The Best Blog Ever: Genre Research Blog Activity

Westerns

Western movies are probably one of my favorite genres of movies, so I wanted to research this genre so hopefully you will appreciate it too!

What is a Western? By definition, A Western movie is a film that's set in the American West and tells a story about the frontier's spirit, struggle, and demise. Westerns used to be very popular in the 1940s to 1960s and has been called the "Golden Age of the Western", however, the genre has gotten significantly less popular for a number of reasons, and now they aren't produced as often anymore. Some of the reasons include that Sci-Fi was rising in the 70s, which is ironic since the movie 'Star Wars: A New Hope', was marketed and labeled as a space Western. Another reason is that after years, people realized that the peak of Western cinema had already passed, and the bar was set too high. It was difficult to compete with what had already been done, but even today, popular film makers like Quentin Tarantino still try to revision and create their own Westerns.

'The Hateful Eight' by Quentin Tarantino is an example of a modern Western that was made in 2015 that includes many of the genre conventions of a Western film.

Genre conventions (content):

Westerns are typically set in the American West, including deserts, mountains, and frontier towns. The movies take place from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, capturing the era of westward expansion and the California gold rush. The character types include the hero, anti-hero, sheriffs, Native Americans and the villain. The hero is usually a gunfighter or cowboy who works outside of the law but follows their own personal morals.Women are typically portrayed in traditional roles like saloon owners or are depicted as love interests. Native American characters portrayal has changed as time has gone on but can vary from being warriors to hostile enemies.

For example, in the film 'Cheyenne Autumn' by John Ford, Native Americans are depicted as complex characters who are fighting injustice during the challenges of westward expansion.

A lot of the the time, Westerns include a common theme, which is the fight between good and evil. There is the moral question of right versus wrong, that often happens in confrontations that test the characters morality. Another convention that is commonly seen is conflicts between settlers and Indigenous people. Since a lot of Westerns take place during westward expansion, there is going to be conflict within the people that are encountered by Native Americans. Many stories also revolve around personal vendettas or seeking redemption. This leads to usually avenging something at the end of the film. The plot usually includes a crime being committed, and then chasing down the vigilante, and ending in revenge. Westerns will 99% of the time include cowboy hats, horses, guns, and some kind of town in the middle of nowhere.

An example of the hero's morality, is the ending of the movie by Sergio Leone's 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly'. In this scene, Blondie has Tuco hanging by a noose, but then shoots the rope to set him free. Although he ran away and left Tuco stranded, he could've killed him, but decided not to.

Genre Conventions (Production Technique):

There are a lot of different aspects that come to create the unique look of a Western films. First off, the Cinematography of a Western film is distinct and crucial to its storytelling. It is very common to see a wide shot in these movies because they show off the big and vast landscapes of the American frontier. This kind of shot also emphasizes how isolated the characters are, since usually, they are in the middle of nowhere. Another kind of shot that is typically used is the close-up shot. Close-ups are typically used to show off the character's emotions usually during a gunfight or standoff. The classic close-up of squinted eyes is famous and seen in many influential Westerns. And lastly, the classic Cowboy Shot is also very well known and was a shot that was created for its genre. It was invented in the 1930s by American filmmakers and named after the shots ability to show the character's gun holster in the frame.

This shot from Sergio Leone's 'Once Upon a Time in the West', includes the famous Cowboy Shot. This kind of shot composition is iconic to the genre.

Another very important aspect is sound. The use of diegetic sound makes up the soundscape of the movies and adds to the immersion that the viewer feels when watching them. The sound of footsteps, gunfire, wind, birds, are all essential to capturing the essence and the environment of the movie. The use of music is also crucial to the movie. The use of music guides the audiences responses during certain moments, and in a way, telling them the story that is happening along with scene. Music can also help create iconic film soundtracks. An example of this is the song 'The Ecstasy of Gold' by Ennio Morricone. Ennio created this song for 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly, but it has been performed at the beginning of every Metallica concert since 1983.

Set and costume design is also essential to the Western genre. The attention to detail in the costumes must be historically accurate to the time period. Costumes and sets in general all come together to create a more believable story. Using iconic symbols that are connected to the genre also help, which is why so many westerns incorporate saloons, dusty streets, and gunfights to help ground the story in its historical context.

This is a great example of the set design of a wild west theme park that was recreated in Spain.

Institutional Conventions- How is this genre marketed?

The target audience for westerns would include older people, but a lot of the younger population has developed a growing interest in these films. People that are interested in the historical fiction genre would definitely enjoy westerns as well, considering a lot of westerns include famous historical events like the Civil War, the California gold rush, etc.

The Western genre is marketed through using certain imagery that generates a sense of nostalgia for their older audience. However, modern themes are also used to appeal to new audiences since the whole 'good versus evil' theme has been around for a long time. Movie posters usually emphasize cowboys and landscapes to evoke the classic western feel. A lot of brown and neutral tones are used to represent the dry and hot desert that these movies usually take place in. Posters usually have the hero or biggest actor in the film as the main subject to attract audiences to see them. An example of this is Clint Eastwood or John Wayne.

The movie 'The Cowboys' starring John Wayne is an example of this.

Film Sample #1: Django Unchained

The movie is about a bounty hunter named King Schultz who finds a slave named Django and buys him to help track down some outlaws. After they finish the job, Django tells Schultz that he wants to find his wife, Broomhilda, who was sold away after they tried to escape. Schultz agrees to help but wants Django to be his partner. They learn that Broomhilda was sold to a plantation in Mississippi, so they come up with a plan to gain the trust of the plantation owner, Calvin Candie. Django and Schultz pretend to be rich buyers interested in "Mandingo" fighters. As they move through the plantation, Django shows off his skills while secretly plotting to rescue Broomhilda. Candie starts to suspect them, which leads to some violent confrontations. Django eventually reveals his true identity, confronts Candie, and ultimately gets his wife back. The movie focuses on Django's quest for justice and revenge, fitting the Western theme of a hero seeking vengeance. The good versus evil trope is a staple in Westerns and this movie incorporates it into the story. The film also features the landscapes typical of Westerns, by using the American South and its locations to contribute to its overall atmosphere.

Film Sample #2: Killers of the Flower Moon

This movie is another example of a new, popular, and modern Western. This movie follows the true story of the Osage Nation in the 1920s, who became incredibly wealthy after oil was discovered on their land. However, this wealth attracted bad attention, which lead to a series of murders targeting Osage members. As more people get killed, the FBI who is under the orders of Tom White, investigate the crimes. Tom successfully uncovers the truth behind the killings and the manipulation of the Osage's wealth. While some people are brought to justice, the end of the movie reminds the viewer that the Osage and other Indigenous groups still face struggles today. The story showcases the tension between Indigenous people and the white settlers, which is a common historical theme in Westerns. This movie helps show the darker side of American expansion which can sometime be romanticized or glorified in movies. The theme of greed, is prevalent to the story, and the characters' motivations are driven by a need for wealth at the expense of the Osage people. This reminds the audience of the classic Western narrative where characters often face moral battles. This theme of greed is also seen in other classics like, 'The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.'

Other examples:

1. 3:10 to Yuma