Introductionto Genre

Media Studies

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

Media Studies

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

The same formula is applied time and time again.

Media Studies

Westerns

Media Studies

WesternsWar films

Media Studies

WesternsWar filmsSoap operas

Media Studies

WesternsWar filmsSoap operasCrime drama

Media Studies

WesternsWar filmsSoap operasCrime drama

are obvious examples

Media Studies

Game shows

Media Studies

Game showsNews bulletins

Media Studies

Game showsNews bulletinsDocumentaries

Media Studies

Game showsNews bulletinsDocumentariesReality TV, etc.

Media Studies

Game showsNews bulletinsDocumentariesReality TV, etc.

are also genres

Media Studies

There are also subgenreswithin genres.

Media Studies

There are also subgenreswithin genres.

Spaghetti westerns

Media Studies

There are also subgenreswithin genres.

Spaghetti westernsHammer horror films

Media Studies

There are also subgenreswithin genres.

Spaghetti westernsHammer horror filmsJames Bond films

Media Studies

What makes genre attractiveto audiences?

Media Studies

What makes genre attractiveto audiences?in

Expectations are fulfilledand they can predict whatwill happen next.

Media Studies

Why do producers like towork within a genre?

Media Studies

Why do producers like towork within a genre?

Communication with theaudience is instant…

Media Studies

Why do producers like towork within a genre?

..as key components are easilyrecognisable

Media Studies

Why do producers like towork within a genre?

..as key components are easilyrecognisable

“Stereotypes”

Media Studies

Why do producers like towork within a genre?

…no need to set up characters and plot.

Media Studies

The audience will know what

to expect

Media Studies

For a genre to become established, certain conventions need to

become identifiable in the general consciousness

of the audience.

Media Studies

The Key Componentsof Genre

Media Studies

Key Components

Media Studies

Key Components• Stock characters

Media Studies

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

Media Studies

Key Components

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

Media Studies

KEY COMPONENTS

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

Media Studies

KEY COMPONENTS

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

Media Studies

Key Components

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

Media Studies

Key Components

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

Media Studies

The Disadvantagesof Genre

Media Studies

Disadvantages

Media Studies

Disadvantages

• formulaic media textsin

Media Studies

Disadvantages

• formulaic media textsin

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

Media Studies

Disadvantages

• formulaic media textsin

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

• texts that are not easily categorised are difficult to

sell Media Studies

Summary

Media Studies

Summary

Genres function according to sets of

rules and conventions

Media Studies

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.

Media Studies