Film-Making and Genres - Essay Example

Genre…1 Film Making and Genres Order No. 358365 No. of pages: 7 Writer: 653 Introduction Genre is the categorization or grouping of things, incidents, thoughts and ideas that are more or less the same. Genre occupies an important place in film – making and is used to categorize different themes into separate compartments and give it an identity of its own. Tim O'Sullivan, et. al,1 regards ‘genre’ as a formal, received system of stable definitions, as "the recognized paradigmatic sets into which the whole output of a given medium ... is classified." Genre serves to segregate various themes and group them together, so they become more easily recognizable and more clearly understood. Some of the common genres constitute Westerns, Musicals, Horror, Science fiction, Family drama, Thrillers, Comedies etc. Genre…2 Generic terms are used by filmmakers as well as audiences around the world in order to help them differentiate between the various themes and emphasize a particular category of film. Andrew Tudor2 (pg. 7) states that genre “is what we collectively believe it to be.” Andrew Tudor, (1986) Genre has a broader and deeper resonance in that they provide us with emotional landscapes that reflect our own cultural background and social circles.3 (Pg. 7) However, genres do not possess any clear-cut boundaries, because they tend to overlap each other because of subtle differences in their themes or treatment of the particular subject. Barry Langford,4 author of ‘Hollywood and Beyond’ gives us a deep insight as to the importance of genres. According to Langford, everyone needs to use the concept of genres in various ways and in varying degrees. In his opinion, filmmakers use the concept of genre to attract and retain a particular kind of audience and reduce the commercial risk.5 (Barry Langford, Chap.1, Pg.1) For History scholars, ‘genre’ serves to establish a family relationship between different cultures, mythological events and other economic, social and political contexts. Film scholars according to Langford, find that the concept of ‘genre’ not only has practical utility, but also is a sensible means of grouping films according Genre…3 to their background, making it much easier for film consumers and filmmakers to search for films which are to their requirement.6 (Barry Langford, Pg.1) During the Classical period of filmmaking, the concept of star, studio and genre was complex. Sklar, (1992, 74 – 106) argues7 that it was better to use actors who could do a particular role, than to hire performers just to cater to the predetermined generic needs of the film. Langford states that the greater the star, the more scope for diversification of roles.8 (Pg. 3) A good sample of this is James Cagney9 who played the typical gangster (The Public Enemy) in so many movies, but later played roles in musicals (Footlight Parade, 1934) Shakespeare (A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1935) and other different roles. According to him, the personae of a star could be transformed over time. He tells us that most of the films fall into certain standard categories but not all of them. Some films experience overlapping due to the cross – generic culture especially today. These categories are not stable as they shift between different genres. Comedy Comedies are of various kinds and cannot be placed as a single, coherent genre because they overlap each other. For example, in comedy we could have a Genre…4 combination of two genres such as slap- stick comedy, Comedy – adventure, comedy and romance, musical comedy, family comedy and the like. Such combinations are also known as generic – hyphenates. The way in which filmmakers combine the interplay between two or more genres is what lends the uniqueness to a film. In a study by author Leo Handel investigating the generic preferences of story types by different audiences, he was not very satisfied with the answers he got because of the overlapping of different genres. He noted that “it is the story, rather than the type of story that determines an audience’s interest.” (Leo A. Handel, 1950)10 An apt tribute to the screen of comedy is Billy Wilder’s panoramic film “Some Like it Hot’. (1959) It is rather uncanny to even consider the theme of murder in a comedy because most audiences are of the opinion that comedies are only meant for the lighter side of life. However, Wilder’s “Some Like it Hot”11 (Max S. Scheinin, 2001) is considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time and is widely appreciated for its portrayal of mistaken identities and double entendres. Though the film has scenes that are sexually blatant, especially the seduction scene that takes place in a yacht yet, the film is filled with such good comedy that makes it unforgettable. Genre…5 ‘Some like it Hot’ is an intelligent amalgamation of many elements put together for wholesome entertainment. The highlights of the film were the quasi – screwball comedy that was outrageous in its treatment of farce, filled with romance and at the same time it was a hilarious spoof of gangster films during the period of 1920’s – 30’s. Some of the major themes in the film are deceptive identities, disguise, sex, romance and masquerade. The other themes in this risqué comedy are murder, alcoholism, abuse and unemployment. “Some like it Hot” which is Marilyn Monroe’s12 second film, is considered to be one of the highest grossing comedies even today and is Wilder’s best comedy yet with catchy one liners such as those used in the comedies of Marx Brothers13 and Mack Sennett.14 This fantastic film was nominated for six Academy Awards and received an Oscar for best costume design by Orry – Kelly.15 Genre…6 Melodrama