Hello! This blog is just a little research for possible genre matched with a few ideas and reflections for my project.
#1- Western
Western genres began in dime novels in the late 19th century, but films of the genre quickly got a solid ground in the silent era of film.² They where popular and very common for a while, but audiences began to feel the movies became predictable. It was only until after the widespread use of synoicous sound in the 1940s that western films were reviven.¹ The western genre has existed for a long while, meaning it's had time to developed tropes and niches. Depending on how the tropes are written, this can make or break a movie. For example, the noble outlaw is almost always the main character. A stoic, strong, and morally righteous shadowy figure.³
If I pick this genre, this will mean I'd get to research about life in the late 1800s. The clothes and the set would have to be planned to every last little feature. The little nerd in my brain can't wait to make vast spreadsheets and long historical essays. Should I make this film, I would definitely write something akin to Lego Batmen. Batman started out as a total loser who didn't want to leave the house, but had everyone convinced he was really cool. Over the movie, he learns to let people in and grows a chosen family.
Clip of Batman being a loser:
Clip of Batman being cool:
I think having a character like this would be a really fun twist on the western trope of a lone rider.
Resources:
1. https://screenculturejournal.com/2017/04/the-decline-in-popularity-of-the-western-film-genre/
2. https://nofilmschool.com/western-genre#:~:text=The%20genre%20has%20its%20roots,a%20harsh%20and%20unforgiving%20environment.
3. https://screenrant.com/western-movie-genre-tropes/
#2 Coming of age
Coming of age films have always kind of existed, there isn't a traceable history them. However there is a traceable decline to their production. It seems the golden age was in the 2000s. That was before fantasy, science fiction, and dystopian movies took over the content consumed by the teenage demographic. There seem to be very few movies about growing up in the 21st century.¹ Coming of age movies tend to be focused on a teenager changing over time. Usually takes place in or around high school, and deals with a lot of concepts like learning to be one's true self or getting over a first love. ²
If I where to do the genre, I'd go one of two ways.
One: I do something focused on current everyday life. Maybe following a teenager who feels like a fish out of water. They aren't allowed to have a cell phone, so they just constantly feel left out. This one might be a bit depressing though, which isn't up my alley.
Two: I go all the way back to the 50s or 70s. I'd research how they lived back then and maybe do something akin to Grease or Footloose.
Resources:
1. https://spartanshield.org/29522/arts-entertainment/the-evolution-of-the-coming-of-age-genre-in-film/
2. https://www.themaryword.com/post/a-deconstruction-of-the-coming-of-age-genre-with-recommendations
I intentionally picked two genres that have been oversaturated. This is because I'd love to put a creative spin my work. The motivator behind this approach is Rango. It is a movie that combines fantasy elements and animated animals to a western landscape. The character designs are full of personality and play on western tropes.
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