2021 Genres and Elements

Posted 5th March 2021

Elements

Object - Something Invisible

Your film must feature something we cannot see! Whether it’s an invisibility cloak, a ghost or any object a mime is using! Just because you need to feature invisibility, doesn’t mean your film has to be magical or science fiction remember - if you draw specific attention to their invisibility, things like the wind or thoughts or feelings can be invisible too. Maybe an imaginary friend or a figment of someone’s imagination? Glass is arguably invisible! Get creative and find a unique way to insert something invisible into your film.

Character - A Reluctant, Unlikely or Anti-hero

Your film must feature a hero who is either reluctant, unlikely or an anti-hero. This character does not necessarily have to be your protagonist, and if you want to try all 3 and do a reluctant unlikely anti-hero, then go for it!

A reluctant hero is someone who doesn’t want to be a hero, who doesn’t want to cross the threshold, or accept the call to adventure…. But does anyway. Think Shrek from SHREK, Max from MAD MAX: FURY ROAD, John McClane from DIE HARD, Sarah Connor from THE TERMINATOR, Han Solo from STAR WARS, Dante from CLERKS or Ripley from ALIEN.

An unlikely hero doesn’t look like they could or SHOULD be a hero, but despite seeming unfit for the job, they still step up to the plate. Think Po from KUNG FU PANDA, Wall-E from WALL-E, Peter Parker from SPIDER-MAN, any of the Hobbits from LORD OF THE RINGS, Sadness from INSIDE OUT or Neville Longbottom from HARRY POTTER.

An anti-hero is a morally ambiguous imperfect badass who, despite their rough exterior, negative personality traits and dubious set of ethics, saves the day/plays the hero/makes the world a better place. Think The Bride from KILL BILL, Wolverine from X-MEN, Rick from CASABLANCA, Deadpool from DEADPOOL, V from V FOR VENDETTA, Captain Jack Sparrow in PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, Lisbeth from THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO, Venom from VENOM, Harley Quinn from BIRDS OF PREY or Gru from DESPICABLE ME.

Sound Effect - Heartbeat

Bah-dun, Bah-dun, Bah-dun. We want to hear a heartbeat in your film. Maybe your character is scared? Nervous? In love? It’s very easy to be cliche with this sound effect, so try your best to think outside the box and march to the beat of your own… heart.

Technical element - Reaction Shot

A reaction shot is a shot in your film which serves the specific purpose of a character reacting to something - whether that be a fright, a surprise, quiet contemplation - whatever the case we want to see them receive a new piece of information, event or statement and react accordingly.

L'Affare Ultra48

Your film must be set in the dark

Turn off them lights, and crank that camera’s ISO!.... Just kidding of course, we’re professionals. And as professionals you have to deal with a film which needs to be set in the dark. A dark room, a dark cavern, in the dead of night? That’s up to you, so is how you manage realistic lighting and still convey a story visually without substantial brightness… but your film must be inarguably and unambiguously set in the darkness.

Questions about L'Affare Ultra48? - Call Ruth on 021 150 7201

Genres

The Superhero movie
The Invitation movie
The Crime movie
The Fantasy movie
The Rom Com movie
The Race Against Time movie
The Sci Fi movie
The Horror movie
The Redemption movie
The Adventure movie
The Musical or Splatter movie

#1 - The Superhero movie

"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain." - THE DARK KNIGHT (2008)

You’d have to be living under a rock in 2021 to not know what the superhero movie is! The most popular and profitable blockbuster subgenre of the 21st century, and one that has been interpreted, subverted and tributed in so many different ways - and now it’s your turn! Maybe you want to go traditional and make a film about a superpowered/bionically enhanced do-gooder who saves the day (like SPIDER-MAN, WONDER WOMAN or IRON MAN) - or maybe you want to go dark and explore the morally gray decisions superheroes find themselves forced to make (like THE DARK KNIGHT, LOGAN or WATCHMEN). Hell, maybe you’d rather focus on the super villains (like in JOKER, SUICIDE SQUAD or MEGA MIND). Whether you go for the classic corny-ness of SUPERMAN, the smart-ass satire of DEADPOOL or the existential dread of WANDAVISION, the malleability of the superhero movie makes it one of the greatest genres out there - and with great genre comes great films!Other examples include: THE INCREDIBLES, KICK-ASS, MYSTERY MEN, SUPER, BIG HERO 6, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, JUSTICE LEAGUE, SHAZAM, UNBREAKABLE, VENOM, CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, CHRONICLE, X-MEN, BRIGHTBURN or PROJECT POWER

#2 - The Invitation movie

"Why are you doing this to us?" "Because you were home." - THE STRANGERS (2008)

