Genre Theory
The word genre originates from France meaning 'a kind'
Like other aspects of media, genre has a set of codes and conventions which help identify what the audience is viewing in terms of content.
These conventions include, characters and story, set, technical and audio. All contributing to the overall effect that the genre illustrates.
Sub-genre and hybrid genre's also exist which tend to attract a narrowed down audience compared to genre as a whole. Many people are interested in sub genres as it can include two or more areas of film they like such as romantic comedies. Codes and conventions are mixed to create these hybrid to satisfy audiences pleasures.
Considering genre theory before choosing my final genre is essential as it may help my approach in choosing my final genre for my short film.
Henry Jenkins- American media scholar, professor of communication, journalism and cinematic arts.
Jenkins sees genre as constantly breaking rules. Takes on a Modern approach to genres and sees them as continuously developing and having a fixed structure.
He also believes that media will never exist in one from and through development of new technology and communication it will improve and begin to merge in new and exciting ways, despite possible changes in audience. When a media form, such as genre, establishes itself it can continue to grow.
He believes that many people see genre as a barrier that should not be crossed.
Hybridization: ‘genres should not be understand as rules or restrictions’ Jenkins express’ his idea that many see genre as a barrier that should not be crossed, however clearly demonstrates he believes this is not the case. “Hybridization is now a commonplace to maximise audience appeal but also to offer a unique selling point by appearing to break the rules’
This includes sub-genres (hybrid genres) such as crime comedy which offers more than one area of genre to an audience and because it offers this, it adds a unique selling point to attract a niche audience. Having one overall genre can often give too much variety within one area, comedy is common favourite for audiences however by introducing and growing sub-genres gives a narrowed choice for people to choose.
Rick Altman- semantic/syntactic approach.
- professor of cinema and comparative literature
Semantic approach- concerned with the conventions of genre that communicate to the audience such as characters, location, props, music, shooting style and other signifiers. For example in horror films you would find abandoned houses, hospitals, streets, dark lighting and often weapons are seen.
For my personal short film, I have chosen the genre of drama. Within this, the conventions include dull lighting, intense characters, accidents are common as well as drugs or crimes in certain areas of the genre. It is significant for me to ensure that I include multiple conventions that communicate what the genre is to my audience. As my target audience is going to be people who enjoy this particular genre, they will have to be familiar with what it is included in my short film and if they are familiar with particular conventions it will most likely allow them to enjoy the overall product more.
Syntactic approach- concerned with the relations between these elements and the structure of narratives in genres. Eg. In a romantic comedy use expect potential lovers to begin by not likening each other. Then a series of meetings/ problems (enigma) occur which result in their successful relationship.
By using either the semantic or syntactic approach, it enables us to produce a more advanced reading of any genre.
Daniel Chandler - restrictions of genre
he suggested that genre can become too restricted to all conventions in them, not allowing them to becomes diverse and change. Chandler's theory suggests that a genre can be restricted to the current conventions used. He states that most genre's overlap. Codes and conventions from the original genre
are lost when two genre hybridise.
Stephen Neale- British analytic philosopher and specialist in language.
Neale declares that ‘genres are instances of repetition and difference’ and added that ‘differences are absolutely essential to the economy of genre’
He believes that repetition alone is not enough to engage an audience.
Neale also strongly believes that pleasure is derived from ‘repetition and difference’ and without difference there wouldn’t be any pleasure for an audience. Some people may gain pleasure through observing how conventions of genre are manipulated.
People are also said to enjoy the stretching of a genre in new directions and the way in which they consequently shift our expectations.
Arguments: believes that Hollywood’s generic regime performs two inter-related functions
to guarantee meanings and pleasures for audiences
To offset the considerable economic risk of industrial film productions by providing cognitive collateral against innovation and difference
Neale declared that genre is constituted by ‘specific systems of expectations and hypothesis which spectators bring with them to the cinema and which interacts with films themselves during the course of the viewing.
John Fiske(1989) -
Genre is a way of categorising texts. Texts are divided into categories based on common elements. ‘Genre attempts to structure some order into the wide range of texts and meanings that circulate in our culture for the convenience of both audience and producers.
‘To structure some order’ - the theory is concerned about how genre creates pattern and constantly follows the genre’s conventions it is known for.
This repetition allows audiences to recognise events within the film and they often associate it with events that may occur in real life.
