The document discusses genre theory in film. It states that genres are dynamic and change over time rather than being fixed forms. Genres are defined by structural and thematic criteria. Genre theory examines how texts are placed within cultural and historical contexts. Iconography, or visual symbols, help define genres. For example, westerns can be identified by symbols like cowboys and desert landscapes. The document also discusses how genres evolve to reflect changes in society and audience tastes. Producers can manipulate audience expectations of genres to attract viewers or create new subgenres.
2. Genre Theory
Traditionally, genres (particulalry literary
genres) tended to be regarded as fixed
forms, but contemporary theaory
emphasises that both their forms and
functions are dynamic. David Buckingham
argues that "genre is not... simply "given"
by the culture: rather, it is in a constant
process of negotiation and change' -
Buckingham (1993) The word 'genre'
means 'category', 'group', or 'type'. It is
hard to cateogirse films into one genre as
the boundaries are unfuzzy and not clear.
Genres aren't static, they change and
evolve. Genre is a "recurring type or
category of text, as defined by structural
and thematic criteria". - David Duff
3. "Genre theory places a text within a
text, and the context in which it's
consumed". "It is used in studying 'Non
literary texts; notably film and media" -
David Duff. Iconography can often help
define a genre. Iconography is the study
where visual images and symbols are
used to interpret things. For example:
You could easily identify a western film
by the cowboys on screen, cowboy
hats, deserts, saloons...etc. This would
be stereotypically speaking of course,
however a lot of the old westerns did
follow this pattern and were easily
identified.
4. Genre allows audiences and institutions
to make active desicions on what they
want to watch and in result of this, what
they can make to quench the demand o
the audience/viewers. Duff suggests
that each genres has it's own
conventions which evolve, and keep
evolving. Unlike literary views, this is
not fixed and does change. Change in
genre reflects the change in society. As
it evolves we see a change int he tastes
of the consumers. Films are made for
entertainment, and if the taste of the
audience changes then the angle in
which they approach satisfying the
needs of the consumer will then
change.
This knowledge of conventions can be
positive and negative. It can work to
the advantage of producers as it can
lead to future passive viewing of films,
however, they can also use these to
help as they can manipulate the
conventions by the reactions and
expectations of the audience and
make new sub genres.
5. Genre theory quotes
"Genres are instances of repetition and difference ... difference is
absolutley essential to the economy of genre: mere repetitions would
not attract an audience" - Steve Neale 1980. Basically, if all films were
the same and based off the same codes and conventions, this would
result in a niche audience. If you were to produce a film you would try
and cover a big audience so the film can be well viewed and well
received. Relating this back to my film, Although we have a target
audience and it falls under a couple of sub genres, we didnt want it to
be like a normal stereotypical war film. Due to this, we used subgenres
to infuse different elements of genres and their conventions.