It all starts with an invitation. A happy one? A sad one? A… mysterious one? Is everyone invited? Or is it invite only? That’s up to you. Maybe your film focuses on an event your protagonist spends the whole movie getting ready for (like SUPERBAD, SIONE’S WEDDING or CRAZY RICH ASIANS). Maybe the whole thing takes place at the event itself (like CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY, DIE HARD or MIDSOMMAR). Maybe your whole film is set after the event (like THE HANGOVER), or maybe your movie is less about the invitation itself, and more about the unexpected guest(s) who were invited (like KNIVES OUT or MAMMA MIA!) or who invited you (like I’M THINKING OF ENDING THINGS or RAT RACE). Whatever your film’s tone it must start with, end with or in some way revolve around someone being (or not being) invited to something, whether that be a wedding, a birthday or simply into your home (don’t let the vampires in!)Other examples include: THE INVITATION, LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, FIGHT CLUB, DEATH AT A FUNERAL, PALM SPRINGS, PROJECT X, BRIDESMAIDS, AMERICAN REUNION, FRIGHT NIGHT, FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL, I LOVE YOU MAN, MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING or MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING

#3 - The Crime movie

“I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse” - THE GODFATHER (1972)

Stick ‘em up! Your movie is about crime! And remember, crime doesn’t pay? Maybe it does, you’re telling the story. Crime films have existed in many forms over the years, from comedies (like HOT FUZZ, LOGAN LUCKY or LOCK, STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS) to hard dramas (like HEAT, DONNIE BRASCO or, of course THE GODFATHER). Your film could follow those who uphold the law (like LETHAL WEAPON), those who break the law (like PULP FICTION), both (like FARGO) or maybe the only difference between lawman and criminal is a badge and a uniform (like LA CONFIDENTIAL, PRISONERS or THE WIRE). The sky really is the limit for this genre, your only requirement is that your story needs to involve at least one illegal activity (which needs to be achieved on screen by the filmmakers legally, thank you). Some of the best movies ever made are crime movies. Will you join those coveted ranks?Other examples include: TAXI DRIVER, ZOOTOPIA, 21 JUMP STREET, DOG DAY AFTERNOON, OCEAN’S 11, KNIVES OUT, BERNIE, SNATCH, GOODBYE PORK PIE, BLACKKKLANSMAN, GONE GIRL, UNCUT GEMS, MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS, PINEAPPLE EXPRESS, PAUL BLART: MALL COP or THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI

#4 - The Fantasy movie

"When you play the game of thrones, you win or you die. There is no middle ground." - GAME OF THRONES (2011 - 2019)

It’s time to dive deep into your imagination because you got Fantasy! Typically when we think of Fantasy movies, we think of those set in magical medieval worlds full of elves, goblins and dragons (like LORD OF THE RINGS, GAME OF THRONES, HARRY POTTER or ONWARD), but you can do more with the genre than staying traditional. Fantasy has been blended with plenty of other genres and stories over the years including Sci-Fi (like AVATAR or arguably STAR WARS), horror (UNDERWORLD or HELLRAISER) and even superhero movies (like THOR or AQUAMAN). Fantasy movies don’t even have to take place in another world - maybe they’re set on earth but a long time ago (like PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN, ALADDIN or BEAUTY AND THE BEAST) or maybe they feature fantasy elements interacting with modern day suburbia (like TWILIGHT, ENCHANTED or JUMANJI). Whatever your fantasy, there’s no need to put yourself in a Tolkienesque box if you don’t want to, because the whole world, and as many others as you can imagine, is/are your oyster(s).Other examples include: NARNIA, THE DARK CRYSTAL, LABYRINTH, HIGHLANDER, SLEEPY HOLLOW, THE NEVERENDING STORY, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS, THE PRINCESS BRIDE, AVATAR: THE LAST AIRBENDER or THE SECRET GARDEN

#5 - The Rom Com movie

“You complete me” - JERRY MAGUIRE (1996)

Love is in the air! You landed on one of the most tried and true genres in all of film history, the romantic comedy! While it may be a little basic for all you veterans out there, it’s never too late to drastically reinvent the wheel! Or warm our hearts by sticking to the classic formula - and that formula is simple: your film must be about characters who are in love, are going to be in love, or have been in love. And it also has to be funny - it’s a comedy too, remember. Some RomCom classics include WHEN HARRY MET SALLY, BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY’S or LOVE, ACTUALLY, while some more recent hits in the genre include ALWAYS BE MY MAYBE, TO ALL THE BOYS I’VE LOVED BEFORE and THE BIG SICK. What’s the matter, you’re a cold-hearted cynic? Not a problem, because there are plenty of irreverent, dark or unconventional RomComs which have subverted trends as well, including (500) DAYS OF SUMMER, FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL, TRAINWRECK, 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, WARM BODIES, SHAUN OF THE DEAD or, uh, 50 SHADES OF GREY?Other examples include: SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, YOU’VE GOT MAIL, PRETTY WOMAN, ZACK AND MIRI MAKE A PORNO, CLUELESS, JUNO, ABOUT TIME, ISN’T IT ROMANTIC, WALL-E, MIDNIGHT IN PARIS, THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, CRAZY, STUPID, LOVE or LOVE,SIMON

