Media Studies

Anthony Suarez

10/5/2021 - Media Studies Blog

ENTRY #1

Today in my class everyone had to present a genre. Each person had a different movie genre that, whoever wasn't presenting that certain type of genre, has to take notes of it. However, I am going to talk about all the different genres that I took notes of.

Comedy Genre 

What is comedy genre?

Comedy is a genre of fiction that was created of works to be humorous and to give laughter. Comedy is a dramatic performance most of the time, usually influenced by theaters, movies, and shows. 

Social Functions of Comedy

Comedy is humorous. Comedy influences people in many ways, like entertaining them and making them happy. This influences the audience to make others laugh and have a good time, which is usually why directors would want to make a comedy movie to brighten up the viewer’s spirit. ​

Comparison of Modern/Classic Comedies

1900's Gen (Classic)

During the 1970s, manic, quirky comedies began to appear. These comedies were made to gross out/disgust/shock the audience. During the 1980s and 1990s romantic comedies made a comeback in theaters. These movies entertained the audiences with their quick wit and romantic situations. ​

2000's Gen (Modern)

With Gen Z starting, comedy movies began to shift into R-rated comedies like The Hangover (2009) These films used obscene/vulgar jokes and situations to shock the audience. After a while, comedy films also began to mock other movies in exaggerated ways. 

Horror Genre

What is horror genre?

Horror is a genre of literature, film, and television that is meant to scare, startle, shock, and even repulse audiences. The key focus of a horror novel, horror film, or horror TV show is to elicit a sense of dread in the reader through frightening images, themes, and situations.

Social Functions of Horror

Horror is a genre of fiction whose purpose is to create feelings of fear, dread, repulsion, and terror in the audience: in other words, it develops an atmosphere of horror.

Comparison of Modern/Classic Horror Films

1900s Gen (Classic)

Classic horror movies create more of heart-pounding and suspenseful 

mood for viewers.

2000's Gen (Classic)

Modern horror movies tend to focus more on intense "in-your-face" action, 

while still incorporating some common elements of the horror genre.

Action Genre

What is action genre?

Action film is a genre in which the protagonist or protagonists are thrust into a series of events that typically include violence, extended fighting, physical feats, rescues and frantic chases.

Social Functions of Action

Action genre usually has common tropes of the genre include explosions, car chases, fistfights and shootouts.

Comparison of Modern/Class Horror Films

1900's Gen (Classic)

Classic action films are usually military type of films, associated with

guns, explosions, bombs, & etc..

2000's Gen (Modern)

Modern action films are now like POV/Hitman movies, such as 

gun usage, illegal affiliation, violence, & much more.

Sci-Fi Genre

What is sci-fi genre?

Science fiction is a genre of speculative fiction that typically deals with imaginative and futuristic concepts such as advanced science and technology, space exploration, time travel, parallel universes, and extraterrestrial life

Social Functions of Sci-Fi

Of all of the parts of society, the field of technology is the most impacted by Science Fiction. Multiple fields including communication, home entertainment, space travel, and transportation are improved because of the fantastical ideas presented in the science fiction genre.

Comparison of Modern/Classic Sci-Fi Films

1900's Gen (Classic)

 Sci-Fi genre has changed over time from firstly just be 

focusing on time travel and space with Aliens.

2000's Gen (Modern)

New Sci-fi has more of a thrilling edge using CGI and new ways of technology things look more realistic and including more conventions such as; robots and the cyber world it brings a new, exciting edge.

Gangster Genre

What is gangster genre?

A gangster film or gangster movie is a film belonging to a genre that focuses on gangs and organized crime. It is a subgenre of crime film, that may involve large criminal organizations, or small gangs formed to perform a certain illegal act. The genre is differentiated from Westerns and the gangs of that genre.

Social Functions of gangster genre

Functions of gangster are the depiction of characters that operate outside the constraints of the law, the gangster film genre enables viewers to vicariously experience a morally loose lifestyle, condemned by society.

Comparison of Modern/Classic Gangster Films

1900's Gen (Classic)

Classic gangster genre is most likely to be considered

as mafia/mob type of films.

2000's Gen (Modern)

Modern gangster movies are usually about an organized 

crime, or a mob with a leader that has a ton of hit mans. 

Drug lords are also considered to be modern gangster 

movies as well.

ENTRY #2

Today, I am going to be talking about what cinematography is. You will all end this knowing a brief explanation of what "cinematography" is.

What is cinematography?

Cinematography, is the art and technology of motion-picture photography. It involves such techniques as the general composition of a scene; the lighting of the set or location; the choice of cameras, lenses, filters, and film stock; the camera angle and movements; and the integration of any special effects.

How is cinematography used to create meaning?

 Cinematography, is used to create meaning by its quick action shots and following angles build different depths into the characters expressions making the audience feel more emotions towards them. The cinematography is a very useful tool and can cause the audience to feel emotion towards a character or objects regardless of its use.

ENTRY #3

Today, I'm going to introduce you guys to "Mise-en-Scene" , and what it means.

What is Mise-en-Scene?

Mise en scene is the arrangement of scenery and stage properties in a play. Translated from French, it means "setting the stage" but, in film analysis, the term mise en scene refers to everything in front of the camera, including the set design, lighting, and actors.

How is Mise-en-Scene used to create meaning?

Mise en Scene, is a term used to describe the setting of a scene in a play or a film. In other words, mise en scene is a catch-all for everything that contributes to the visual presentation and overall “look” of a production. When translated from French, it means “placing on stage.”