Within the film industry, viewers can be forgiven for overlooking the importance of generic settings. Across the globe, there are numerous go-to filming spots, including California and New York, but a film’s specific geography isn’t always that relevant to the story. In contrast, more generic backdrops, such as houses, are at the core of a big-screen production’s plot. So, let’s look at a few common settings that frequently appear in popular media.
Building Tension
There are many examples of generic backdrops being used to add tension and create a high-stakes environment. In recent times, increasing numbers of directors have used moving settings to build plots. Take Top Gun, for example. The 1986 film took place in San Diego, but it’s widely remembered as one of the best plane-based movies of all time. Within the Tony Scott development, there are various action scenes and aerial stunts that build tension, resulting in an adrenaline-fueled adventure throughout the 110-minute film. However, this generic setting isn’t only unique to planes. Plenty of other titles also use means of transportation as the backdrop, including the award-winning Life of Pi, which centers around boats.
That said, plenty of land-based establishments help to build tension, with one of the most common locations in popular media being casinos. Well-known productions like 21 and Casino Royale lean heavily on the high-stakes backdrop, as it continues to be a go-to destination within the 21st century. However, there are no guarantees that this will always be the case. Many casinos, including the popular Genesis Casino in Canada, have recently gone online, making them accessible from any location. At the platform, bettors can enjoy various sign-up bonuses that are usable across the mobile-friendly operator’s wide-ranging selection of titles, which includes Candy Island Princess and Super Striker. This appeal to newer online-first audiences does threaten the casino as a setting or plot device.
The Foundations for a Story
As touched on above, generic settings are arguably the most pivotal component within a film. While there are various avenues to explore, many directors use houses as the foundations for their stories. One reason for this relates to the obvious financial obligations involved in moving to a new location, as families can’t easily escape their fate. For example, What Lies Beneath is a 2000 supernatural horror film set in Vermont. At the start of the movie, the protagonists move into a new home, which turns out to be haunted. Without the house, this 130-minute title wouldn’t have the base for a story.
While this approach is popular within the horror genre, it has also transitioned into the superhero sector. The Dark Knight Rises is a prime example of using buildings to create the foundations. Aside from Wayne Manor, much of the story focuses on the infamous prison pit. From the outside, the prison is the Mehrangarh Fort in Rajasthan. However, this isn’t alone in focusing on buildings, with Mr. Blandings Builds his Dream House somewhat laying the foundations in 1948.
The Power of Generic Spots
There can be no doubt that story-building settings are of utmost importance within popular media. While geography is paramount to creating breath-taking visuals, the country, city, or state of choice generally doesn’t define a film. Instead, directors adopt a more refined approach, and the above examples prove that that pays dividends.