#6 - The Race Against Time movie

“If you stop, you die” - CRANK (2006)

The clock is ticking! For this genre the rules are simple: Time is running out. Are your characters going to miss a flight? Are they gonna be late for their son’s baseball game? Or is the poison slowly coursing through their veins going to kill them in under 5 minutes? The stakes are up to you, but the goal must be achieved fast! Often obstacles lie in the way of the characters in Race Against Time movies, most commonly distance (like ROAD TRIP, 1917 or PLANES, TRAINS AND AUTOMOBILES), but there are examples where characters are simply stuck in one soon-to-be-doomed place (like 127 HOURS, DUNKIRK or TITANIC). Maybe other lives are at stake (like SPEED or THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS) or maybe it’s your own (like SAW, CRANK or BACK TO THE FUTURE). Maybe your character is just gonna be late for school! (like FERRIS BUELLER’S DAY OFF) Or maybe the planet/universe/fabric of reality itself is about to be destroyed! (like AVENGERS: ENDGAME or DOCTOR STRANGELOVE). Time itself can even be an antagonistic force if you’re clever enough (like RUN LOLA RUN, PALM SPRINGS, INTERSTELLAR or 24). When you think about your favourite films, you’ll probably find there is some kind of narrative ticking clock hidden in there anyway - your job is just to bring that into the spotlight.Other examples include: M, BURIED, ARMAGEDDON, GONE IN 60 SECONDS, THE TAKING OF PELHAM ONE TWO THREE, HIGH NOON, ONWARD, APOLLO 13, GET HIM TO THE GREEK, TENET, GREENLAND, or AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH

#7 - The Sci Fi movie

“I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion. I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Time to die.” - BLADE RUNNER (1982)

In space, no one can hear you scream - so dance like nobody’s watching! This genre is your chance to get creative, to get cosmic, to get existential… or you can just tell a kick-ass story about aliens - that’s the beauty of Sci-Fi, you can be as deep or as surface level as you want, for every BLADE RUNNER there’s a RICK AND MORTY. Your film just has to be about science fiction.That doesn’t just mean aliens or space travel (like ALIEN, 2001: A SPACE ODYSSEY, GALAXY QUEST or INTERSTELLAR), your film can be built around a lofty mind-bending premise (like THE MATRIX, INCEPTION, LOOPER or ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND), or science run amok (like JURASSIC PARK, GODZILLA or EX MACHINA). Maybe it’s about other worlds or dimensions (like ANNIHILATION, READY PLAYER ONE or ANOTHER EARTH) or maybe it’s just about killer robots or giant monsters (like THE TERMINATOR, PACIFIC RIM, THE MEG, WALL-E or MONSTERS, INC). SciFi is all about the central concepts, and how your characters operate in the world around that central concept.Other examples include: MINORITY REPORT, THE QUIET EARTH, GATTACA, CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND, ET, PLANET OF THE APES, TRON, WAR OF THE WORLDS, THE THING, LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, WEIRD SCIENCE, SHORT CIRCUIT or STARSHIP TROOPERS

#8 - The Horror movie

“We all go a little mad sometimes” - PSYCHO (1960)

BOO! It’s time to blow the dust and cobwebs off this iconic genre and get spooky! Horror is simple: It has to be scary. That’s the only rule, beyond that you can do anything you want - why fix what ain’t broke when you can make something classical (like HEREDITARY, A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET or THE EXORCIST) , or maybe you’d like to dip into the world of horror comedy (like CABIN IN THE WOODS, SCREAM, SHAUN OF THE DEAD or JENNIFER’S BODY). Whether you want to spook us with terrifying ghost stories (like THE SHINING, THE RING, POLTERGEIST or THE SIXTH SENSE), chill us with grounded serial killer cases (like SILENCE OF THE LAMBS, HALLOWEEN or PSYCHO), or make us existentially fear the inevitable concept of death itself (like FINAL DESTINATION, HAPPY DEATH DAY or HELLRAISER) , Horror is a genre that everyone can make and enjoy - if they’re brave enough.

