Explain genre theory and, using Chapter 4 of the text as a reference,
Going by the definition, genres are types, classes, and groups of films that comes as divisions or fractions of specific genres. By this, it becomes uncertainly clear of what the real definition of what a genre is. Several theories have been made concerning the definition of the word genre but the difficulty is brought about by the inability to define something as part of something else. By definition there is, the fact that genres are categorized as types, genres, and classes, as part of fractions or divisions of a specific genre makes it uneasy to really define what a genre is. Many genres have been known to have several other subgenres in them; this makes it hard to give a definitive term of what a genre is. According to author and film professor Robert Stam, theories that debate the existence of genres lack something firm to stand on and in his words, “definitions are fluid at best, meaningless at worst”.
- Describe the conventions and attributes of animations
Animations are a diverse form of art that targets young audience for local as well as international market. It has a variety of styles, processes, production, and methodologies of animations that are similarly shared. The attributes and conventions of animations are;
- Animation technique-animations are set on a typical production that provides voice acting, cell production, storyboarding, and character design. This is aided by the use of computers that helps improve the total efficiency in the whole process of production. Characters- a lot of considerations are usually made when determining the body proportions of the different characters found in animations (Moine 2009). These considerations play a key role in making similarities between the animated character and real people. Music-the theme and background music that play in animations are usually songs done by various artists who make the vast category of music genres found in the United States. Exceptionally, songs can be written with the animations theme in mind to help bring out the best matching song for it.
- The conventions of animations are based on what the presented idea is. These ideas are the worked on to provide the expected anticipation that is looked forth in animations. Failure to make this work in unison creates surprise, shock or humor to the audience. Presentation plays a very important aspect on how conventions affect the animation genre (Moine 2009). It is the underlying factor that helps the audience to understand what the theme of the play is and makes sense in what they watch. Through this, the audience is able to make sense in what he reads. However, this can only be made possible if the audience can discover, read, and understand the visual language presented forth in conventional terms.
- Identify a feature-length film that fits this genre and provide a basic summary of the movie.
Rio is a 96 min animation/ comedy/ adventure movie that narrates the story of a tamed Macaw named Blu. Blu is unable to fly because he has never had a chance to learn how to fly. Living under the company of his owner, the bird has a comfortable life in Minnesota in a place known as Moose Lake. In their own thoughts, both Blu and his owner Linda, think that he is the only surviving bird of the species only to realize that there is another Macaw living in Brazil. The female Macaw, Jewel, in Rio de Janeiro soon gets a visitor, after Blu and his owner lands in Rio. The two Macaws are both kidnapped by smugglers and are intended for trade. However, this does not happen as Blu is helped to escape from the kidnappers hand by Jewel. After meeting Jewel and other new friends on their way while they escape, Blu is forced to learn how to fly if he has the hope of ever seeing his owner and best friend, Linda.
- As you develop this summary, remember the differences between a film’s story and a film’s plot and how these differences can lead to the inclusion of genre elements.
The main differences between a story and a plot are;
The plot is considered to be the summary of the story and while developing this summary, details are kept tight and brief. The story is considered to be underlying details of the play and while developing it, every detail counts. These differences play a very important role when adding elements to genres since they enable the director to know what each scene requires and as such, be able to create subgenres within the main genres of the play (Neale 2000).
- Interpret at least two genre conventions exhibited in your chosen feature-length film that help classify it in the selected genre. Be sure to provide a specific example of each convention (e.g., a particular scene or plot component).
- Themes-animations have a significant theme or ideas that form the basis of its narration. Through these themes, the audience is able to interpret and relate to the expected anticipations which surround the character’s conflicts. In Rio, Blu discovers that he is not the only remaining Macaw of his species and becomes thrilled to learn of Jewel. However, in order to fully live as a wild Macaw, he must fight the need to live with Linda.
- Journeys-animation takes on journey ideas when adventure becomes part of it. This makes the audience to mentally become part of the journey and travel to see what waits on the other end. In Rio, after discovering that Jewel, a female counterpart of Blu is in Rio de Janeiro, Blu and his owner sets out for Rio to meet Jewel.
- Provide an example of a third convention from your chosen feature-length film and explain how this convention expands the boundaries of the specified genre.
An example of a third convention is the subplot. Subplots are used to create a link between the primary and the secondary story, by doing this; it is able to keep the audience with interest (Neale 2000). Subplots help expand boundaries of animations by making it possible to relate different stories, one to the other.
Part Two
- Identify the type of lighting used in the film (traditional three-point, high-key, or low-key) and assess the impact of the lighting used to establish the theme.
The type of lighting used in Rio is traditional three-point. This type of lightning has been considered by Blue Sky artists as the best and most simple type of lighting to use once the user is familiar with principles of operation (Grant 2003). Ever since Blue Sky used this type of lighting in its first animation, Bunny, the production house has for a long time made it the basic lighting type for all its animation productions because they consider it irreplaceable.
According to Chisholm, Blue Sky artist, the effect of traditional three-point lighting has been used to comfortably “type to see something visual” something which many other artist claim is impossible to achieve in the presence of more light. This lighting has been used to bring out the theme of the animation Rio in a very simple and clear way unlike the use of any other type of lighting.
- What are the benefits of the style of lighting used?
Traditional three-point has several advantages over other types of lighting. These advantages are;
- One does not require the use of GUI to work faster. All that is needed is the ability to get familiar with CGI to produce very simple yet clear productions that outsmart others (Stringer 2008).
- Traditional three-point lighting allows the user to make alterations on the design of lighting when changes occur is various sets.
- It allows for the film director and producer to eliminate excess light that may otherwise interfere with the process of making a film. By doing this, the user is able to light up faces, rim as well as fill lights and achieve the desired outcome.
- Shadow management is made possible with traditional three-point to be able to distinguish for the audience the focal point.
- How did this technique contribute to the theme?
This technique helped the director to be in a position to work simply yet clearly when bringing out the theme of the film.
- How was the lighting technique suited to the genre of the film? For example, documentary films tend to rely on natural light as a way of creating an overall tone of authenticity.
Animation films have a tendency to be made perfect with the use of traditional three-point lighting. This type of lighting makes it possible to create design changes that render the whole film worthy.
- Compare how the scene would play if different choices had been made.
If the scenes had been played out in a different choice of lighting, the quality would have been altered denying the audience the absolute design features that made the film attractive.
References
Grant, B. K. (2003). Genre Films And Cultural Myth. Film International, 1 (1), 27-35.
Moine, R. (2009). Cinema genre. Malden, MA: Blackwell Pub..
Neale, S. (2000). Genre and Hollywood. London: Routledge.
Stringer, J. (2008). Genre Films and Festival Communities: Lessons from Nottingham, 1991
- Film International, 6(4), 53-60.
