Genre research

Genre definition

Genre is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art/culture,

for example: music, films or even games. Genres are formed by conventions

that change over time as new genres are invented and the use of old ones

were discontinued. Often, works fit into multiple genres by the way of

recombining these conventions. Audiences recognise these features and

therefore expect certain things. For example, at the end of a romantic

comedy film the two lead characters will realise they are in love. Audiences

may even select a text on the basis of its genre. Producers market texts

according to genre because a niche audience has already been identified

as taking pleasure in that type of text.

Urban drama examples

Boyz N the hood

Above The Rim

Victim

Ill Manors

Top Boy (TV series)

Kidulthood

Adulthood

Bullet Boy

Narrative Structure

The protagonist is illustrated with their environment/social class. Also, the

protagonist family and friends are shown as well so that the audience is

aware with his/hers relationships with other characters. Then a distribution of

the equilibrium is situated, founded by the environment or the antagonist

which brings upon issues for the protagonist.

Why is genre important to audiences?

Genre creates familiarity amongst audiences so that they know what type

of film they like to watch and what to expect from a certain film genre.

Audiences are the main influence on genre in terms of how they’re

created and distributed in order to make them appealing upon their

release at multiplexes as well disc and digital formats. By including typical

key conventions within a film that are linked to a genre, a film will become

more appealing to an audience as well being more to recognise which

will ultimately mean they will end up watching it. If a film was not to have

any clear genre to it, it’s likely that few people will even watch the film in

the first place.

User and gratifications

Recognising iconographies and conventions due to recurring familiarity

Emotional and physical pleasures in response to certain film genres

Character judging and relation

A sense of community when watching and enjoying films with others

Shifting expectations via manipulated genres

Predictions and expectations being met

Sub-Genres

Sub-Genres are categories of films which originate from a main key film

genre such as Horror, Comedy or Action. They use conventions from a

mixture of genres so they can’t be branded as on in particular.

Comedy/Action/Adventure – Road Films

Romance/Dramas/Comedy – Chick Flicks

Horror/Comedy/Science Fiction – Supernatural

Action/Fantasy – Superheroes

Drama – Biopics

Science Fiction/Horror - Fantasy

Genre theories

“Conventional definitions of genre are based on the idea that they share

particular convention of content e.g. Themes or setting” – David Chandler

“Genres are instances of repetition and difference; this is what pleasure

for the audience is derived from” - Steve Neale

“The same text can belong to different genres in different countries or

times” – John Hartley

“Genre is a constant process of negotiation and change” – David

Buckingham

Urban drama – Definition

As a sub-genre of ‘drama’ urban drama is known for it’s illustration of a realistic outlook in

society and expressing social issues. Urban drama films began in the late 1980s to 90s and

currently hitting mainstream in the 00s. In a explicit manor ‘hood films’ often show aspects of

urban ‘black culture’ such as rap, gangs, drugs, racism and murders. The protagonist in

urban dramas films tend to be a reflection of where he/she originates from, almost building

them as a ‘product of the environment’. Films that portray this prominent role is ‘Ill Manors’

and ‘Kidulthood’.

Urban drama – Narrative Structure

The protagonist (main character) is illustrated with their environment/social

class. Also, the protagonists, family and friends are shown as well so that the

audience is aware with his/hers relationships with other characters. Then a

distribution of the equilibrium is situated, founded by the environment or the

antagonist (rival – main character) which brings upon issues for the

protagonist. Protagonist undergoes through life-threatening encounters or

chooses a decision to even issues out. For example: Seeking revenge.

Urban drama – Archetypes

Protagonist:

Main character or plot based character, either in a group or as single person. Tends to be more serious or sensible than his/her friends. From a dysfunctional home. E.g. No father figure. Possibly in a current relationship.

Antagonist:

Considered the rival of the protagonist or a trouble-maker/dangerous person. Traitor or an ex friend, rival gang member or a possibly a sibling.

Environment:

Urban deprived areas/inner-city/ghetto area that contains negative aspects, that the protagonist tries to overcome or survive in. E.g. Council estates, cages or parks.

Comedy – definition

Comedies are light-hearted plots consistently and deliberately designed to

amuse and provoke laughter (with one-liners, jokes, etc.) by exaggerating

the situation, the language, action, relationships and characters.

There are sub categories of comedy films such as slapstick, screwball, spoofs

and parodies, romantic comedies, black comedy/dark satirical comedy and

more.

Comedy – Setting

Comedy films can be set almost anywhere, however the most typical setting

for comedy films is suburban areas in places such as high schools and bars.

The areas that they are set in are usually happy, sunny town s or

neighbourhoods. These areas could also be slightly more rural and have nice,

large houses.

Comedy - Examples

Urban-comedy

An urban comedy is a comedy using the urban genre conventions, this means that the demographics is usually lower-middle class teens. The typical conventions would include, an estate, a protagonist, police, a disturbance of the equilibrium and young characters. The costume would probably consist of hoodies, jeans and trainers. The comedic genre usually includes Strauss’ theory of binary opposites which also links in to the film ‘Anuvahood’. Urban comedies will also usually include a bully who plays a big part in the way the film is played out.

For my film I’ll be looking to attempt to include all key conventions expected from a urban-comedy, things like the theme would be similar, characters, equipment, clothing and also a soundtrack with same genre that most urban films would use.