Research:Narrative Themes- Miss Begum

 

Narrative Themes

 

 

What are themes? Why are they important to identify for the audience?

 

A theme is an idea that reoccurs in films such as money, violence and death. The theme of a film should be conventional to the film genre in order for it to meet the audiences expectations, an example is that violence is conventional to a thriller film, therefore the audience would expect to see this visible when watching a thriller film. Themes are important for an audience to identify in order for them to respond in the appropriate manner. It also allows them to immediately identify the key events that may take place.

 

 

Themes and genres- discuss how themes are dependent on genres and why?

 

Themes are dependent on genres because the audience should be able to predict what to expect when watching thrillers and therefore the themes should fit the genre to meet the audiences expectations. Without a specific genre it is impossible to make themes as there is no clear narrative. Different genres consist of different themes however some similar genres have the same themes presented, for example:

• Action genre: violence, good vs evil, 
• Thriller genre: Drugs, money, murder, kidnap, violence, religion.
• Horror genre: death, murder, violence and weapons
• Crime genre: violence and weapons, death, money, drug use and murder. 
• War genre: violence and weapons, death, 
• Romantic comedy genre: Relationships, separation, divorce, wedding, family
• Action adventure genre: Ransom, corruption, disaster, good vs evil

 

 

Common themes and in thrillers and why?

 

Momento                                      

 

• Crime    
• Desperation 
• Trust      
• Death  
• Deceit   
• Mystery
• Loyalty                 
• Friendship        
• Vengeance                

                             

Fast and furious

• Crime
• Vengeance
• Love
• Death
• Weapons and violence
• Good vs. evil
• money
• trafficking 

 

 

 

 Psycho

 

• Obsession
• Death
• Violence
• Psychological weapons and violence

Girls against boys

• Friendship
• Age  
• Addiction
• Drugs
• Violence
• Weapons
• Obsession
• Rape

 

 

                                 
                                    

                                                       

Impact of themes on the audience

 

Before watching a film the audience are aware of the genre therefore know have an idea of what themes to expect and watch the film according to the themes that interest them. Particular themes such as death and murder are likely to have a negative impact on the audience as they affect the audience psychologically, the themes are likely to create tension and anticipation from the audience. 

Conclusion

 

Overall, the themes are based on the film genre and create responses from the audience such as emotions and suspense. When creating my thriller film  I will choose themes that are associated with the thriller genre such as death, crime, vengeance and violence as they are conventional to the genre and create tension and suspense from the audience.