Like other aspects of media, genre has a set of codes and conventions which help identify what the audience is viewing in terms of content.
These conventions include, characters and story, set, technical and audio. All contributing to the overall effect that the genre illustrates.
Sub-genre and hybrid genre's also exist which tend to attract a narrowed down audience compared to genre as a whole. Many people are interested in sub genres as it can include two or more areas of film they like such as romantic comedies. Codes and conventions are mixed to create these hybrid to satisfy audiences pleasures.
Considering genre theory before choosing my final genre is essential as it may help my approach in choosing my final genre for my short film.
Henry Jenkins- American media scholar, professor of communication, journalism and cinematic arts.
Jenkins sees genre as constantly breaking rules. Takes on a Modern approach to genres and sees them as continuously developing and having a fixed structure.
He also believes that media will never exist in one from and through development of new technology and communication it will improve and begin to merge in new and exciting ways, despite possible changes in audience. When a media form, such as genre, establishes itself it can continue to grow.
He believes that many people see genre as a barrier that should not be crossed.
Hybridization: ‘genres should not be understand as rules or restrictions’ Jenkins express’ his idea that many see genre as a barrier that should not be crossed, however clearly demonstrates he believes this is not the case. “Hybridization is now a commonplace to maximise audience appeal but also to offer a unique selling point by appearing to break the rules’
This includes sub-genres (hybrid genres) such as crime comedy which offers more than one area of genre to an audience and because it offers this, it adds a unique selling point to attract a niche audience. Having one overall genre can often give too much variety within one area, comedy is common favourite for audiences however by introducing and growing sub-genres gives a narrowed choice for people to choose.
Rick Altman- semantic/syntactic approach.
- professor of cinema and comparative literature
Semantic approach- concerned with the conventions of genre that communicate to the audience such as characters, location, props, music, shooting style and other signifiers. For example in horror films you would find abandoned houses, hospitals, streets, dark lighting and often weapons are seen.
For my personal short film, I have chosen the genre of drama. Within this, the conventions include dull lighting, intense characters, accidents are common as well as drugs or crimes in certain areas of the genre. It is significant for me to ensure that I include multiple conventions that communicate what the genre is to my audience. As my target audience is going to be people who enjoy this particular genre, they will have to be familiar with what it is included in my short film and if they are familiar with particular conventions it will most likely allow them to enjoy the overall product more.
Syntactic approach- concerned with the relations between these elements and the structure of narratives in genres. Eg. In a romantic comedy use expect potential lovers to begin by not likening each other. Then a series of meetings/ problems (enigma) occur which result in their successful relationship.
By using either the semantic or syntactic approach, it enables us to produce a more advanced reading of any genre.
Daniel Chandler - restrictions of genre
he suggested that genre can become too restricted to all conventions in them, not allowing them to becomes diverse and change. Chandler's theory suggests that a genre can be restricted to the current conventions used. He states that most genre's overlap. Codes and conventions from the original genre
are lost when two genre hybridise.
Stephen Neale- British analytic philosopher and specialist in language.
Neale declares that ‘genres are instances of repetition and difference’ and added that ‘differences are absolutely essential to the economy of genre’
He believes that repetition alone is not enough to engage an audience.
Neale also strongly believes that pleasure is derived from ‘repetition and difference’ and without difference there wouldn’t be any pleasure for an audience. Some people may gain pleasure through observing how conventions of genre are manipulated.
People are also said to enjoy the stretching of a genre in new directions and the way in which they consequently shift our expectations.
Arguments: believes that Hollywood’s generic regime performs two inter-related functions
to guarantee meanings and pleasures for audiences
To offset the considerable economic risk of industrial film productions by providing cognitive collateral against innovation and difference
Neale declared that genre is constituted by ‘specific systems of expectations and hypothesis which spectators bring with them to the cinema and which interacts with films themselves during the course of the viewing.
John Fiske(1989) -
Genre is a way of categorising texts. Texts are divided into categories based on common elements. ‘Genre attempts to structure some order into the wide range of texts and meanings that circulate in our culture for the convenience of both audience and producers.
‘To structure some order’ - the theory is concerned about how genre creates pattern and constantly follows the genre’s conventions it is known for.
This repetition allows audiences to recognise events within the film and they often associate it with events that may occur in real life.
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