Genres

1
Genre
Genre is the repetition and variation of familiar
conventions but it is not just a simple means of
labelling or classifying films. Genres change
over time and hybrids emerge.
2
Why is genre important to Film producers?
Genre is important to film producers as this
gives their film a category and it is also
useful so they are able to attract their target
audience by using codes and conventions. Without
this the film may not be able reach the target
audience and if there is someone who loves horror
and the trailer or movie poster doesnt state the
genre then this might not appeal to the audience.
3
Why is genre important to the audience?
Genre is important for the audience as if you
were going to see a film you like to have an idea
of what it is about and your not going to get any
unexpected surprises. Also they are able to
easily identify whether they like a specific
genre of films. Another is they are also able to
compare to others in the genre to see if it used
codes and conventions.
4
Genre

• Action
• Adventure
• Comedy
• Crime
• Drama
• Historical
• Horror
• Musicals
• Sci-fi
• Romance
• Fantasy
• Thriller

5
Codes And Conventions
For each genre there is specific codes and
conventions that are established to help
recognise that specific genre. Most are very
stereotypical conventions of what you would
expect when watching the film.
Horror blood villain heroic male or
female weapons dark colours scary settings undead
people/monsters bad weather Etc.
Science Fiction aliens spaceships rockets vibrant
colours high advanced technology abstract
outfits silver and metal objects futuristic
sound's lasers space setting Etc.
Comedy Comical character Well populated areas
Bright lighting Everyday living Normal people
Problematic characters Etc.
6
Hybrids

• Hybrids have evolved over the years growing more
  popular as this is the best way to engage a
  larger audience. There are many types of hybrids
  like
• Romantic comedy
• Action/adventure
• Comedy- horror
• Romantic fantasy
• Crime fantasy

7
How have genres changed over time?
Over time genres have changed quite dramatically
especially comedy as in the early 1900s, the
comedy genre relied heavily on the accidental
trip or over acted fight whereas in the comedy
films of today they are more relatable to
everyday life. Comedy is also one of the most
popular to hybrid as nearly every other genres
are able to include this apart from horror as
this is not the type of genre that are wanting to
make their audiences laugh.
8
Genre Theory
We looked at some media theorists and what they
had to say about genre and it made us think
about how these quotes relate heavily to the
types of films we see today. Genre may offer
various emotional pleasures, such as empathy and
escapism. We enjoy identifiying with characters
and imagining ourselves living out their
experiences.- Deborah Knight This reminds me
of the types of films we are able to relate to
whether it is something occurring our lives or
something that we may have witnessed in another's
life. This gives us the ability to understand the
character more in depth and relate to how they
may be feeling.