Melodrama is a genre in filmmaking that is exaggeratedly sentimental and filled with a lot of emotion. This sort of drama rests heavily on romantic sentiment and is packed with stressful situations that are agonizing to its audience. Melodrama has a very theatrical appeal because all its scenes are heightened with emotions and sentiments that get the audience to identify with it. Melodrama makes use of music to exaggerate the situation and kindles response from an audience point of view. The conflict created for melodrama is simplistic in style but direct in delivery and filled with a lot of excitement by an unnatural portrayal of its stereotypical characters. Detective thrillers and horror fall within this genre. The Merriam Webster’s Dictionary define ‘melodrama’ as “a work (movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization.” (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, 2009)16 The last few decades have dragged down melodrama from the high pedestal it once enjoyed. Melodramatic movies flourished during the period of the fifties when such themes as romance intermingled with the agony and suffering was credited with great value. Genre…7 “Far from Heaven” was looked upon as a tribute towards Classic melodramatic films and was a sincere attempt at raising it up to greater heights from its lowly position. Todd Haynes17 did his best to restore honor to this genre by directing “Far From Heaven” with the skill of a creative craftsman. The central theme of the film is a family drama that revolves around Cathy, the ‘perfect housewife’ who resides in a suburban neighborhood that is quite fashion conscious. Cathy’s family consists of her children and husband named Frank, who was an upcoming executive of a company. Director Haynes skillfully steers the film into a mid –century drama with its characters leading a lifestyle that was middle class. Cathy’s marriage goes on the rocks after a while and her whole world falls apart when she is left isolated. She looks for sympathy towards Raymond Deagan, the person who helps to tend her yard. Their friendship which is innocent is misconstrued and looked upon with scorn by her friends and associates and this makes her miserable and unhappy. Primary themes underpinned in “Far From Heaven” are love, passion, hate, good against evil, stormy emotion, sadness and isolation mingled with tender regard and hope for humanity, masked with a sour parody. (Margaret A. McGurk, 2002)18 Genre…8 Another very important element that goes to support the genre of a film is its iconography or its system of visual motifs that constantly recur throughout the film spreading the familiarity of its characters, settings, action, costumes, imagery or ideas. The iconography is different for films belonging to different genres. A film’s iconographic approach not only provides the viewer with a lot of information but also helps them understand what to expect from a certain genre of film. Thomas Elsaesser19 (Pg. 271) states that ‘Recurring situations and the familiarity of objects, repeatedly confirms the kind of movie we are viewing and serves to reinforce our expectations of the movie’s development.’ Conclusion Genres though useful in many ways, especially by serving to bring a sort of order into filmmaking, are considered to be a sort of hindrance by some people. According to them, segregating different films according to their genres tends to curb the creative process, because it places a boundary within which the film has to be worked out. Andrew Tudor20 says that it is basically ‘the survival of the fittest.’ Films that have gone on to become major hits at the box –office have succeeded because it was based on a tried and tested formula. Tudor also states that Genre…9 ‘financially successful films encourage further variations of the same thing, but most turn out to be unsuccessful repetitions.’ Nevertheless, in the broader picture of filmmaking, I feel that genre plays a major role and tends to segregate different films into their own categories, thus bringing about a certain order in archiving films of a large variety. Placing films into the proper genres also helps to save a lot of time and energy which otherwise would be spent on searching through when the need arose. References Andrew Tudor, “Genre” in Barry Keith Grant ed., Film Genre Reader (Austin University of Texas Press, 1986, pg. 7 Andrew Tudor, Monsters and Mad Scientists. Pg. 23 Barry Langford, (2005) Film Genre: Hollywood and Beyond. Edinburgh University Press Ltd. Edinbugh. www.amazon.com/...Hollywood-Barry-Langford/ Film For the Soul/ The Year 2002/ Todd Haynes www.filmforthesoul.blogspot.com/ Leo A. Handel, Hollywood Looks that its Audience: A Report of Film Audience Research, Urbana : University of Illinois Press. (1950) Pp. 119 – 120 Margaret A. McGurk, (2002) Classic Melodrama Returns with ‘Far from Heaven.’ The Clinical Enquirer, (Retrieved on Nov. 22nd 2002) www.cincinnati.com/.../11222002_wk22farfromheaven.html Mack Sennett www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mack_Sennett Marx Brothers www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marx_Brothers Max S. Schein (Book Review) Billy Wilder’s ‘Some Like it Hot’, published by Taschen, (2001) Pgs. 384 Melodrama. (2009). In Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Retrieved October 10, 2009, from - http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/melodrama Thomas Elsaesser, (1981) Popular Television and Film, London: British Film Institute, pg. 271 Tim Dirks, ‘Some Like It Hot’ (1959) Movie Review www.filmsite.org/some.html Warren, Doug; Cagney, James (1986). Cagney: The Authorized Biography (Mass Market ed.). New York: St. Martin’s Press. Read More

