1. Genre

2. What is Genre? Genre means type or kind
It groups films together so that they can be distinguished from one another
Genres identify key elements that are shared within a group of films

3. Key elements of Genre Character Props Themes Narrative Settings
The key elements of genre can be connected to:
Character
Props
Themes
Narrative
Settings

4. Watch this Clip http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBPgEMfkx5c
What genre was the clip from & how can you tell this?
Are there any themes / stories which are typical of this genre?
What comments does the clip make about films of this type?

5. Expectation of enjoyment
The use of these elements allow a genre to be:
Recognisable
Predictable
Expectation of enjoyment
This allows the viewers/audience to enjoy the film they have chosen to see due to genre

6. Genre Conventions
They act as a basic framework and offer consistency within a group of films
They are not used in the same way every time
Conventions develop and mutate with time

7. Genre conventions can be used in a straightforward/traditional manner or they can parody or spoof them
They can also subvert the viewer’s expectations of generic conventions

8. Genre Audience
They need to experience both familiarity and difference within the films they see
If a genre film is to be successful, it needs to acknowledge both of these demands

9. Audiences need to see developments in the way genre elements are presented to them
Genre has to develop and adapt the way they use the conventions
They may even use conventions sub-consciously to acknowledge the viewer’s understanding of a particular genre

10. How Genres can Change?
The time in which a film is produced will influence the way in which its conventions are used
The attitudes of society and the ideas that come from this will change the way in which genre conventions are used

11. Sub-Genres Within main genres, there are smaller groups or sub-genres
These films share the basic conventions of the larger genre
They also have their own set of specific conventions

12. An Example Vampire Films Slasher Films Zombie Films
The Horror Genre:
Vampire Films
Slasher Films
Zombie Films
Demonic Possession Films
Ghosts and Poltergeist Films

13. Sub-Genres They often have core audiences
These audiences are fully aware of the conventions that should and will be used

14. Producers
Genre can be used by Producers to secure a good financial return on a film
A genre film becomes established through a Producers attempts to generate box-office attendance
If a first example of a particular style or type of film was unsuccessful, then it would be unlikely that the genre would continue to exist

15. Blockbusters They have a set of recognisable and predictable elements
They can be considered as a genre in their own right
Usually have; huge budgets, big-name stars, universal themes, huge action sequences and massive publicity

16. Action
It is characterised by its importance on explosions, fighting/violence,
Made popular in the 1980s
Has its own typical stars; Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, Jason Statham, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Angelina Jolie, Mila Jovovich

17. Horror Horror deals with an audiences fear of the unknown
This can range from the supernatural to serial killers
Typical star; Christopher Lee, Boris Karloff, Bruce Campbell, Peter Cushing, Bela Lugosi, Jamie Lee Curtis, Janet Leigh, Sigourney Weaver

18. Sci-Fi
It has been around since silent cinema and is known for its use of trick photography
Deals with science-based ideas, such as; time-travel, aliens, and robots
Typical star; William Shatner, Harrison Ford, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Cruise, Will Smith, Carrie Fisher, Sigourney Weaver

19. Romance
This is a genre where the central plot of a film revolves around the romance between the two main protagonists
Can also be referred to as the ‘Chick Flick’
Typical star; Richard Gere, Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Doris Day, Katherine Hepburn, Liz Taylor

20. Hybrid Genres
These are films that have used two or more genre conventions to target the widest possible audiences
It allows the producers to reach fans of more than one genre, therefore securing a bigger film audience

21. Romantic Comedy Also known as the ‘RomCom’
Focuses on humorous plotlines, with a central plot on romance
Typical star; Hugh Grant, Colin Firth, Katherine Heigl, Jennifer Aniston, George Clooney, Renee Zellweger

22. Rick Altman – Genre Theorist
Genre is comprised of two elements
The Semantic –. obvious signs and iconography that are established through the mise en scene
The Syntactic – Certain plots and themes
Altman claimed that genre can only be truly defined when it achieves a Syntactic likeness. Films with not only a similar iconography in the mise en scene, but also similar plots and themes.

23. Task What are the genre conventions that you would use?
Work in pairs to create a case study on 3 genres of your choice
Complete all boxes on the grid.
What are the genre conventions that you would use?
What stars would be considered for this genre?
Does it have sub-genres?
How would society see this genre?