Josh Brown

RESEARCH ON THREE GENRES AND THE CODES AND

CONVENTIONS OF FILM

Josh Brown

I have decided to research British Film Genres as it is relatable to my proposed

film based in Manchester – a British location with a lot of people who thrive on

traditional British cultures and mannerisms compared to Americans or

other English speaking colonies. The first film I have chosen to look at is

Trainspotting. It follows a group of heroin addicts in a late 1980s

economically depressed area of Edinburgh and their passage through life. Beyond drug addiction, other themes in the film are exploration of the urban poverty in

"culturally rich" Edinburgh. This is relatable to my idea as I am also looking to base my film in the 20th Century with a

working class main character.

BRITISH FILM

I have decided to research Crime Genres as it is relatable to my

proposed film – My main character will be making illegal decisions that could pose problems for

himself. The first film I have chosen to look at is The Firm. It follows a group of London football Hooligans in a late 1980s/Early 1990’s. This is

relatable to my idea as I am also looking to base my film in the 20th

Century with my character who follows the same crowd culturally.

CRIME

I have decided to research Drama as it is also relatable to my proposed film – My

main character will be making controversial decisions that will pose difficulties for himself and leave the

audience feeling emotions towards the text.

The first film I have chosen to look at is Forrest Gump. It follows the life of a

man who works his way threw the inevitable highs and lows involved in

being human in recent societies gone by and this is relatable to my idea as I am

also looking to base my film on the events occurring to one person over a

space of time and the response to society.

DRAMA

LengthUsually between two mins and 20 mins, anything shorter than a

feature film.

Niche Audience

Short films have a lot smaller and niche audience than mainstream due to the creative nature, length and simple storyline. Although

largely accessible, many are not aware of short film. This is laregly due to popularity decreasing through the 30’s onwards, and the

limited access in mainstream forms such as prime time television and cinema. Short film also varies in genre and style and will

appeal to a much more specific audience.

CONVENTIONS

Characters

Only usually one main character with a couple of add ons, to gain that audience actor relationship in a small amount of time.

Online distribution

Unlike mainstream film, short films are largely accessible for free through the internet. There are many sites who distribute short films online from independent to established sites such as the BBC. This is

the easiest and most effective way for short film to reach audiences as they are very rarely shown at cinemas or on television. DVDs can be

brought with selections of short films on, however, they are most widely accessed over the web. As short film is based much more on

creativity and expression rather than mainstream and profit, it is much more important for the film maker to reach a wide audience and

distribute films to them for free.

Opposition to mainstream

All of these codes and conventions largely make short film in opposition to mainstream. They hold a very different format and style

to each other and short film will usually try to give audiences a different outlet of film to the mainstream

Emotion

Short films are used to convey a strong emotion to the viewer whether this is laughter, pleasure, sadness or anger, sometimes making

comments on morals or society in the process. Short films can be a lot more powerful in this way as it is easy to make something appear

differently to how it is or to get the audience thinking about a particualr topic without having the time to make up their minds while

watching, leaving them to contemplate after the film has finished. There will also usually be a stronger connection to the characters as they are shown closely throughout, with the creativity allowing for

more humour and pleasure.