can understand.

Film sample:

Superbad (2007)

The film Superbad is in most people’s books known as a classic. This is because of the all-star headlining cast as well as a perfectly modern and original plot. The film is based on the exaggerated problems that teenagers run into as they are trying to prepare for an “epic” party. I say this had a perfect plot because most everyone can relate to what is going on in the film and can look back and laugh at the moments. Also, each role is stereotypically exactly what you would expect it to look like, from a highschooler to a cop. This film really hit the nail on the head in proving that it is truly a great comedy.

Other Examples:

The Hangover (2009)

Shaun of the Dead (2004)

Borat (2006)

Happy Gilmore (1996)

Airplane! (1980)

Hello everyone, my name is Josh and I am a student at Cypress Bay High School. I have created this blog to post about work in my AICE Media Studies class. Here is where you can find my responses as well as personal input on many varying topics about media over the next year. I look forward to keeping everyone updated with my future blog posts here and hope you enjoy!