Genre refers to categories of creative works defined by common elements. Genres help audiences and creators understand what types of works exist and determine what they want to see or create. However, genres are not fixed and change over time as societies and values change. While genres provide a common framework that is widely understood, they can also be restrictive and fail to appreciate the artistic qualities of works that blend genres or experiment outside of conventions.
1. SectionA 18
Genre Theory
Genre isthe divisionandmakingof categoriesdependingoncommonelements.
The word ‘genre’meanstype of category.
Genre helpsaudiencesandinstitutionstomake decisionsaboutwhattheywanttosee and what
theywantto make to supply thatdemand.
Buckingham1993
Traditionally,genrestendedtobe regardedasfixedforms.
‘Genre isnot simplygivenbythe culture:rather,isitina constant processof negotiationand
change’
Changesingenre reflectschangedinsocietyandourvalues.
Goodwin 1992
Music videosare simplyanextensionof the lyrics
5 waysto analyse amusicvideo;4. Relationof visualstosong- Doesyourvideoillustrate (whatwe
see iswhat issaid),amplify(generalfeelingisshownnotwhatissaid) and cause disjuncture
(doesn’tmatchlyricsatall)
6 featuresof a musicvideos;1.Music videosdemonstratesgenrecharacteristics
Ryall 1978
Genresare recognisablethroughthe repeateduse of genericcodesandconventions.
Typesof conventionsfoundingenresmightbe groupedwithinthe followingcategories;
-Iconographies (symbolicformsassociatedwiththe genre)
-Narrative (structure,open/closed)
-Representations (characters/stereotypes)
-Ideologies (beliefsandideasof the ideal concept,themes)
Altman1999
‘There isno suchthingas pure genre anymore.Genre isprogressive,inthatitwill alwayschange.
Audiencesare tiredof the same formulaandgenericconventionsare inthe past.
‘Hybridisation- orgenresborrowingconventionsfromone anotherandthusbeingmuchmore
difficulttocategorise’
2. SectionA 18
Strengths Weaknesses
- Everybodyusesitandunderstandsit.
- The potential forthe same conceptto be
understoodbyproducers,audiencesand
scholarsmakesgenre a useful critical
tool.
- It isaccessibilityasaconceptalsomeans
that itcan be appliedacrossa wide
range of traits.
- Genrescan gettiredand be stiflingfor
creatorswho wantto experiment
outside the rigidboxessetoutforthem.
- By tryingto pigeonhole everythinginto
genre specificboxesmanyfail tosee the
art behindthe product.
