Neale’s theory is that films in a genre should include conventions that are typical of the genre (like the horror genre) so that the audience know that its a film of that genre, but also should include features that are different, to keep the audicence interested.
i agree with this theory, based on the work i did in this lesson.
two pieces of zombie media compared.
the walking dead
- abandoned city.
- male protagonist.
- theme of survival.
- decaying gory zombies.
- guns.
- military / police presence.
- enigma – puzzle that needs to be solved.
- theme of saving/finding someone.
- costumes are dirty/sweaty/bloody.
- misfits.
- survivors.
- dramatic, intense music. orchestra score.
- they can only kill the zombies by shooting them in the head.
- zombies growling/groaning.
- serious.
- hospital/coma. confusion.
- the zombies arent always the biggest threat.
- gets infected and doesnt tell anyone.
- desaturated colour – draining life.
- never just calling them zombies and always calling them something else (walkers, creepers, whatever).
zombieland
similarities
- fire, explosions and guns.
- survival.
- male protagonist.
- group of misfits.
differences
- light-hearted.
- satirical (not taking itself too seriously)
- trailer is filmed in the way a comedy trailer would be filmed.
- voiceover – conventional of a comedy movie and not a horror movie.
- not set in an abandoned place.
- humor.
- zombies are energetic and less decaying looking.
- costumes are less damaged and dirty.
- rock and roll music – upbeat.
- normal life continues – weddings, people out on the street.
- text composited into the shot – comedy.
- faster paced editing which is like an action film.
comparison of films in the comedy genre: Knives Out and The Hangover.
