By Shannon Webb

IMPORTANCE OF GENRE / CLASSIFICATION

WHAT IS GENRE?

Genre actually means kind or class. In the media, genre is used to group categories together. Genre is not actually fixed.

WHY IS GENRE USED?Producers and viewers all use genre in different ways, as the following:

Producers. – Makes it easier to create the story on a single line but also produce it in advertisement to attract and create an audience of viewers. Classifications are also easier to place.

Viewers- Makes it simple to know what they’re watching and what is to be expected.

WHY IS GENRE IMPORTANT? • Gives a pattern for construction, a template

• Genre pieces have an established audience who are easy to market to

• Fans of a genre know the codes shown.

• Clear channels for marketing and distribution — easily targetable audience

• Concentration of distribution resources — no point in trying to get e.g. football matches to a non-sports audience

• Provides a structure for retail outlets

CLASSIFICATIONS

Classifications are used based on age groups to make sure the film is watched by a suitable audience or viewer due to it’s content. These are as follow:

U

Is a suitable content for adults and children over the age of 4. This content only contains extremely mild language such as ‘Hell’. There is no topics based on drugs, sexual nature, nudity or violence. Some weapons can be shown through the film, but they’re never used.

PG

Is a suitable content for adults and children over the age of 8. This content can contain mild issues of domestic abuse or racism. There is also mild language such as ‘shit’. Any sexual reference shown or used in comedy Is mild also.

12A – 12Is a suitable content for children over the age of 12. Infrequent use of language can be used such as ‘Fuck’. Sexual nature or nudity is only shown briefly and not at much content. Violence can be shown without an high amount of blood or injuries and weapons that are not accessible by 12 years olds can be shown.

15

Is a suitable content for children over the age of 15. This content shows: strong violence, frequent strong language, sexual activity, strong verbal references to sex, sexual nudity, brief scenes of sexual violence or verbal references to sexual violence and discriminatory language or behaviour.

18

Is a suitable content for viewers over the age of 18. There is no restrictions in the media for over 18’s. Some adult viewers can still find the content offensive, but it is free to choose their own entertainment. The content contains: very strong language, strong portrayals of sexual activity, scenes of sexual violence, strong horror, strong blood and gore, real sex (in some circumstances), discriminatory language and behaviour.