Genre Research

Crime drama

Target audience

I believe that our target audience is aimed at teenagers and adults. People who have an interest in watching crime drama films would also be the audience for our film. Stereotypically, this film could be aimed at mainly the male gender but I feel that both genders can have the same interests. I think this film can apply to people of all backgrounds as it is entertainment which is available to everyone. Well known directors of crime drama genre films are another factor which could attract people to watch a particular movie. For example, Martin Scorsese is a very well know director for creating films in the genres of gangster, crime and drama and thrillers. If a newly released film is directed by him, it will attract the director’s fans to watch this movie. Also the actors play an important part in attracting the public to come and watch this particular movie. For example, Robert De Niro stars in the film “Goodfellas” which would attract his fans to watch this movie.

Codes and conventions:

Crime and drama genre films have serious narratives and often involve crime, the law and death. The characters this genre involves are criminals, police/C.I.D, teenagers, minorities, detectives etc. The setting of this genre is usually set in small towns, or large cities. The cinematography may be shown through low key lighting to suggest the “dark” side of reality of the serious crime situations. The make up and costume would be associated to the characters. For example, a teenage gangster would wear a hoody, low batty jeans and probably some jewellery as well. The dialogue would also be quite harsh, like street slang. This is because the dialogue would make it more realistic to the setting and the gangster character. The opening sequences to crime drama movies are also quite serious and full of suspense. This keeps the audience engaged and curious to know what will happen next.

Key directors and actors:

American Gangster - Ridley Scott - starring Denzel Washington and Russell Crowe

Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese – starring Robert De Niro , Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci

Scarface – Brian De Palma - Al Pacino, Steven Bauer, Michelle Pfeiffer

Analysis of Opening Sequences in the genre of Crime and drama:

Goodfellas

Personally the opening of Goodfellas is quite shocking. Creating a shock in the beginning of a film is an excellent way to start off as it keeps the audience engaged and this way the audience do not know what to expect. The opening establishes key generic codes and conventions such as dialogue, props and costume. For example, the dialogue used is American slang and has a certain dialect which shows what part of America they are from. It may suggest these people are from a small part of America with a high gang and crime rate. This also adds to their “gangster” characters and as gangsters are shown committing a murder in the opening, the genre is established that it is of gangster crime genre. The props used such as the gun used to kill the person in the boot of the car also suggests this and the way the gangster’s costume looks quite smart as gangsters would. All these codes and conventions link back to the genre of the movie which meet my expectations of a typical opening sequence from this genre. It is important to show this as the audience have an idea of what to expect to see.

The clues the opening gives about the narrative are things such as the main character’s personality. We see that the main character is the taxi driver and later on is shown as a gangster after his dialogue that suggests being involved with a gang. There is mostly diegetic sound used in the credits and opening scene, but towards the end of the opening a soundtrack is played and the title is introduced. This reflects the genre in an effective way as the soundtrack took the seriousness away from the incident which shows the audience that this is how light-heartedly gangsters take murders and robberies. The title is used at the end of the opening with the same transitions as the credits but in red letters. This reflects the genre as the colour red can be associated with blood shed which is shown in the beginning of the film.

Casino: Martin Scorsese

The opening sequence establishes the key generic codes and conventions by:

Camera:

• Starts off with the production company “Universal” title.
• Credits introduced in white letters and black background. This could suggest the serious theme of the genre (crime drama)
• Information is given such as the year it is set in which was 1983.
• Advanced technology has been used and by this we can tell this is a mainstream film.

Sound:

• Credits are introduced with no sound. Keeps the audience watching as they are curious to know why it is so quiet and there is no sound.
• Then later we hear diegetic sound of the man walking out of a building.
• The character we see is narrating his story. The dialogue he uses suggests that this film is about betrayal as he mentions trust being broken by someone dear to you.
• As soon as the car explodes a non – diegetic soundtrack is used to add to effect of the explosion. For example, the soundtrack, which is opera music, suits the scene as the music is just as dramatic as what we are seeing on screen. This reflects this genre as we know as an audience to expect dramatic tension and suspense in a film of the crime and drama genre.

Editing:

• We see a long shot of the main character coming out of a building. When he sits in his car and there is a blast, it shocks the audience. This creates an enigmatic feel to the audience and they would be interested to watch more.
• Animation of different lights is shown in the background as the main character’s body is flying across the frame.
• Credits continue mentioning all the characters while introducing the main character, “Rob De Niro” first, after the director Martin Scorsese. The title is introduced in front of a red and orange background showing lights which could represent a Casino. The title is introduced slowly across the frame which suits the seriousness of the incident that has just happened and also links to the genre of crime and drama. This is because you wouldn’t expect to see a large bubbly title for a serious genre like this film.
• Scene is shown in one camera movement – tracking shot. For example, the scene starts as a tracking shot from when the character walks out of the building and to his car.

