This week in class we started thinking about our portfolio projects and the different genres that we could explore with them. My mind immediately went to the mystery genre as a possible genre and I started thinking of some different ideas I could showcase in my film opening. I want my character to fit the tone of the story so if I go with a mystery film opening I would like the character to be a witty teenage girl who gets sucked into a mystery. This would be fitting of the genre conventions because the protagonist tends to be a detective like figure who is able to unwrap the mystery or solve a crime.
Genre conventions, and examples of the mystery genre:
The Thursday Murder Club (2024)
Mysteries use many elements to create a tone of suspense so its almost like the viewer is finding clues and looking for suspects with the protagonist. generally, the tone is dark and as the name suggests; mysterious. Low key lighting is used to create more suspense and to hide things from both characters and audience alike.
The use of non-diegetic sound in the mystery genre builds creates tension and can be used to show what the protagonist, or even the unknown antagonist is feeling. Mysteries can be set anywhere but they tend to be set in a place that makes the crime look more menacing. For example, many would be set in Urban areas, or rural isolated areas (like a small town). These two settings are extremely different but have the effect of making the main character feel alone, either literally or figuratively.
Enola Holmes (2020)
One of the most vital parts of the mystery genre is the plot twists and clues integrated in the story. The audience is supposed to follow along with the discoveries, but they shouldn't figure out the crime before the protagonist. It is also common to have a "red herring" that could be a part of the mystery, but not the main antagonist.
Marketing practices:
The typical target audience for the mystery genre young adults and adults, ages 20-50. However, many films in the mystery genre have been marketed toward older teens as well as the general target audience. Conventionally this genre includes many dark tones that wouldn't be appropriate for young children, and would appeal more to say, a 25 year old man.
There are many different ways to market a mystery film, and the marketing strategy would have to depend on which film is being marketed. For example, "Enola Holmes (2020)" is marketed with many posters and trailers showing off the bright colors and the adventures that the main character will get into. But a film like "The Thursday Murder Club (2024)" is marketed with a more muted colors in their posters and the trailer is focused on the humor along with the mystery they're trying to solve. Despite their differences, some things in common. Such as, their symbolic use of objects that are utilized as a traditional mystery symbol. "The Thursday Murder Club" has a knife in a cake and "Enola Holmes" has a magnifying glass, these objects can be used to market the films because audiences know what their getting into.
Film samples:
One movie that embodies the film genre is "The Case of Mystery Lane (2024)." It follows a couple who save their marriage by solving crimes together. This is clearly a mystery movie because the main characters are working to figure out the who killed their instructor.
The Case of Mystery Lane (2024)
One TV show that encompasses the mystery genre is "Criminal Minds." Each episode follows a team of FBI profilers as they solve cases that range from murder to kidnapping. The reason why "Criminal Minds" showcases the mystery genre is because the characters are uncovering the truth in each episode relying on their wits and their training. This TV show also has a dark tone to it that matches what one would see in a traditional mystery movie.
Criminal Minds (2005-2020)
MasterClass. (n.d.). Essential elements of a mystery story. https://www.masterclass.com/articles/essential-elements-of-a-mystery-story
Mise-en-scène in the mystery/thriller genre [Slide presentation]. (n.d.). SlideShare. https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/mise-enscene-in-the-mysterythriller-genre/55798524
IMDb.com, Inc. (n.d.). [IMDb interest page: Music]. https://www.imdb.com/interest/in0000139/
Task 8: Audiences of murder mystery [Presentation]. (n.d.). Prezi. https://prezi.com/lfpgrmkhkb9f/task-8-audiences-of-murder-mystery/
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