Genre Research – Romance
Genre Conventions – production techniques
The target audience of a romance-themed film is usually
geared to reach a female audience and invoke emotions within the viewers
watching. The plot centers on this concept of “Girl meets Boy” with hardships
in between and tends to end with a “Happily Ever After” resolution.
To begin to understand the genre conventions of a romance,
it is essential to gain insight to how set designers/directors build the tone
of the story through visual characteristics such as the setting. The setting of
a romance film typically starts by taking place in an urban location such as a
school, city, beach, coffee shop, etc. All locations share, what I’ve come to
call, the “chance” factor whereas the two main love interests can encounter
each other by “chance”.
Other techniques that enable the mood of a romance plot to
be established derive from auditory queues. These various sounds immerse the audience to connect with the characters on a more personal level. For instance, soundtracks of romance films tend to include soft sounds and soothing lyrics at different times of the plot. During times of separation between the main love interests, diegetic sound such as sober background music may be used to reflect the inner emotion of each character. An excellent example of a score used to associate the connection between two characters in a romance film is "Bella's Lullaby" from the romance-drama, "Twilight". During the film, it was established that Edward, the main male love interest, had dedicated a song for Bella, the main female love interest on the piano. This score, which I have attached below, would most often play when Bella and Edward were apart to remind the audience of their deep connection and lasting love despite the conflicts between them.
Here's the link where you can listen to "Bella's Lullaby"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7-3_h0vxXA
A auditorial feature that is not often used in films of various genres, but one that I have come to notice is commonly used within romantic films is Epistolary Voice. This is done when the advancement of the plot moves forward through the reading of letters via the main character's own present voice or via a voiceover. A few romance films that deliver dialogue using Epistolary Voice include: Pride and Prejudice, Letters to Juliet, and Dear John.
Common Characteristics of the Romance Genre:
- Props include those of romantic gestures such as flowers, gifts, and other symbols/tokens of appreciation and love of the main lovers portrayed
- Mise-en-Scene includes soft/natural lighting to set a romantic and innocent tone. Colors that represent love, passion, desire, etc. such as hues of pinks and red are often used depending on the context of the scene.
- Costume design depends on time period, however in a typical romance film characters wear casual dressing based on the era established. Female characters are often depicted through a more delicate lense are therefore wear clothing such as dresses of lighter colors such as white, yellow, etc. These colors can mimic joyful periods in the plot if a comparison needs to be later made in the story.
Film Sample #1 -
10 Things I Hate About You
The film, 10 Things I Hate About You, can perfectly represent the romance genre through its various features. To start, the location of the plot is a high school "chance" setting in which the main male character, an outcasted "angsty teen", is paid money to attempt to date an ill-tempted, hard to love girl named Katarina Stratford. In the mist of taking on this challenge, the male character, Patrick, attempts to swoon Kat with gifts and romanic gestures such as singing "I Love You Baby", by Frank Sinatra, at her soccer practice. At first, Kat is hesitant and even disgusted by these acts however, comes to fall for Patrick. Likewise, although his intentions were not pure at first, he comes to fall for Kat.
Film Sample #2 -
Titanic
If I'm talking about romance films, why not include one of the most infamous ones of them all, Titanic. The film takes is based on the real life tragedy that was the sinking of the Titanic ship however, in this film, the audience follows the short-lived love story of Jack and Rose - two teens aboard the ship who found comfort within each other. The biggest contributing romance factor that I noticed throughout the film was the Mise-en-scene. Often, the main female love interest, Rose, is portrayed in a very feminine, poised way. This is not only done to represent that of her high class societal status, but to make her appear susceptible and naive to the deep love she ends up having with the male love interest, Jack. Rose's costume design often shows Rose wearing delicate colors and outfits to additionally represent her innocence. But, at the night of her losing her virginity, she wear a dark red sleek/mature dress to symbolize her passions and desires with Jack.
Here is Rose in her red dress:
Citations
Dow, G. (2017, January 06). Codes and Conventions of the Romance Genre. Retrieved from https://prezi.com/thwwuf9t8fjk/codes-and-conventions-of-the-romance-genre/Suji94 Follow. (2011, January 17). Typical conventions of Romance. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/suji94/typical-conventions-of-romance
Suji94 Follow. (2011, January 17). Typical conventions of Romance. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/suji94/typical-conventions-of-romance
