Research - My Studies of Genres (#7)

     Hello, it's me again! To start, for my two minute film I have been thinking about doing either a rom com, a thriller, or a horror. For a romcom I've read a few books that have romcoms as their main genre. To name a couple of books, I've read "Beach Read" by Emily Henry, "The Love Hypothesis" by Ali Hazelwood. These books are popular rom coms that I enjoyed; they have that perfect mix of comedy and romance that every romcom needs. I chose to research this genre because I like rom coms books, and I think it will be something new or uncommon for people to see in their two minute film. For the movies that I have watched that are thriller are "Black Phone" directed by Scott Derrickson and "Five Nights At Freddy's" directed by Emma Tammi. These movies have spooky feeling and keep you on your toes, and even though I've seen many people use this genre, I think it is something cool to experiment with. Some horror movies I've watched are "The Conjuring" directed by James Wan and "Insidious: The Red Door" directed by Patrick Wilson. Although horror and thriller are similar and sometimes mixed when making movies, a thriller is a genre I enjoy; whether that is in books or movies. They always catch my attention very quick when done right, so that is why I chose to research this genre.

        To start my research on rom coms, the main thing that all rom coms need to be successful are a compelling mix of heartfelt romance and authentic humor. Rom coms like "10 Thing I Hate About You" have this component. One of the core components in rom coms are compelling characters; the audience must be able to relate to them and root for them to end up together. For example, they need to be lovable but flawed, have sparking chemistry, and unforgettable sidekicks, (Hellerman, 2024). The second core component is a classic, yet fresh, plot; most rom coms follow a predictable "boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl" structure, according to Scripts (2022).  Most rom coms have the "cute meet" moment, an effective central conflict, the grand gesture, and a happy ending. The last core component is a balanced between humor and emotion; a rom com is more than just jokes, it taps into real human emotions and experiences. For example they include heartfelt sentiments, natural humor, and authenticity and relatability, (Smith, 2025). From the movies I've seen, the different shots that they mostly use are medium shots, close-up shots, and two-shots to show the intimacy, emotion, and dynamics between the characters in the movie. The different types of editing styles that directors use are fast pace with quick cuts to keep the joyful and upbeat mood of each scene and moment within the movies. Sounds and mise-en-scene that directors also use are nostalgic music to keep the old time lovey feel and the movies also use warm colors and bright colors to create a inviting scene for the movie.

        For my research of a thriller genre the main thing that I noticed in the plot of those movies are a clear, formidable threat and high stakes for the protagonist, who should also be a well-developed, relatable character with a compelling goal. A few key elements for a successful thriller are a clear threat and high stakes; the audience must understand the protagonist's personal danger to invest in the outcome (Spines, 2022), a compelling protagonist; create a memorable protagonist whose clear goals and struggles ensure the reader's investment in their journey (admin, 2008), and a plot twist; incorporate unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing, but ensure they feel integral to the plot and not just a superficial misdirection, (Class, 2020). The codes and conventions that thrillers use are camera work like Dutch angles, tracking shots, and extreme close-ups mixed with face paced editing and eyeline matches to create a intense but uneasy feeling to the scene. Thrillers often use heavy breathing, fast heart beating, and ominous music to create the creepy and suspenseful mood for the audience. Thrillers often use low-key lighting, deep shadows, unsettling costumes and makeup to reflect a eerie atmosphere and characters.

In horror movies the camera work that directors use the most are shaky handheld camera to make a sense of urgency and chaos, low-angle shots to make the killer/monster more threatening, and slow tracking shots to build suspense. For editing style and sound, the movies include fast cutting and sudden cuts to create panic and jump scares, dialogue like screaming, sound effects like heavy breathing and creaking doors. These elements make the suspenseful creepy sound that all horror movies create. Most horror movies use silhouettes to make the killer/monster more scary and inhuman, while also using costumes like masks or cloaks to dehumanize them. In horror movies the key components that they contain are the fear of the unknown, loss of control, and the "final person" where they is the last one standing and defeats the killer/monster. Which happens in Insidious: The Red Door. The kid, Dalton, beats the finally trapped the demon away forever, and saves his parents and himself.

Romcoms Idea:

A medium shot of two characters walking from opposite directions. Slow-motion shot of a coffee cup tipping over. Close-up on the horrified faces. Quick cuts of them frantically wiping up the mess. A background music of an upbeat, light-hearted pop music. A awkward "On my gosh, I'm so sorry!" dialogue. The mise-en-scene of a brightly lit, busy coffee shop or school cafeteria, and colorful costumes.

Thriller Idea:

Focus on a piece of paper being passed under a desk. Quick cuts between the protagonist's paranoid eyes and the note. Tracking shot as the protagonist rushes through a crowded hallway. Sounds could be general murmur of the classroom, muffled, tense, non-diegetic score, and/or the sound of ripping paper. Mise-en-scene being a busy, ordinary high school hallways/classroom. Protagonist looks constantly over their shoulder. The note reads: "They know."

Horror Idea:

POV shot of hand fumbling with keys. Low-angle shot of the door. Extreme close-up on the doorknob slowly turning from the inside. A dark figure in the shadow slowly getting closer, with no visible face. Sound of heavy breathing, creaking and scratching behind the door, with sudden loud sounds. Mise-en-scene, dark, narrow, hallway with a single flickering bulb, (low-key lighting).

Reflection:

The genres that feels most achievable for me is a horror film because although is a common but simple genre to do, I believe it is achievable for me since I'll be working alone. The genres that excite me the most are thriller and horror because they are my favorite movies/genres to watch and experience. A rom com might be difficult with the resources I have because I don't have access to mise-en-scene that relates to rom coms, and I believe that it will be unrealistic for me to do if I tried. This research as opened my eyes to the many parts of these genres that I haven't thought about ever. I'm excited to go start on my two minute film opening. My first option for the film opening is a horror because I want to do something that is achievable and realistic for myself. I ready to continue this project and many more to come! 

References

admin. (2008, September 5). 10 Basic Ingredients of a Successful Thriller. Writer’s Digest. https://www.writersdigest.com/improve-my-writing/10-basic-ingredients-of-a-successful-thriller

Class, M. (2020). 6 Elements of a Thriller Novel: How to Write a Bestselling Thriller - 2024 - MasterClass. MasterClass. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-write-a-bestselling-thriller-novel

Hellerman, J. (2024, May 3). Do You Know the Core Elements of Romantic Comedy Genre in Film and TV? | No Film School. Nofilmschool.com. https://nofilmschool.com/romantic-comedy-definition

Scripts, I. (2022, November 23). The KEY Building Blocks to Writing a GOOD Romantic Comedy. Industrial Scripts®. https://industrialscripts.com/romantic-comedy/

Smith, A. R. (2025, February 14). The Evolution of the Romantic Comedy: What Today’s Rom-Coms Teach Us About Love, Storytelling, and Success. Stage 32; Ashley Renee Smith. https://www.stage32.com/blog/the-evolution-of-the-romantic-comedy-what-todays-rom-coms-teach-us-about-love-storytelling-and-success-4010

Spines. (2022, September 12). The 9 Ingredients To A Winning Thriller - Spines. Spines. https://spines.com/the-9-ingredients-to-a-winning-thriller/