2. Definition
A category of artistic composition, as in music or
literature, characterized by similarities in
form, style, or subject matter.
3. Examples of film genres
Action and Adventure – James Bond
Animation – Toy Story
Bollywood – Rangeela
Comedy – Hangover
Crime – 21 Jump Street
Documentary/Music Documentary – March Of The Penguins
Drama - Titanic
Family – Despicable Me
Horror – The Exorcist
Musical – Moulin Rouge
Period and Historical – Oliver Twist
Romance – 50 First Dates
Sci-fi – Star Wars
Sport – Rocky
Thriller – Side Effects
War - Saving Private Ryan
Western - The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
4. Why is genre important to
audiences?
Audiences choose films based on genre. Certain genres are
considered appropriate for certain ages and genres and peoples
choice of film are made from this eg chick flicks audiences are
mostly teenage girls.
Films have certain expectations and conventions it has to follow
according to its genre. This makes the audience aware of what
type of film it is and are more likely to go watch it if the genre is
apparent.
People identify with different genres, such as sci-fi fans tend to
go to conventions and dress up as their favourite characters.
Audiences tend to buy clothing which is used in the genre of
films they like.
It is important to know what the audience likes so you can
engage them and helps them relate to the story of the film.
5. Why is genre important to
producers?
Genre gives the producer a template to follow when producing
the film.
Genre attracts an audience and the producers then know what
they like within a film.
Producers can develop their skills when working with certain
genres.
Actors or stars can be associated with certain genres, for
example Will Ferrell is particularly known for his slapstick
comedy and audiences can recognise the genre when looking at
a poster with him
Fans of a genre know the codes and conventions so you don’t
have to reinvent all the time.
6. HYBRID
Hybrid genre is where 2 or more genres are put
together into one film such as comedy and horror.
Examples: -Horror Romance – Twilight
-Horror Comedy – Scary Movie
-Sci-fi Action – Paul
-Western Sci-fi- Cowboys and Aliens
7. Sub genres
Comedy
Black comedy/Dark comedy – disturbing subjects such as death and war etc.
Character comedy – drives humour from persona invented by performer. Most
comes from stereotypes
Observational comedy – makes fun out of everyday life
Alternative comedy – differs from traditional comedy, features other forms of
comedy
Physical comedy/Slapstick comedy – uses physical movements and gestures.
Prop comedy – comedy relies on ridiculous props
Topical comedy – headlining/important news and current affairs
Mockumentury – a fiction film that copies the conventions of a documentary
Sitcom – a comedy drama which develops over a long period of time, usually a
television series
8. Are genres fixed?
Genre isn’t fixed, it depends on what the
audience wants and likes to see. It is constantly
changing to reach demands.
