Media Theory

Genre

GenreWhat is Genre?Genre means kind or typeList as many genres as you canIdentify characteristics of each

genre

GenreGenres have characteristic features that

are known to and recognised by audiences

This ‘formula’ is reproduced again and again

E.g. in a Western we see similar characters, situations and settings

GenreAudiences and GenresWhy do audiences find genres satisfying?Audiences develop an understanding that

certain expectations may be fulfilled and they may find pleasure in predicting what will happen next

GenreInstitutions and GenreProducers of generic narratives depend

on a certain amount of immediate communication with the audience

They want the narrative to be easily comprehensible

Genres that use key components that are easily recognisable are particularly important

GenreAudiences know what to expect from a

genre but at the same time want some variations to prevent dissatisfaction and even boredom

Thus any text in a genre is a combination of the familiar and the unexpected

GenreKey Components of GenreSTOCK CHARACTERSSTOCK PLOTS, SITUATIONS, ISSUES

AND THEMESSTOCK LOCATIONS AND BACKDROPSSTOCK PROPS AND SIGNIFIERSMUSIC AND SOUNDSGENERIC CONVENTIONS

GenreProblems of genreActually defining a genre is inherently

problematicE.g. What is the difference between an

Action/Adventure film and a Thriller?Or between a thriller and a Horror film?Is Seven a Thriller, a Horror film, or a Film Noir?Is Film Noir a genre?

GenreWe can hope to engage with these

problems by considering a more advanced approach to Genre Theory

Rick Altman in his book Film/Genre has proposed what he calls the:

SEMANTIC/SYNTACTIC APPROACH

Genre Using this approach we need to consider

genre in two ways:

1. SEMANTIC This is concerned with the conventions of

the genre that communicate to the audience such as characters, locations, props, music, shooting style and other signifiers

GenreE.g. In a Western we would expect to see:HorsesGunsHatsWildernessNative AmericansEtc

Genre2. SYNTACTIC This is concerned with the relations between

these elements and the structure of narratives in genres

E.g. In a romantic comedy we expect the potential lovers to begin by not liking each other

There are then a series of meetings/problems (enigmas) which culminate in their successful relationship

GenreBy employing this

SEMANTIC/SYNTACTIC approach it enables us to produce a more sophisticated reading of any genre

However, this approach can be developed further by also considering audiences and institutions

GenreAltman expanded his approach to include

these elements by proposing a SEMANTIC/SYNTACTIC/PRAGMATIC approach

This latter aspect includes institutions and audiences

Genre1. INSTITUTIONS Genre as a mode of production Institutions (Film Studios) will produce

films in genres E.g. in a certain year they will produce: A number of films in the following genres: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi, Horror, Rom-

Com, Teenage Comedy etc

GenreThis mix of genres is to ensure that the

maximum possible audience is catered forCertain genres come into and out of favour

due to the perceived audience response E.g. The Western and the musical have all

but disappearedThe horror film has come back into fashion

Genre2. AUDIENCES Audiences may read genre texts in a variety of

ways They may, in effect, create and re-create

genres Thus through audience responses new genres

are created E.g. the new martial art films from Japan, Hong

Kong etc which have become very popular in the USA and UK

Genre

Also it is necessary to consider how Web 2.0 has impacted on audiences – user generated content

Audiences can now be active consumers of texts and can manipulate genres and generic conventions for their own pleasures

E.g. The Shining reworkedhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=KmkVWuP_sO0&feature=related

Genre

Consider also Michael Wesch’s video essays describing the impact of Web 2.0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPAO-lZ4_hU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmP4nk0EOE

GenreAltman’s

SEMANTIC/SYNTACTIC/PRAGMATIC approach can also be applied to texts such as Thrillers and Pop Promo Videos

How might this be applied to your AS or A2 coursework?