genre

Introductionto Genre

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A genre has characteristicfeatures that are known to and recognised by audiences.

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A genre has characteristicfeatures that are known to and recognised by audiences

The same formula is applied time and time again.

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Westerns

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WesternsWar films

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WesternsWar filmsSoap operas

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WesternsWar filmsSoap operasCrime drama

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WesternsWar filmsSoap operasCrime drama

are obvious examples

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Game shows

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Game showsNews bulletins

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Game showsNews bulletinsDocumentaries

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Game showsNews bulletinsDocumentariesReality TV, etc.

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Game showsNews bulletinsDocumentariesReality TV, etc.

are also genres

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There are also subgenreswithin genres.

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There are also subgenreswithin genres.

Spaghetti westerns

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There are also subgenreswithin genres.

Spaghetti westernsHammer horror films

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There are also subgenreswithin genres.

Spaghetti westernsHammer horror filmsJames Bond films

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What makes genre attractiveto audiences?

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What makes genre attractiveto audiences?in

Expectations are fulfilledand they can predict whatwill happen next.

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Why do producers like towork within a genre?

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Why do producers like towork within a genre?

Communication with theaudience is instant…

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Why do producers like towork within a genre?

..as key components are easilyrecognisable

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Why do producers like towork within a genre?

..as key components are easilyrecognisable

“Stereotypes”

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Why do producers like towork within a genre?

…no need to set up characters and plot.

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The audience will know what

to expect

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For a genre to become established, certain conventions need to

become identifiable in the general consciousness

of the audience.

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The Key Componentsof Genre

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Key Components

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Key Components• Stock characters

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Key Components• Stock characters• Stock plots, situations, issues and themes

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Key Components

• Stock characters• Stock plots, situations, issues and themes• Stock locations and backdrops

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KEY COMPONENTS

• Stock characters• Stock plots, situations, issues and themes• Stock locations and backdrops• Stock props

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KEY COMPONENTS

• Stock characters• Stock plots, situations, issues and themes• Stock locations and backdrops• Stock props• Recognisable music

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Key Components

• Stock characters• Stock plots, situations, issues and themes• Stock locations and backdrops• Stock props• Recognisable music• Generic conventions

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Key Components

• Stock characters• Stock plots, situations, issues and themes• Stock locations and backdrops• Stock props• Recognisable music• Generic conventions• Familar narrative structure

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The Disadvantagesof Genre

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Disadvantages

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Disadvantages

• formulaic media textsin

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Disadvantages

• formulaic media textsin

• texts that do not fall into line have problems getting shownin

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Disadvantages

• formulaic media textsin

• texts that do not fall into line have problems getting shownin

• texts that are not easily categorised are difficult to

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Summary

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Summary

Genres function according to sets of

rules and conventions

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Summary

They respond to these rules and conventions by developing

formulas and patternsMedia Studies

Summary

in

Over time, these formulas and patterns may begin to dominate the way we the world about us.

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