Other examples include: FRIDAY THE 13th, THE BLAIR WITCH PROJECT, 28 DAYS LATER, SUSPIRIA, MIDSOMMAR, THE GRUDGE, IT FOLLOWS, THE BABADOOK, INSIDIOUS, JAWS, A QUIET PLACE, CANDYMAN, GET OUT, ROSEMARY’S BABY or THE CONJURING

#9 - The Redemption movie

“Hope is a good thing, may be best of things and no good thing ever dies” - THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994)

Making up for wrong doings, lost opportunities or simple failures is one of the most complex human experiences there is, and for this genre we want you to bottle that complex human experience and make a movie out of it! Typically movies about redemption follow a protagonist who is trying to… uh.. Redeem themselves (like THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, THE COUNT OF MONTY CRISTO or PULP FICTION), though sometimes the central redemption at the heart of the film is not that of the hero (like TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD or STAR WARS: RETURN OF THE JEDI). Not to be confused with the Revenge movie, redemption is less about getting even and more about finding yourself, forgiveness and/or growing as a person.Other examples include: GOOD WILL HUNTING, LES MISERABLES, IN BRUGES, THE REVENANT, CAST AWAY, IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, GROUNDHOG DAY, LOGAN, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES, THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS, THE WRESTLER, V FOR VENDETTA, LEAVING LAS VEGAS or AMERICAN HISTORY X

#10 - The Adventure movie

"When I get home I shall write a book about this place... If I ever do get home." - ALICE IN WONDERLAND (1953)

You’ve landed on one of the most basic building blocks of storytelling! Your film must involve Adventure! Your film can really be about any kind of adventure, from the globetrotting (like INDIANA JONES or JAMES BOND), to the swashbuckling (like PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN or TREASURE ISLAND) to the intergalactic (like STAR WARS, STAR TREK or GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY). Maybe your protagonist is the chosen one (like HARRY POTTER or ALADDIN), or maybe they’re in search of a long lost treasure (like THE GOONIES or NATIONAL TREASURE), or trying to rescue someone from danger (like THE MUMMY or INTERSTELLAR). Whether it’s large scale or small scale, whether it spans the universe or spans the length of the street, we want you to lean into the Spielberg inside all of us and take everyone for the whirlwind 5 minute blockbuster they’ll never forget.Other examples include: TOY STORY, JURASSIC PARK, THE HOBBIT, LORD OF THE RINGS, THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN, LIFE OF PI, BACK TO THE FUTURE, ROMANCING THE STONE, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, THE WIZARD OF OZ, ALICE IN WONDERLAND, THE HUNGER GAMES or JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH

#11 - The Musical or Splatter movie

“Freely Flows the Blood of Those Who Moralize" - SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET (2007)

Lucky you! You get to choose! Will you take on the challenge of the coveted/dreaded Musical, or give into your backyard filmmaking roots and go the way of the Splatter?The Musical is easily the most successful genre in all of 48Hours - but it’s also undoubtedly the hardest. Your film can be about anything - it just has to feature songs! Classic musicals include GREASE, LES MISERABLES, GUYS AND DOLLS, HELLO DOLLY, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, CAROUSEL and CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, while more recent musical films include HAMILTON, MOULIN ROUGE, LA LA LAND, HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, HAIRSPRAY, THE GREATEST SHOWMAN and uh… CATS! While most musicals typically exist in a world where music is used as a narrative device and everyone magically breaks out into song and dance, there are more grounded examples of the genre where the songs are actually sung by the characters in the world of the film, like PITCH PERFECT, ONCE, A STAR IS BORN, BEGIN AGAIN, BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, 8 MILE, YESTERDAY or ROCKETMAN.Other examples include: MARY POPPINS, THE LION KING, ANNIE, INTO THE WOODS, FOOTLOOSE, TROLLS, SWEENEY TODD or EUROVISION SONG CONTEST: THE STORY OF FIRE SAGAIf you’re going to go with Splatter, you’re gonna need a lot of fake blood and guts, so get that red food colouring and corn syrup ready. Splatters tend to revel in the inherent dark comedy of ultra violence, so that’s what you should do too. Make heads explode, chop off limbs, make the rivers run red with blood… but make it fun! And make sure it’s all fake of course. Famous Splatter films include THE EVIL DEAD, NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD, THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE, HELLRAISER and THE FLY, while more recent examples of the genre include FINAL DESTINATION, MANDY, THE CABIN IN THE WOODS, SHAUN OF THE DEAD, HOT FUZZ, SLITHER and THE HUMAN CENTIPEDE.Other examples include: RAMBO, PIRANHA, STARSHIP TROOPERS, CHILD’S PLAY, KILL BILL, SAW, ROBOCOP, MACHETE, PLANET TERROR, THE GREEN INFERNO, BONE TOMAHAWK or BLADE

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