How Do Narrative And Genre Features Create Meaning And Generate Response In A Film Clip From s'?
AS Film Studies
How do narrative and genre features create meaning and generate response in a film clip from Saw'?
As film audiences we have an expectation of particular conventions, which certain film genres work with and if these expectations are met, then viewing pleasure is certified. This is a result of our understanding of generic conventions, which derives from past experiences with films we have seen. The film industry understands this, but is however, constantly attempting to extend' these genres sometimes for artistic reasons and sometimes to secure financial revenue. The narrative of a film is the sequence of events which are organised in a structure to tell and develop a plot. It is just as important in function as the genre is, with regard to securing audiences and satisfying their expectations and audiences will have particular anticipations for a narrative's different segments. By this we can observe that a film producer is dependent
at least partly on the satisfaction of the film's target audience for the proceeds at the box office. This essay will discuss how a 10-minute sequence from James Wan's Saw' (2004), uses many conventions from a few different genres and it considers how the narrative ties in with this.
The film in itself illustrates so many of the conventional rules attached to a thriller, that we have learnt to accept as normal'. I would describe this sequence as a pastiche as it is not only thrillerish but there are also elements of detective genre. These are all traits within a horror movie. The clip begins with what we believe is detective Tapp carrying out surveillance on Dr. Gordon's house. He is filming their bedroom window and talking, but to whom we have no knowledge. As the camera moves from the television screen to a side wall, the frame reveals a compilation of images, of who we assume to be Dr. Gordon. It also shows that he has perhaps been recording phone calls...
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