This document discusses genre theory and the concept of genre. It provides definitions of genre from various theorists like Warren Buckland who describes genre as categorizing films into groups based on their type. The document discusses how genre helps audiences and industries classify works and influences what is produced. It also notes that while genres provide structure and familiarity, deviations can confuse or please audiences. Several genre theorists are quoted discussing topics like genres borrowing conventions, genres being defined by repeated codes and conventions, and genres changing over time and contexts.

1. AndrewGoldman
Genre theory
“The word ‘genre’means‘type’or‘category’.Tostudya filmasa genre involvestreatingit,notasa
unique entity,butasa memberof a general category,asa certaintype of film.The aim….Is
therefore toclassify,ororganise,alarge numberof filmsintoasmall numberof groups.”– Warren
Buckland
 Genre helpsbothaudiencesandinstitutionstomake decisionsaboutwhattheywantto see
and whattheywant to make to supplythatdemand.
 If we recognise the genre of a text it enables us to feel at home and we gain enjoyment
from “spotting the conventions” (repetition) and making comparisons with other films
of the same genre
 However if a text deviates from the conventions it can confuse it, but at the same time
we enjoy seeing the rules broken, providing that the film-maker doesn’t go too far.
Genre and audiences
 Genre offers audiences a structure or framework enabling us to feel secure in our
knowledge
 Audiences like the anticipation of waiting for the predictable features and getting
involved in a text
 Audiences can influence genres by reviving them
 We are more advanced than audiences of the past simply because we’ve see more films
than anyone in the history of the media, so we can expect genres to be played with
Buckingham (1993)
 ‘Genre is not simply “given” by the culture: rather, it is in a constant process of
negotiation and change’
Rick Altman (1999)
 ‘There is no such thing as “pure” genre anymore. Genre is progressive, in that it will
always change.’
 He says that genre is surviving due to ‘hybridisation – or genres “borrowing”
conventions from one another and thus being much more difficult to categorise.’
Tom Ryall (1978)
 Ryall argues that genres are recognisable through the repeated use of generic codes
and conventions, as how we the audience know a horror film is a horror film
 He suggested that the types of conventions found in genres might be grouped within
the followingcategories: ICONOGRAPHIES; NARRATIVE; REPRESENTATIONS; IDEOLOGIES
 Iconographies = crucifixes in religious films, Narrative = guy and girl get together in
rom-coms, Representation = hot girl in horror film, Ideologies = Good vs bad in action
Goodwin
“Music videos are simply an extension of the lyrics” Illustrate, amplify, disjuncture

2. AndrewGoldman
Petula Clark – Downtown
60’s pop
Genre conventions
 Narrative story
 Minimal lip syncing
 Grand visuals – New York
 Instruments
 Shots relating to lyrics
Positives of genre theory
 Audience members know what to expect
 There’s a structure
 Everybody understands and uses it – covers whole of media
 Industry know how to developand market it
 We can challenge or conform to it
Negatives of genre theory
 You get lazy
 Stale, seen it all before
 It could restrict audiences, what they like
 Too much stereotype
Further Genre Theorists good quotes
 David Chandler: “Conventional definitions of genre are based on the idea that they
share particular convention of content e.g. themes or setting”
 Steve Neale: “Genresare instancesof repetitionanddifference,thisiswhatpleasure for
the audience isderivedfrom”
 John Hartley: “The same textcan belongtodifferentgenresindifferentcountriesata time”
 John Fiske: “Genre attemptstostructure some order intoa wide range of textsand
meaningsthatcirculate inourculture for the conveniencesof bothproducersand
audiences”
 Kate Wales: “Genre is….anintertextual concept”