Mise – en – scene:

• Set in a rich hotel - as we see the setting of the hotel.
• The character looks wealthy as he is in smart attire and owns a car.
• His wealth also can relate to how rich gangsters are, which reflects the genre of crime and drama and follows typical features of characters from this genre.

The effect the explosion had on the audience is very shocking. I have not seen “Casino” and from the audience’s point of view watching this film for the first time is very impressive. This is because the explosion is very unpredictable and shock has been used again to create an enigmatic feel for the audience. This sequence meets my expectations of a typical opening of a crime and drama film as all of the codes and conventions relate to this genre. For example, in a film of this genre you would expect to see some kind of shocking incident occurring as that is what the film is usually based on. Clues I have gathered about the narrative (from the dialogue spoken by the narrator) is that this film may be about betrayal as he mentions his trust being broken by someone dear to him.

Scarface - Brian De Palma

The opening sequence establishes the key generic codes and conventions by:

Camera:

• Starts off with the production company “Universal” title.
• Information about a historical event is given which could be useful to know before watching the film.
• Many establishing shots are used for example to show the docks, people and the ships.
• Close up of Al Pacino to show that he is the main character and the main focus is on him. This is because he is the main face we see in the frame.

Sound:

• Non – diegetic soundtrack is played while information is shown which brings a very serious mood to the first thing the audience can see.
• Then we here diegetic sound from the actual video footage from the historical event. This gives the film a historical mood.
• After that the sound changes to a soundtrack which diegetic music playing. For example, while the soundtrack is playing we also hear the helicopter. This does not reflect the genre of a crime and drama film.
• Soundtrack fades out as Al Pacino is introduced as the main character.

Editing:

• Producer is introduced after the footage is shown.
• Credits are shown in between the historical footage that we see. For example we see Al Pacino introduced the film title and the rest of the cast.
• The title is shown in the middle of the opening. There is not much focus on the title as the title and credits go back and forth to the footage.

Mise-en-scene:

• South American people from all class being shipped to a new country.
• Adults, elderly, young teenagers, children, families are all shown ready to start a new life.
• We see the American flag which shows that these people are immigrating to America.
• Al Pacino is introduced as an immigrant and police are asking him questions regarding his arrival to America.

This opening sequence does not really establish the key generic codes and conventions to a crime and drama genre. This is because the atmosphere and mood shown in the beginning seems quite exciting, busy and mainly focused on the historical content. In a typical film from this genre you would not expect that. But after the opening we see Al Pacino being questioned by the police, regarding his stay in America. This is what you would expect to see in a crime and drama film as the law is playing a part in the movie as well. I think that the clues given about the narrative may be that Al Pacino will start a life of crime in America as he is new to the country and may be desperate for money. This is because for example ; the way he introduced himself in the opening, his body language shows he is quite cocky willing to take risks. As he is the main character, he may not look like a criminal in the beginning but his personality gives it away that he may be a potential criminal in the future. Once again we see this through his body language and the way he speaks. I think this opening was not typical of the crime and drama genre; however Brian de Palma has created quite an enigmatic feel to the audience. This is because it makes them wonder why historical footage has been shown in such detail. Brian de Palma has done this so the audience is prepared for certain events and incidents in the rest of the film, which must relate back to the historical content. It is done for the audience’s knowledge. On the other hand, personally I don’t find the opening of this film interesting until Al Pacino is introduced because I feel the historical footage is shown in too much detail.

Planning - Opening sequence ideas from song lyrics

1. Paper Planes – M.I.A

Gangsters committing robberies, dealing drugs, and earning money, but later one of them discover one of their gang members is an undercover member of the FBI. Opening ends with someone discovering the badge.

Genre: Crime and Drama

Gangsters committing robberies, dealing drugs, and earning money, but later one of them discover one of their gang members is an undercover member of the C.I.D. Opening ends with someone discovering the badge.

Main character: C.I.D Agent

This narrative relates to the crime and drama genre as it has many elements of criminal behaviour in it. Having gangs and the law involved are codes and conventions of a typical crime and drama movie. This also links to the lyrics as it is mainly about drug dealing and crime.

All I wanna do is (BANG BANG BANG BANG!)

And (KKKAAAA CHING!)

