The document discusses conventions in different film genres. For action films, it notes that chases and fights between protagonists and antagonists are common, as well as quick pacing, explosions, and clashes between good and bad characters. Horror films frequently feature isolated settings to build tension, unknown threats like ghosts, and the use of cameras and dark colors. Comedy relies on bright colors, quirky characters, slapstick humor, and edited sounds. Romantic comedies usually follow a "boy meets girl" plot, focus on the workplace, and show the female perspective. Crime films typically involve drugs and weapons, reveal a character's difficult upbringing, strive for realism, and portray rude urban characters dealing with arrest or
2. Action
There are many different conventions of action films. For example in many action films the
film will contain a 'cat and mouse' chase which usually involves one of the main characters,
protagonist or antagonist, being chased by another main character, this then leads to another
convention within action films which is fights between characters once the 'cat' has caught the
'mouse'.
Another convention within an action film is quick pace shots. This allows the audience
watching the film become engrossed into the film, the film 'Spectre' does this particularly well
throughout the film, these quick pace shots also allow us to (the audience) to see how
dangerous the certain a character may find themselves in, therefore building suspense and
tension for the audience.
Explosions and crashes are also very common in films, this is shown in the image above in
the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens which uses a range of different explosions and other
different effects to create a pleasing shot for the audience. Crashes are also common in
action films, this happens regulary in James Bond films where the main character will chase
after the bad guy which links in with another convention for action films which is the typical
'good guy vs bad guy', however some films go against this convention and sometimes use 2
'good guys' to go against each other, a more recent example is the film 'Batman v Superman:
Dawn of Justice' where 2 proposed good guys fight each other.
3. Horror
In horror there are a range of different conventions that are commonly seen. For
example,isolated places make for a good setting when it comes to horror films, for example
the image above is from the film 'Cabin in the Woods' which was set in a isolated area which
was a forest. These isolated settings allow the audience to feel isolated themselves and
therefore become more immersed into the film and makes the audience think about how the
characters within the film are going to escape.
Another common convention for horror films is the 'fear of the unknown'. The most common
example of this is ghosts and demons, for example in the film 'Paranormal Activity' the whole
film is based around ghosts and demons and strikes terror into the audience since it is the
'fear of the unknown'.
Some horror films also use cameras to effect the way we see the story, in 'Paranormal
Activity' we see some of the film through CCTV, furthermore in the film 'Cloverfield' the film is
shot using a handheld camera and gives the film a more realistic touch. Certain colours are
also associated with horror films, for example darker colours like red and black are common
conventions of horror films, this is shown in the poster for 'Paranormal Activity' where the
writing is red and the room the characters find themselves in is dark and gloomy.
4. Comedy
In most comedy films bright colours are used for example light blue is one of the more
common colours used throughout comedy films. Comedy films also have a range of different
characters which have different personalities to add a variety of different characters to the
film, for example comedy films may contain a socially awkward character (like the film 'Borat'
where the character does a range of controversial things). Another example of a character
would be a “idiot character”. These characters are commonly prone to accidents.
There are also different themes in Comedy films, for example there are “Slapstick” Comedy
films such as “Aeroplane”. A slapstick usually exaggerates the physical activity and exceeds
the normal boundary of physical activity. Another example of a theme used for Comedy films
would be a “gross-out” comedy which usually focuses on things that are disgusting to the
audience watching.
The items used are also another convention for Comedy films, for example a football or golf
club might be used as it has more comedic value in comparison with other items which may
not be as funny as these particular items. Comedy films will also commonly edit the original
sounds used when recording the film, for example most comedy films may put in a sound of
a character farting to add more comedic value to a particular scene.
5. Rom-Com
One convention of a Romantic Comedy film is the common “boy meets girl” scenario where
the boy falls in love with the girl and he will then chase her until her gets want he wants.
Another convention seen in Romantic Comedies is the fact that there are usually 2
protagonists which respectively are boy and girl, this is seen in the film “Knocked Up” where
the 2 main characters are male and female.
The setting is also important in Romantic Comedy films, usually the film is set around the
workplace that the 2 characters work in, being set in a urban environment allows the
audience to connect with some of the day to day events that may take place in the film. The
film producers will usually try and see where the most common place is for romantic
encounters before deciding where to set the film.
Another convention seen in some Rom-Coms is the fact that the film is usually seen through
the females perspective, however in the film “The 40-year-old Virgin” we see the perspective
through a male character which goes against this common convention.
6. Crime
There are a range of different conventions that are actually used for Crime films. For example
the most common convention is the use of illegal substances such as; drugs which is usually
what the main plot of the film revolves around. Furthermore many different weapons are used
during Crime films which include; guns and knives.
One of the main characters will reveal that he had a hard childhood and upbringing which led
to his criminal lifestyle, this helps create sympathy for one of the main characters in the film.
Crime films also try to be as realistic as possible, for example they usually portray the main
characters in the film as people who have very little money and struggle to deal with day to
day life. Most of the characters in Crime films will rude and outspoken which is particuarly
seen in films like “Kidulthood” where the main characters are both rude and outspoken
therefore going with this common convention.
Overall most of the Crime films revolve around the tough lives of people living in urban areas
and usually end with them sorting their lives out or being arrested.
7. Crime
There are a range of different conventions that are actually used for Crime films. For example
the most common convention is the use of illegal substances such as; drugs which is usually
what the main plot of the film revolves around. Furthermore many different weapons are used
during Crime films which include; guns and knives.
One of the main characters will reveal that he had a hard childhood and upbringing which led
to his criminal lifestyle, this helps create sympathy for one of the main characters in the film.
Crime films also try to be as realistic as possible, for example they usually portray the main
characters in the film as people who have very little money and struggle to deal with day to
day life. Most of the characters in Crime films will rude and outspoken which is particuarly
seen in films like “Kidulthood” where the main characters are both rude and outspoken
therefore going with this common convention.
Overall most of the Crime films revolve around the tough lives of people living in urban areas
and usually end with them sorting their lives out or being arrested.
