Genre, Trailer Planning & Analysis

Definition; Genre is a French word that means sort or style. It is often used to classify different types of art. In the context of film it means a motion picture category based on similarities in either the narrative elements or the emotional response to the film (namely, serious, comic, etc.). Most theories of film genre are borrowed from literary genre criticism. Genres include comedy, drama, horror, western, romance, thriller, war, family, action; with new sub-genres being created to accommodate the ever expanding film industry. Most movies don't fit only under one genre. Ex. Shaun of the Dead is a rom-zom-com (romance, zombie, comedy) and Dead Snow is a horror/comedy.

The Importance of Genre

Without specifying a genre, a film would be arguably less popular and known about as people that thrive off watching particular genres wouldn't be attracted to a film, where as if a film was marketed as a Sci-fi you would obviously see an interest from the people that typically enjoy 'sci-fi' movies. If the audience didn't know what particular genres they enjoyed the most they would struggle knowing whether they like the look of a film or not. [1]

Trailer idea;

A girl starts seeing her double and everyone think she's losing her mind. As bad things start to happen to people around her and they blame her for it, she sets out to find the one impersonating her.