Thomas Schatz Genre Theory (1981)

Thomas Schatz believes that there are only two genres:

Genres of order (western, gangster, sci-fi etc)

Hero - Individual, male - dominant
Setting - Contested space which is argued over (ideologically unstable)
Conflict - Externalised, against others (expressed through violence)
Resolution/ending - Elimination (death)
Thematics - The hero takes upon himself the problems, contradictions of his society and saves us from them
                  - Macho code of behaviour
                  - Isolated self-resiliance (either through his departure or death, the hero does not fit in with the values /lifestyles of the community but maintains individuality)

Genres of Integration (Musicals, comedies, domestic melodramas etc)

Hero - Couple or collective e.g. family
Setting - Civilised space (ideologically stable)
Conflict - Internalised - between themselves (expressed through emotion)
Resolution/ending - embrace (love)
Thematics - The romantic couple or family are integrated into the wider community, their personal antagonists resolved
                  - Maternal, familiar code
                  - Community co-operation

'Genres of order' is the genre that relates to 'Arcane'. Throughout our Teaser Trailer we have featured each of the above elements, although some elements e.g. Resolution cannot be shown or revealed in the Trailer, ultimately adding more suspense and mystery for the viewer.

Rick Altman Genre Theory (1999)

Genre offers audiences 'a set of pleasures'

Emotional Pleasures - The emotional pleasures offered to audiences of genre films are particulary significant when they genreate a strong audience response.

Visceral Pleasures - Visceral pleasures are 'gut' responses and are defined by how the film's stylistic construction elicits a physical effect upon its audience. This can be a feeling of revulsion, kinetic speed or a 'roller coaster ride'.

Intellectual Puzzles - Certain film genres such as the thriller offer the pleasure in trying to unravel a mystery or a puzzle. Pleasure is derived from deciphering the plot and forecasting the end or being surprised by the unexpected.

Our Teaser Trailer relates to the 'Intellectual Puzzles'. One of the conventions of a teaser trailer is the 'mystery' that it holds for the viewer. The purpose of the film is to help the viewer 'unravel a mystery or puzzle', and so throughout the whole film the viewer will understand and establish the majority of our plot.

Questionnaire Results

We collaborated all of our research up to now to compose a questionnaire.

We conducted a questionnaire and received feedback from 30 of our target audience. We then put these results into a video which can be seen below.

Film Title

The film title is a crucial aspect of any film. It is what will capture the interest of potential audiences and make suggestions towards the genre and even plot of a film. However, there has to be an air of mystery about it, so as not to give too much away. We thought of a selection of potential titles for our film, as follows:
Confidential - definition: in strict privacy or secrecy

Classified - definition: available only to authorised persons

Scandal - definition: a disgraceful or discreditable action, circumstance, etc

Ignominy - definition: disgrace, dishonour, public contempt

Opprobrium - definition: the disgrace or the reproach incurred by conduct considered outrageously shameful; infamy

Liberal - definition: favourable to progress or reform, as in political or religious affairs

Conservative - definition: disposed to preserve existing conditions, institutions etc, or to restore traditional ones, and to limit change

Allegations - definition: an assertion made with little or no proof 

Arcane - definition: known or understood by very few; mysterious; secret; obscure

We will incorporate a question concerning the title in our questionnaire that will be conducted shortly and the results posted thereafter.