Research on Hybrid Genres
- The 'supernatural' is a sub-genre which will be apparent in the themes of our play. Usually in a supernatural genre, some of the following will appear: spirits, apparitions, Gods or Goddesses, ghosts, miracles and other supernatural occurrences. However, it is only recent films being made within the last few decades which have used supernatural to evoke emotions of fear and horror. The supernatural sub-genre has been submerged with horror to create an alternative effect from the usual conventions of a 'supernatural' film. Our film will incorporate themes from this new type of 'supernatural' sub-genre and will therefore, be symbolic of a new, progressive type of film genre. This is specific reference to the presence of vampires within our film and the supernatural semantics which this is bestowed to.
- When researching idealogical themes of an urban drama, it is clear that there are many negative connotations surrounding this genre. Typically, themes within this theme include drug use, crime, gang affiliation etc. Evidently, this is rather pessimistic which shows how the majority of events in an Urban Drama based in London are negative. In our own trailer, the concept of an overarching universal threat to the human race (vampires) will furthermore reinforce this depressing theme element in an Urban Drama. Viewers who are therefore intrigued by these oppressing themes in a film will consequently take a keen interest in our trailer.
- A successful hybrid which subverts the stereotype of a typical vampire film. Being a hybrid genre, TrueBlood is used as a social realist to exclaim how certain social groups can be isolated within society and discriminated against. TrueBlood tells the story of vampires who live in a society where they are able to live on synthetic blood as opposed to human blood and consequently, pose no threat to society. TrueBlood consequently subverts many stereotypes surrounding the 'vampire' genre. Typically, TrueBlood is therefore not a typical vampire, supernatural film. In reference to our teaser trailer and film, the concept of a vampire existing in an urban environment with a previous lifestyle of a criminal / gangster is rather unusual. In the same way that TrueBlood resulted in such success because they subverted the stereotype, we aim to have success through the extraordinary features and themes within our trailer.