GENRE RESEARCH

My Genre: Melodrama/Drama

I chose Melodrama/Drama because it resonates with my own life and I wanted to use this film as a way to capture the real emotions and thoughts of a young fashion stylist who wants to make it big in the fashion industry but struggles with an inferiority complex and her own self esteem. It is a high-concept genre and what interested me in this genre is the fact that there is so much emotion throughout this genre that people may be able to relate to. 

Codes and Conventions of a Melodrama:

1. Technical - Usually a Melodrama film consists of soft or warm lighting. The consistent switching between intense music and pure silence. As well as slow camera movements or close-up shots focusing on the character.

2. Narrative - Typically we would see character types such as a Victim, Hero/heroine or a Confidant; these are character types that can generate a lot of emotion in a storyline. The main themes can be Duty VS Love or Sacrifice and Suffering. 

Melodrama films that inspired my genre selection:

1. Whiplash 2014 - A melodrama focusing on a young jazz drummer and his abusive teacher who pushes him past his limits in search for perfection. The film shows a lot of the characters' moral conflict and extreme emotions. 

2. Black Swan 2010 - A psychological melodrama focusing on a young dedicated ballerina who strives to embody both; the pure White Swan and the seductive Black Swan. But in pursuit of perfection, the story follows her psychological and emotional collapse. 

Conclusion: 

Researching different genres and then finally selecting melodrama made it a lot easier for me to understand how I want to navigate the storytelling and aesthetics of my film based on the typical elements behind this genre and how I can implement my desired elements into my own film.