And take your money

Pirate skulls and bones
Sticks and stones and weed and bongs
Running when we hit 'em
Lethal poison through their system

Some I some I murder
Some I some I let go

2. Billie jean – Michael Jackson

Comical scenes of a guy being chased by a girl for her son. Scene ends when she realises that her father’s son is actually someone else’s.

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Comical scenes of a guy being chased by a girl for her son. Scene ends when she realises that her father’s son is actually someone else’s.

Main Character: The young mother

This narrative relates to the romantic comedy genre because it is about the search for this woman’s lost father, which is related to lost love. The comical side to this movie would be how she is mistaken most of the time but doesn’t realise that the father of her baby is actually someone she has known for a long time. This relates to the lyrics as the line “Billie Jean is not my lover” can be interpreted as a guy saying it to the lady, as she feels that he may be her child’s father.

Billie Jean is not my lover

She's just a girl who claims that I am the one
But the kid is not my son
She says I am the one, but the kid is not my son

3. Chillin – Wale ft Lady Gaga

Someone just moved to a new country and finding hard to fit in/ two different lives. Culture clash is shown.

Genre: Teen Comedy

Someone just moved to a new country and finding hard to fit in/ two different lives. Culture clash is shown.

Main character: Teenage boy/girl from a foreign country

This narrative relates to the teen comedy genre as the lyrics talk about how someone is feeling incongruous to their setting. The antagonists for the main character could be racist bullies or just the feeling of not being able to relate and be part of social groups in school/college. It would be related to teenage life and the comical side to it would be the focus.

Lookin at, lookin at, lookin at me
Look at that, look how they lookin at me
Eyes all sticky like honey on bees
Look at that, look how they lookin at me

4. Beggin – Madcon

Boy chasing a girl he sees. They see each other on a bus/ street before. Then later they are at a restaurant and she gets scared as she thinks he is a stalker, and runs out taking a random umbrella from the side. He then chases her and then she runs into an alley way. He gets to her and she jumps. He wants his umbrella and then she feels guilty for misunderstanding him.

Genre: Romatic Comedy

Boy chasing a girl he sees. They see each other on a bus/ street before. Then later they are at a restaurant and she gets scared as she thinks he is a stalker, and runs out taking a random umbrella from the side. He then chases her and then she runs into an alley way. He gets to her and she jumps. He wants his umbrella and then she feels guilty for misunderstanding him.

Main Character: The man who chases the girl

This narrative relates to a romantic comedy genre as it shows the comical side to romance. The lyrics of this song “Put your loving hand out baby” could suggest the main character having secret feelings for this lady but may not be fully aware of it. This could raise many comical issues and therefore this genre would be a Romantic comedy.

Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out baby
Beggin, beggin you
Put your loving hand out darlin

5. Digital girl – Jamie Foxx ft. Drake, The Dream and Kanye West

Two people meet over the net, don’t know what they look like and then meet coincidently and discover many uncanny things about each other. Scene ends when they exchange each others email address.

Genre: Love and Romance

Two people meet over the net, don’t know what they look like and then meet coincidently and discover many uncanny things about each other. Scene ends when they exchange each others email address.

Main character: Both the boy and the girl

For this film idea, I think this could be a dual narrative. This is because I think the main characters should be both the boy and the girl as the audience can see both sides of the story. They could both be narrating as they write about each event of their meetings in their diaries. This film would just be a romance as love would be the main focus in the film. The lyrics relate to this narrative as the line “So I pray that we never lose the connection” can suggest the two characters falling deep in love. Love is necessary as the code and convention from a romantic genre.

I just hit Alt....Tab
Switchin' in-between two convos
I should just call cabs
And bring em both here to the condo (Yeah)
Normally, it ain't a question
We would cross paths like an intersection
But she just too far away for affection
So I pray that we never lose the connection

6. Run this town – Rihanna ft Jay Z

Leaders loosing power of their town, town is in chaos and many gangs and crime is shown. Leader is then murdered and we don’t know by whom.

Genre: Crime and drama

Leaders loosing power of their town, town is in chaos and many gangs and crime is shown. Leader is then murdered and we don’t know by whom.

Main character: Leader’s assistant head

This narrative is also related to the crime and drama genre as politics and crime is the major issue. These are typical codes and conventions of a crime and drama film. Also, the lyrics, “only thing that’s on my mind is who’s gon run this town tonight” link to the politics side of how the town is out of control as too many crimes have been committed than usual.

So i keep doing my own thing,

walking tall against the rain,
victory’s within the mile,
almost there don’t give up now,
only thing thats on my mind is who’s gon run this town tonight,
heeeeey, heeeey, heeeey
who’s gon run this town tonite,

7. Wonder woman – Trey Songz

Superwoman living two lives, someone has an eye on her and discovers who she is; opening ends with the person finding out.

