Genre Research: Mystery

 The last genre we are considering is mystery.  

Common Camera Angles: High and low angled shots are used most commonly in these types of films. They help establish the film's power dynamic. For example, a low angled shot establishes authority and power to the individual(s) it faces. A high angled shot accentuates the vulnerability of the victim(s) and establishes LACK of authority. 

Common Costumes: Detective and or work attire is common clothes that are worn and seen throughout mysteries. Things like suits, ties, and trench coats. 

Common types of editing are fade in, dissolve, and cutaways 

A common type of lighting is dark lighting. There will be multiple pitch-black scenes and light and/or dark scenes. Silhouetting is a very common lighting technique used in mysteries. 

Common types of makeup is little to no makeup. Occasionally, make-up is made to look like blood and bruising is used.  

Common settings include dark alleyways and places like hotels. Although with mystery, settings can have an exceptionally large variation, like any other genre. 

Common editing elements are flashbacks that give the audience a good backstory to better understand the film. 

Common sound aspects are implementing voiceovers into the film, commonly over backstories, to give a suspenseful setting. 

Elements of the genre I like and would use are definitely the lighting and silhouette aspects, as they are what give mystery films the best sense of suspense. 

Elements of the genre that do not appeal to me are definitely the use of alleyways as settings, as I think it is way over used and does not give the flare and creativity a mystery film should have. 

Some example films are Fear Street Part Three: 1666, Knives Out, and Scoob! 

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