Chosen Genre

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

I CHOSE…

Over the weekend, I came to a conclusion of which genre I want to work with. I had three genre choices to choose from which consisted of science fiction, drama and horror. It wasn't too difficult for me to choose, but while I was researching opening films of these specific genres, there were SO many great examples. 

As I said, my first idea was a film about science fiction. This type of genre offers boundless opportunities for creativity and exploration. A few examples of the science fiction genre include ET, Avatar, and the Avengers franchise. Science fiction, at first, seemed like a great take, but I then discovered the MANY different technological advancements necessary. Things  including advanced special effects, elaborate set designs, and skilled personnel, which can exceed my current budget and capabilities. Additionally, the genre often demands intricate storytelling to effectively convey complex scientific concepts, potentially posing challenges for a novice (me) filmmaker in terms of scriptwriting and directing. Moreover, entering a saturated market dominated by established franchises and high-budget productions would make it difficult for my film to stand out and attract attention, especially without the backing of a major studio... considering these factors, I opted out, which leads me to my next, more manageable genre.

Link to photo: Schedeen, J. (2023, March 10). 15 science fiction movies nominated for the best picture oscar. IGN. https://www.ign.com/articles/sci-fi-movies-nominated-best-picture-oscar-dune-star-wars-avatar

My next idea was a film about drama. This was quite the opposite of sci-fi, but it peaked my interest more. This genre covers a wide range of topics, but typical ones include personal relationships, family dynamics, coming-of-age stories, social issues, and emotional struggles. Some film examples of this genre include Titanic, Happening, Whiplash, and A Star is Born. Drama sounded like a really interesting and compelling topic as it would let me explore various shots and create a complete story of my own. However, crafting a captivating drama requires a strong focus on character development and interpersonal relationships, which can be challenging to get the perfect 'actors'. Also, dramas often rely heavily on dialogue and performances to convey complex emotions and themes, placing high demands on actors and necessitating skilled direction to ensure authenticity and resonance, which I don't think I have such great performed friends or family who can play that role well. Although I was very close to choosing this genre, I took this idea off my list too. 

Link to photo: Hanson, Sophie. (n.d.). Top 70 drama movies of All Time - Best Drama Movies. https://www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/film-tv/g39853184/best-drama-movies/

The final genre I researched was horror (THE ONE I'VE CHOSEN!). A horror film is typically characterized by elements like suspense, fear, and a sense of dread. This genre offers a wide array of storytelling possibilities that can captivate my audience through several emotions, not letting them be able to predict what happens next (that is my goal). Horror films often explore themes such as the unknown, the supernatural, human psychology, and societal fears. Some notable films like The Exorcist, Scream, Psycho, and Jaws demonstrate the genre's ability to engage viewers on both psychological and visceral levels, creating lasting impressions. I am choosing this for my portfolio project because I can create a realistic, engaging story that people of any age can relate to and I already have ideas for my film which can easily take place in mine or a friends house. Not much high-task special effects are needed throughout whole film, just here and there. Needing to buy or find necessary objects to place in frame won't be difficult, since the approach I plan on taking, doesn't require me to buy anything I wouldn't already have at home (things like knives, make-up, a mask, or wig). Finding a cast shouldn't be as hard because I have friends/family who have already volunteered to be in my film as the main character has to be somebody aged 17-45 (which gives me a wide range of options). 

Link to photo: Fear, D., Dowd, A. A., Garrett, S., Rife, K., Grierson, T., Bailey, J., Phipps, K., Grow, K., Zuckerman, E., Daniels, R., & Murray, N. (2023, June 1). 101 best horror movies of all time. Rolling Stone. https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-lists/best-horror-movies-of-all-time-1234597766/the-abominable-dr-phibes-1234604037/ 

Now that I'm set on the genre my film will be based off of, it's now time for me to research opening film examples to aid me through how I want to approach the actual TOPIC of my film. In doing so, this will really help me because I'm watching successful and professional produced films, which have won big noble prizes, and has been watched by MANY. 

Soooo.... stay tuned as I plan to come back Wednesday!!