Genre: Action

Superwoman living two lives, someone has an eye on her and discovers who she is; opening ends with the person finding out.

Main character: Lady with super powers

This narrative is related to an action genre as supernatural ability is shown. The lyrics “With a back like that you fly like jets are you my wonder woman” show the idea of the supernatural powers. These are codes and conventions of an action film as many elements are stunts and special effects.

"The way you talkin girl you seem so invinceable
Its more than sexy girl the way that you take control
I wonder woman are you my kinda woman
With a back like that you fly like jets are you my wonder woman (are you)
Are you my wonder woman (are you)"

8. Live your life – Rihanna ft T.I

A young person running from a robbery. Parents chuck him out of the house. Then he sees a newspaper add for a film audition. But then a gang recognises him and he is on the run again.

Genre: Crime and drama

A young person running from a robbery. Parents chuck him out of the house. Then he sees a newspaper add for a film audition. But then a gang recognises him and he is on the run again.

Main character: Teenage boy

This narrative is related to the crime and drama genre as crime is a major issue. This is part of the codes and conventions of a crime and drama genre film as we see people breaking the law. The lyrics “Your steady chasing that paper” suggest how the main character will be in a struggle for money as it is referred to “paper”.

You’re gonna be a shining star, in fancy clothes, and fancy car-ars.
And then you’ll see, you’re gonna go far,
Cause everyone knows, just who you are-are.
So live your life, ay ay ay.
Your steady chasing that paper



Overall, our main idea as a group was to combine the two songs lyric ideas of "Paper Planes" and "Chillin".

Film Review - Badlands

Personally, in my opinion I think “Badlands” was not interesting to watch at all. First of all, the story line was not exciting at all. Also the opening of this film was just the main character (the girl) narrating her past, and throughout the whole movie she narrates. I think that this ruined the surprises that were yet to come as she tells the audience and then we see it happen. This film took the idea from “Bonnie and Clyde” that is also about a man and a woman who commit a series of crimes. We also watched the opening scene of that film, and to be honest “Bonnie and Clyde” seems a lot more interesting as it grabbed the audience’s attention. The audience were not confused at any point during “Badlands” and the film had no suspense. Also the acting was very poor and they did not seem really realistic, especially the girl. This loses the audience’s attention and therefore makes a film unsuccessful. There were some shocking scenes but they were not effective because they didn’t seem realistic at all. The ending of “Badlands” was also quite pointless, as the girl just narrated the ending of the film too, and she didn’t show any emotion in the film.

Analysis of Film openings

Memoirs of a Geisha – Rob Marshall (mainstream)

Target Audience:

• Quite a predictable opening – for example when the sisters were kidnapped, as the audience we could tell where the story would lead to.
• Bad weather and dark setting attracts the audience’s attention, for example, the audience would want to know what is happening in such a mysterious place. It gives an enigmatic feel to the audience.

Shots/Storyline/Dialogue/Sound:

• Japanese dialogue without subtitles confuses audience which keeps the audience watching
• Sound of thunder ( diegetic sound) attracts audience’s attention
• Low key lighting on antagonists
• Storyline about two sisters sold off by family to live in a Geisha house in Japan.
• Establishing shot used for example to show the sea and where the family lives.
• Close ups used to show facial expressions

Characters/Setting:

• Innocent victims – sisters
• Sad opening
• Dark setting- low lighting- night time

Water – Deepak Metha (independent)

Target audience:

• Started with information about the village.
• Very quiet opening – no sound
• Starts off happy, ends sad

Shots/Storyline/Dialogue/Sound:

· Starts off with non- diegetic music- sitar

· Diegetic sound used – cart

· Sad dialogue- mother dies

· Story prediction: about a girl who grows up in a village

· Establishment shot to show the village

Characters/Setting:

• Mischievous girl- innocent
• Set in an Indian Village
• Peaceful setting – nice environment

White Chicks – Keenan Ivory Wayans

Genre- comedy

Camera:

· Necessary to have the production companies names in the opening

· Very effective because soundtrack keeps you watching and has a fast beat

· It is mainstream because the title and camera shots used are very advanced. For example, the high angle shot of the city.

· Establishment shot of city and stores.

Sound:

· Non- diegetic music and diegetic sound, for example soundtrack is non diegetic and the sound of cars is diegetic

· Comical dialogue keeps you watching

· Soundtrack is effective as it suits the environment shown.

· Some comical soundtrack used in the fighting scene which takes the seriousness away. Very light hearted salsa music used.

