A2 MEDIA STUDIES

Genre Analysis

Ana, Raissa, Maheni.

CHOSEN GENRES

THRILLER

A thriller provides the sudden rush of

emotions, excitement, sense of

suspense and exhilaration that drive

the narrative, sometimes subtly with

peaks and lulls, sometimes at a

constant, breakneck pace thrills.

FANTASY

Imagining the impossible or the

improbable, using magic and other

supernatural things as a primary

plot.

THRILLER CONVENTIONSThriller is a genre of literature, film and television that uses suspense, tension and excitement

as the main elements

Characteristics:- Exotic locations (e.g. foreign lands, hidden

places, forests, woods.- Fast paced: constantly moving/running etc.- Hero/Heroine & Villain/s: in this case Hansel

and Gretel- False ending: where the villain thinks they

have won- Theatre of the mind: Where the audience can

decide what has happened where something hasn’t been shown

Psychological Thriller: Heavy focus on the unstable emotional states of characters, in combination with mystery and thriller (e.g. Psycho and Funny Games)Spy Thriller: the subject of fictional espionage, either in a realistic way or as a basis for fantasy (such as James Bond). Spy films show the espionage activities of government agents and their risk of being discovered by their enemies (e.g. Bourne Identity).Political Thriller: In which the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. Political thrillers can be based on true facts such as the assassination of John F Kennedy (e.g. JFK, directed by Oliver Stone)Horror Thriller: Horror films are unsettling movies that strive to elicit the emotions of fear, disgust and horror from viewers. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer, and the macabre and the supernatural are frequent themes (e.g. Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead)Supernatural Thriller: In which the film brings in an otherworldly element (such as fantasy and/or the supernatural) mixed with tension, suspense and plot twists. Sometimes the protagonist and/or villain has some psychic ability and superpowers (e.g. Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai, The X-Files)

THRILLER: SUB-GENRES

THRILLER: PRIMARY ELEMENTS (FROM

WIKIPEDIA)

• The protagonist(s) faces death, either their own or somebody else's. • The force(s) of antagonism must initially be cleverer and/or stronger

than the protagonist's. • The main storyline for the protagonist is either a quest or a character

who cannot be put down.• The main plotline focuses on a mystery that must be solved. • The film's narrative construction is dominated by the protagonist's point

of view. • All action and characters must be credibly realistic/natural in their

representation on screen.• The two major themes that underpin the thriller genre are the desire for

justice and the morality of individuals. • One small, but significant, aspect of a thriller is the presence of

innocence in what is seen as an essentially corrupt world. • The protagonist(s) and antagonist(s) may battle, themselves and each

other, not just on a physical level, but on a mental one as well. • Either by accident or their own curiousness, characters are dragged

into a dangerous conflict or situation that they are not prepared to resolve.

FANTASY CONVENTIONSFantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element

of plot, theme, and/or setting

Characteristics:- Contains elements that are not realistic

(e.g. talking animals, magical beings/powers)

- Often set in a medieval universe- Involves mythical beings

FANTASY: SUB-GENRESHistorical Fantasy: Would contain historical contextFantastique: Overlaps with science fiction, horror and fantasy.Races/Creatures: The use of creatures (e.g. Aliens, Hobbits, Fairies, Witches etc.)Worlds: A fictional universe. Typical worlds involve magic or magical abilities and often, but not always, either a medieval or futuristic theme.Magician: A magician, which may also be known in various regions as a magic-user, mage, magister, archmage, sorcerer/sorceress, witch, wizard, warlock, enchanter/enchantress, illusionist, diviner or conjurer.Religious Fantasy: These themes may be expressed directly, or through allegory and symbolism (e.g. In ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ by C.S. Lewis, Aslan the Lion, can be considered as a representation of Jesus. Aslan offers himself up as a sacrifice in place of the traitorous Edmund, and is mocked, tortured, executed and subsequently resurrected. Aslan himself blatantly alludes to his nature as an alternate Christ in the final scene of Voyage of the Dawn Treader, wherein he reveals to the protagonists Edmund, Lucy and Eustace that in their own world, he is known by "another name", and that they must learn to know him by that name.)

WHY DID WE CHOOSE THESE GENRES?

For our production these two genres (Thriller and Fantasy) would be

suited and in depth, the sub-genre ‘Fantastique’ and perhaps

‘Supernatural Thriller’. Our production consists of these genres, and it’s

shown initially by the fact that Hansel & Gretel in itself is a fantasy story.

It can then be said that the type of shots, which are fast paced and with

mostly the two main characters running and looking behind them to check

if anyone/anything it behind them gives the audience a thrill. They want to

know what’s happening, who’s there, and why they are there. The sense of

being unaware to your surroundings and being lost makes the production

seem related to the the two genres and it’s why they were both chosen.