1. Genre Theory
Genre Theory refers to the research and ideas surrounding genre. The
importance of audience in genre is high, as much of genre is about the
audience identifying with it and recognizing it. While the filmmakers are
also trying to break conventions of these genres in order defy
audience‟s expectations and create interest. Steve Neale says “genres
are instances of repetition and difference…”
“Conventional definitions of genres tend to be based on the
notion that they constitute particular conventions of content
(such as themes or settings) and/or form (including structure
and style) which are shared by the texts which are regarded
as belonging to them.” – Dan Chandler

2. Uses and Gratifications
A potential pleasure is one derived from merely identifying the
genre of a text (or film), because of your familiarity with it.
In this instance, I can relate this to my short film, which is a
spaghetti western, and if I create a recognizable and
conventional environment, my audience may be pleased
simply by identifying its genre. However, because of the
younger target audience, they will be less „familiar‟ with it,
which seems to be an important aspect of understanding
genre.

3. Steve Neale…
Argues instead that pleasure is derived from “repetition and
difference” and that there would be no pleasure without
difference.
Abercrombie took this further with his suggestion that pleasure
is derived from the observation of how the conventions of
genre are manipulated.

4. Escapism
Genre offers various emotional pleasures such as empathy
and escapism.
Escapism is particularly important for my story, because in a
way, it is about escapism. Creating a much more empathetic
main character since the audience can understand his place in
the story. He also strives for a sense of escapism, if somewhat
subtly. This is shown by his daydream, an escape from reality
in the form of a movie.

5. Tom Ryall‟s…
Idea that genre provides a framework of structuring rules,
which act as a form of „supervision‟ over the work is important
to the work I did on my short film.
The western genre has been defined so absolutely for decades
now and provides a solid and prepared structure. However,
using this as a basis, I still had to defy conventions to create
something more interesting.

6. My Short Film
Is a very specific genre and so understanding aspects of genre
and the thoughts of critics and theorists such as
Chandler, Neale or Altman are useful to me in establishing and
creating my genre.
As a western I need to allow the audience to understand and
recognize the world, but still draw in themes or conventions
that aren‟t typical of the genre, so that it is different and stands
out.

7. Problems with genre classification
Theorist and Critic Rick Altman (1999) came up with a list of points
he found problematic with genre classicfication .










a) Genre is a useful category, because it bridges multiple concerns.
b) Genres are defined by the film industry and recognised by the mass audience.
c) Genres have clear, stable identities and borders.
d) Individual films belong wholly and permanently to a single genre.
e) Genres are transhistorical.
f) Genres undergo predictable development.
g) Genres are located in particular topic, structure and corpus.
h) Genre films share certain fundamental characteristic.
i) Genres have either a ritual or ideological function.
j) Genre critics are distanced from the practice of genre.