Editing:

· Shots speed up during the fighting scene which makes it more interesting to watch

· Still shot reverse shots are used in conversation- medium pace.

Mise-en-scene:

· Unusual/comical

· Set in a small gangster town in America - Large Spanish community.

· Unusual costume made to look funny attracts audience’s attention

· Hair and make up is realistic to characters

· Main characters are the Wayans Brothers.

Pan’s Labyrinth – Guillermo Del Toro

Camera:

· Starts off with information about the story

· Advanced animation movie

· Released by a company called Optimum

· Spanish film

· Effective because it has a serious opening – keeps audience engaged

· Mainstream because of high technology (animation) and more money has been spent on it – more marketing

Sound:

• Spanish dialogue – narrator – speaking as in someone is telling a fairy tale
• Diegetic sound of car
• Non – diegetic sound used as a soundtrack

Editing:

• Different transitions on some shots – girl dying, camera angle twists
• Animation of fantasy world added in

Mise-en-scene:

• Low key lighting
• Character introduced straight away
• We see the girl dying in first shot – blood makes it realistic and effective
• We see fantasy world then real world

What differences are there between an Independent film opening and a Mainstream film opening?

Crash – Paul Haggis (mainstream)

Genre- Thriller

Opening:

• Credits
• Serious non – diegetic music
• Images of moving lights (cars) in a dark environment
• Character narrates
• Dialogue and facial expressions add to serious mood which engages audience
• Credits carry on after every shot transition
• We hear characters speech and then fades onto the characters which add a mysterious effect
• Close up shot used to sow facial expressions and OTTS shown in conversation
• Outdoor/night/artificial high key lighting used on characters
• Dialogue is mysterious and confusing to audience
• Accident and a crime scene
• Film title is introduced last on the right side of the screen in small blue letters.
• From dialogue we can tell this film is about racism

Little Miss Sunshine – Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris (independent)

Genre- Comedy

Opening:

• Starts off with non diegetic music and a blank screen – engages audience
• Close up of a girl watching TV – diegetic sound of the TV (soundtrack continues)
• The opening shows each character in the family’s life in some way and tells us about their personalities. For example, the shots of the girl watching TV is watching Miss America which is her dream as she mimics the reactions on TV.
• No credits are introduced in the beginning
• Sound track is used all the way through the opening.
• Predicted storyline: there is going to be a change in each characters life later in the film.

Similarities:

· Both movies start off with a soundtrack

· Title introduced towards the end of the opening

· Both have engaging openings, for example in Crash we want to know what the character is talking about, where as in Little Miss Sunshine we want to know what the girl is watching.

Differences:

· Credits are shown in the opening of Crash

· More transitions used between shots in Crash

· Little Miss Sunshine doesn’t use any special effects

· Crash is a serious genre than Little Miss Sunshine which is comedy

What differences are there between an Independent film opening and a Mainstream film opening?

There are many differences between an Independent film opening and a Mainstream film opening. This is because many mainstream films have a high budget to spend on their production where as Independent films have a low budget. For example, in a mainstream film opening, there could be many special effects added in which can engage the audience. Where as in an Independent film opening, the opening may not have such a dramatic feel as in a mainstream film. For example, in the opening of “Crash”, the character narrating left the audience confused about what has happened and what will happen next. This is because what the character's dialogue was quite confusing for the audience to understand straight away. This is what the audience need to feel in order to make the film a success. But in “Little Miss Sunshine” the opening did attract the audience’s attention as we saw a close up the girl’s eyes in the first shot. As the audience it makes us curious to know what she is watching and why she finds it so interesting. Although this did not have a great dramatic feel, it still engaged the audience in its different way.

Institutions of large production companies also help in the marketing of films. With mainstream films, as they have a high budget they can distribute the film to many companies and make it international. Where as Independent films don’t really have that advantage and are known only nation wide. However, some independent movies can become mainstream such as “Slumdog Millionaire” by Danny Boyle. Although this movie also had a low budget and advanced technology wasn’t used, the intuitions that came across this film promoted it to a larger market. This is how this film became a huge success, especially with the public. Production companies that usually back mainstream films are 20^th Century Fox and Columbia. Monogram and Republic support Independent films.

Cinematography also has an important role when making films, as people judge the overall look of a film. For example, in the mainstream film “Pans Labyrinth” it uses animation to show a fantasy world, which shows that a lot of money has been spent on it. Where as in “Little Miss Sunshine” there are no special effects and it is a very simple movie as advanced technology has not been used. Therefore mainstream films are always more advanced in their cinematography, budget and institutions than independent films.