This document discusses the concept of film genre and how it can be used to categorize and analyze films. It provides examples of some common genres like action, romantic comedy, and westerns, listing some of the iconic visual elements, narratives, characters, and other expectations that define each genre. Analyzing these genre-defining characteristics, called iconography, helps audiences recognize and understand different types of films.

1. Male and Female characters (normally mid to late twenties) USA Hand to hand combat Coffee shop Guns Sometimes comedy Explosions Revenge Car chases or collisions Physical strength (often unrealistic) Two opposing forces Workplace Best friend Car chases or collisions Love songs Loves me Loves me Not theme Slapstick aspect Devil may care attitudes

2. Male and Female characters (normally mid to late twenties) USA Hand to hand combat Coffee shop Guns Sometimes comedy Explosions Revenge Car chases or collisions Physical strength (often unrealistic) Two opposing forces Workplace Best friend Car chases or collisions Love songs Loves me Loves me Not theme Slapstick aspect Devil may care attitudes

3. Film Genre

8. Learn the meaning of the term “Genre” Apply the term to Film Look at how genre is used to analyse filmic aspects Understand iconography as a part of genre analysis Apply iconography to film clips Understand “Film Genre” and how it is used Objectives

9. Genre in Film Genre is a French word meaning “form” or “type” and can be used to categorise something. It refers to a number of specific styles or characteristics. When used in terms of films, it may include the conventions and expectations of how a film will look and what will be included. It can cover many aspects including: Narrative Characterisation Basic Themes Settings Filmic Techniques Iconography

10. The Romantic Comedy Genre especially for Jordon… Answer with this in mind!

11. Things to consider when you analyse the genre of a film: Narrative – what ? Similar sometimes formulaic plots and structures, predictable situations, sequences, episodes, obstacles, conflicts and resolutions. Characterisation– what? Similar types of characters sometimes stereotypes, roles, personal qualities, motivations, goals, behaviour. Analysis

12. Basic themes? Topics, social, cultural, psychological, professional, political, sexual and moral. Settings? Geographical and historical. Filmic techniques? Stylistic or formal conventions of camerawork, lighting, sound-recording, use of colour, editing etc. Analysis

13. Iconography A familiar stock of images or motifs, the connotations or meaning of which have become fixed. Primarily but not necessarily visual these can include: Sets, costumes and props Certain 'typecast‘ or iconic performers. Familiar patterns of dialogue, characteristic music and sounds. Analysis

14. When you look at some of the main genres, these elements become essential to an audience's understanding of the film. They will be able to recognise iconic or typecasts stars. Specific conflicts and narrative themes. And most obviously the iconography. Film Genre

15. A simple example of the iconography aspect of genre in use within film would be that you would expect to see: Singing In a Musical. Dancing Elaborate costumes Over-exaggerated characters A lead male A lead female Some sort of love story An element of comedy A break in the narrative for a song or dance, which may help our understanding of characters emotions etc. An Example of Iconography:

16. Now watching the clips from some of the main genres do the films conform to audiences genre expectations? List the iconography that you see, including, stars, characters, props, costumes and anything else you feel is relevant to genre recognition. Genre

17. How do you know what you’ve signed up for? Iconography –visual and sound signifiers http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxYdbGHzaTk&feature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUg4gWjOgXs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9pY8EWE06o

18. Action Guns Explosions Hand to hand combat Two opposing forces Physical strength (often unrealistic) Car chases or collisions Revenge Sometimes comedy

19. Romantic Comedy Male and Female characters (normally mid to late twenties) USA Coffee shop Workplace Best friend Love songs Loves me Loves me Not theme Slapstick aspect Devil may care attitudes

20. Westerns Horses (horse and carriage) Rolling hills / desert Cowboy hat Guns Shoot outs Saloons Old fashioned language Patriarchal society Crime / train robbery / stick-ups Groups of men / the lone male Tobacco and alcohol (fighting of demons)

21. This can be applied to all of the main genres. Others to consider are: War Family Drama Adventure Disaster movie Horror Science fiction Period / Historical Genre

22. Genre is important in the study of films as it helps to target specific audiences, or on the other hand can act as a signpost to audiences, helping them decide what to watch. The term genre can be applied to many Media forms, such as Radio Programmes, TV, Films, Websites and many more. Genre is not Media specific and is a word used throughout the English language and over many disciplines. To Conclude

23. Think of your favourite film or films and discuss what genre it fits into? List some features found in your favourite film / or expectations of your film, in terms of: Narrative Characterisation Basic Themes Settings Filmic Techniques Iconography List all the film genres you can think of with at least one expectation: Period drama – elaborate costumes / formal language / linear narrative Task

24. ? Any Questions