Since the 1980s, writers and directors have been experimenting with mixing genres.
Each genre represent particular conventions for editing. For example, the horror genre relies on a high degree of stylization, using subjective camera placement and motion. Because of the nature of the subject matter, pace is important.
Although film noir also highlights the world of the nightmare, it tends to rely less on movement and pace. Indeed, film noir tends to be even more stylized and more abstract than horror genre. Each genre relies on visual composition and pace in different ways. As a result, audiences have a particular emotional expectations when viewing a film from a particular genre.
When two genres are mixed in one film,
each genre brings along its conventions. This can sometimes make an
old story seem fresh. However, the results of editing of these two
sets of conventions can be surprising. At times, the films are more
effective, but at other times, they simply confuse the audience.
As a result, Blue
Velvet is a less stylized and less cerebral than the
typical film noir work. Lynch's experiment in mixed genre is very
effective. The story seems new and different, but its impact is similar
to such conventional horror films as William Friedkin's The
Exorcist (1973) or David Cronenberg's Dead
In MIXING GENRES Ken Dancynger even focus on
Other mixed genre films in the 80s are….