Some films experience overlapping due to the cross – generic culture especially today. These categories are not stable as they shift between different genres. Comedy Comedies are of various kinds and cannot be placed as a single, coherent genre because they overlap each other. For example, in comedy we could have a Genre…4 combination of two genres such as slap- stick comedy, Comedy – adventure, comedy and romance, musical comedy, family comedy and the like. Such combinations are also known as generic – hyphenates.

The way in which filmmakers combine the interplay between two or more genres is what lends the uniqueness to a film. In a study by author Leo Handel investigating the generic preferences of story types by different audiences, he was not very satisfied with the answers he got because of the overlapping of different genres. He noted that “it is the story, rather than the type of story that determines an audience’s interest.” (Leo A. Handel, 1950)10 An apt tribute to the screen of comedy is Billy Wilder’s panoramic film “Some Like it Hot’. (1959) It is rather uncanny to even consider the theme of murder in a comedy because most audiences are of the opinion that comedies are only meant for the lighter side of life.

However, Wilder’s “Some Like it Hot”11 (Max S. Scheinin, 2001) is considered to be one of the greatest comedies of all time and is widely appreciated for its portrayal of mistaken identities and double entendres. Though the film has scenes that are sexually blatant, especially the seduction scene that takes place in a yacht yet, the film is filled with such good comedy that makes it unforgettable. Genre…5 ‘Some like it Hot’ is an intelligent amalgamation of many elements put together for wholesome entertainment.

The highlights of the film were the quasi – screwball comedy that was outrageous in its treatment of farce, filled with romance and at the same time it was a hilarious spoof of gangster films during the period of 1920’s – 30’s. Some of the major themes in the film are deceptive identities, disguise, sex, romance and masquerade. The other themes in this risqué comedy are murder, alcoholism, abuse and unemployment. “Some like it Hot” which is Marilyn Monroe’s12 second film, is considered to be one of the highest grossing comedies even today and is Wilder’s best comedy yet with catchy one liners such as those used in the comedies of Marx Brothers13 and Mack Sennett.

14 This fantastic film was nominated for six Academy Awards and received an Oscar for best costume design by Orry – Kelly.15 Genre…6 Melodrama Melodrama is a genre in filmmaking that is exaggeratedly sentimental and filled with a lot of emotion. This sort of drama rests heavily on romantic sentiment and is packed with stressful situations that are agonizing to its audience. Melodrama has a very theatrical appeal because all its scenes are heightened with emotions and sentiments that get the audience to identify with it.

Melodrama makes use of music to exaggerate the situation and kindles response from an audience point of view. The conflict created for melodrama is simplistic in style but direct in delivery and filled with a lot of excitement by an unnatural portrayal of its stereotypical characters. Detective thrillers and horror fall within this genre. The Merriam Webster’s Dictionary define ‘melodrama’ as “a work (movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization.

” (Merriam Webster’s Dictionary, 2009)16 The last few decades have dragged down melodrama from the high pedestal it once enjoyed. Melodramatic movies flourished during the period of the fifties when such themes as romance intermingled with the agony and suffering was credited with great value. Genre…7 “Far from Heaven” was looked upon as a tribute towards Classic melodramatic films and was a sincere attempt at raising it up to greater heights from its lowly position.

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