Western Genre
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Transcript of Western Genre
Western Genre
Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements
• Setting• Narrative• Iconography• Characters• Style
Setting
• Western films generally are set around the late 1800’s, early 1900’s.
• Typically set in American Old West in a dusty lonely desert.
• Remote towns with saloons or bars are common.
Narrative• They are often set around themes such as:• East vs. West• Culture vs. Nature• Community vs. Individuality• Settlers vs. Indians• Train vs. Horse
• The narrative also usually focuses around revenge, defense, rescue or honour and reputation and involves gunfights and horse or train chases.
Iconography
• In western films we typically expect to see cowboy hats, guns, horses, dusty lonely roads, sheriff badges, jails etc.
• The landscape is made up of deserts, mountains, rivers and valleys.
• Towns are made up of old wooden, traditional buildings.
Characters
• The main character of a western film is usually the hero and, like most of the characters, is a cowboy.
• They are often a person from outside the community and are driven by justice or revenge.
• Villains and Sheriffs also appear frequently in western films, but not usually as the main character.
• Predominantly male characters.
Style
• Western films have a yellowy, orange look to them, known as a sepia effect.
• They also use many close ups of people and objects, especially in gun fight scenes. For example, close ups of the characters eyes and guns may be used.
• Low angle shots are common as well to show a characters status and authority.