RESEARCH: NARRATIVE THEMES AND PLOTS - MISS BEGUM

What are themes? Why are they important?

Themes are the bigger ideas explored within the narrative and a point in the story that can be easily inferred, or one has to explore the theme by reading in between the lines and the story more. They are usually described by one word. A similar theme will constantly reoccur in the same genre because of the conventions and traits that each type of film has to maintain. However what makes a movie to stand out is the composition and combination of these themes and how they’re explored and represented. Themes are important because they establish the genre and narrative as well as impact the audience. This is because different themes will evoke many reactions and emotions from the viewers, making them more engaged with the movie.

 

Themes in Different Genres.

Different genres will use different themes because of the associations that each genre has. In addition the film should meet the audience’s expectation by including specific themes. All genres are dependent on themes because these are the features that help to distinguish the film types which is important as an audience should be able to infer what the film will be about. when similar or same themes occur in two different genres a sub-genre is then created. These are some of the themes that constantly occur in different genres:

HISTORICAL GENRE:

·         Ownership

·         Battle

·         Honor

·         Hierarchy

·         Power

ADVENTURE GENRE:

·         Mystery

·         Treasure

·         Journey

·         Partnership

COMEDY GENRE:

·         Humor

·         Family

·         Love

·         Household

·         Everyday life

·         Friendship

ROMANCE GENRE:

·         Love

·         Passion

·         Devotion

·         Relationship

·         Family

SUPERHERO GENRE:

·         Good vs Evil

·         Supernatural

·         Power

·         Authority

·         Battle

·         Corruption

ACTION GENRE:

·         Good vs Evil

·         Violence

·         Authority

·         Law

·         Corruption

 

Themes in the Thriller Genre:

Themes in thrillers tend to be similar in each film because of the codes and conventions that thrillers have to follow to be classified as a thriller. These are some Thriller films with their sub-genres and the themes that occur in these movies:

Shutter Island - Mystery Thriller

·         Mystery

·         Murder

·         Loneliness

·         Desolation

·         Threat

·         Disappearance

Leon the Professional – Action Thriller

·         Murder

·         Assassination

·         Friendship

·         Courage

·         Dominance

·         Law

·         Morality / priorities

The Usual Suspects- Crime Thriller

·         Murder

·         Money

·         Lies

·         Crime

·         Authority

·         Religion

The Forgotten- Mystery Thriller

·         Secrets

·         Denial

·         Corruption

·         Faith

·         Crime

·         Supernatural

The Butterfly Effect- Psychological Thriller

 

·         Childhood

·         Relationship

·         Death

·         Regret

·         Change

 

Impact of themes on audiences:

Themes have a massive influence on the audience because they allow to convey the mood of the film as well as help to establish the narrative. This is important as often the viewers are very selective with their film choices and will only view something they are intrigued or interested in. Therefore themes should be easily explored in the begging of the film or previews to help establish the audience as well as target the right spectators. Moreover themes will help to create the narrative and only an interesting story and mix of themes will attract the audience and have an impact on them whether causing an emotional or physical response.

Analysis of the different themes in a chosen thriller extract:

I have decided to analyse in depth the different themes that occur in this opening sequence from the spy thriller, Skyfall. As the scene begins the theme of failure can be explored by the way that the character is falling down and cannot prevent it which shows that he has disappointed himself or someone else and cannot restore his honour. On the other hand the theme of betrayal can be inferred by the way he is pulled down by a metaphorical hand which could be a symbol for someone who has let him down. As the images progress the spectators are able to apply Barthes’ theory of semiology and cultural references which is evident in this opening when the idea of heaven and hell can be inferred; implying the Christian culture/ religion who strongly believes in afterlife. The representation of heaven is shown by the blue sea which was evident just a moment ago and hell is the red grave yard proposing pain and evilness. The idea of heaven and hell suggests the theme of ‘good vs evil’ which is very common in thriller genre. Furthermore the theme of morality is explored in a significant way which is shown when the background is just in black and white proposing that the world is divided in good and bad and we constantly try and pick the correct choices which links with the idea of ‘good vs evil’ as well. Lastly the subject of apocalypse is explored in the sequence, evident when the red sky is falling showing that the world is ending. The idea of red sky is an oxymoron because sky is connoted with blue and white which are calm and heavenly colours. Overall from this sequence it is very obvious that the director was heavily questioning the idea of morality, values and choices because of the common juxtaposition that is used throughout and provokes the audience’s mind.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, looking at the different themes amongst the different genres and particularly in thrillers was highly beneficial. This is because I am now confident in the different possible subjects that I will be able to explore and how these will convey the genre and help to establish my spectators. I found this task very useful since I will have to choose my own themes for my sequence. From looking at the Skyfall opening and other examinations I have realized that the theme of ‘good vs evil’ is very common. However this idea is usually disguised in different metaphors in order to make the sequence interesting and avoid repetition. For example in Skyfall opening the same theme was explored multiple times but the viewers had to read into the context more in order to understand the real meaning. This allowed to put emphasis on the subject and reinforce it to the audience. From this post I have decided that these are the themes I plan to use:

·         Mystery because I want to intrigue my spectators and make them feel like they are the ones solving the mystery

·         Religion as I am planning to have a religious ritual scene.

·         Supernatural because I want to explore some of the unfamiliar characters such as ghosts or evil nymphs.