This is a list of features from a

film.

O A city which is overrun by crime

O A hero who is living on the edge

O A female character who needs rescuing

O An explosionO A chase with cool

carsO A villain trying to

take over a city

What genre is the film from?

Learning Objectives

• To be able to identify generic conventions (Level 3)

• To be able to apply genre theory to specific films

(Level 4)

• To understand uses and gratifications theory (Level

3)

• To be able to apply uses and gratifications theory to

genre (Level 4)

‘genre is a recurring type of category text as defined by structural thematic and/or functional criteria’.

David Duff, Modern Genre Theory (1999)

What is Genre?

Rick Altman provides four meanings of genre. Genre as:

• a blueprint • structure

• a label• a contract

Steve Neale describes genre theory as ‘systems of orientations, expectations and conventions that circulate

between industry text and subject.’

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)•

To u

ndersta

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

What are the benefits of using genres to both industry and audience?

IndustryCost-

effective

Use the same sets,

costumes and props

Easier to sell the film

Established audiences

Success on the back of

others

Formulaic – films already have established elements

Easier to develop

Associated stars bring in audiences.

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Audience

Each genre gives a set of gratifications.

Horror scares people. Comedy

makes them laugh.

It is easier to choose which films to

watch.

Audiences are reassured by

familiar form and content.

Audiences enjoy seeing

how conventions

can be pushed and

challenged.

It helps measure

films against

each other.

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Genre & IdeologyFor the following genres, outline the ideology that you

would associate with each one.

Genre Ideology

Action Masculinity is to be championed. Violence and destruction are acceptable. There is a strong sense of right and wrong. One person can make a difference. You do not have to be perfect to be a hero.

Comedy

Horror

Rom-com

Thriller

Western

Genre plays an

important part in a

film’s appeal to a

target audience. This is

linked to ideology.

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Criticism of genre:

It is limiting for directors/writers as there must be certain criteria adhered to.

Some argue that films do not occupy specific genre’s and these labels are outdated for most modern films.

The organic nature of film’s form and content prohibits them from being categorised in any meaningful way.

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

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e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Daniel Chandler: Conventional definitions of genres tend to be based on the notion that they constitute particular conventions of content and/or form, which are shared by the texts which are regarded as belonging to them.

Mind map the following genres for the list of conventions below.• Horror

• Science Fiction• Drama

• War• Crime• Fantasy

Form Content

Iconography Theme

Mise-en-scene Narrative

Cinematography Setting

Editing Ideologies

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

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e a

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pply

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s and g

ratifi

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eory

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enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Steve Neale:Genres are instances of repetition and difference. Difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre: mere repetition would not attract an audience

Can you think of any examples of films which have stretched or challenged the ideas of the genre they

belong to?

Memento is a conventional thriller in terms of plot – Protagonist seeks revenge against his wife’s murderer. Yet the narrative style creates the generic divergence in being told backwards.

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Sub-GenresHorror

Science fiction

Comedy Action

• Slasher• Creature

Feature• Hauntings• Zombies• Vampires• Supernatura

l• Gothic• B-Movie• Psychologica

l

• Alien Invasion

• Comic Book• Virtual

Reality• Outer Space• Fairy Tales• Cyborgs/ Robots• Lost World• Post-

apocalyptic• Futuristic• Star Wars

• Buddy• Coming of

Age• Fish out of

water• Slapstick• Screwball• Teen• Stoner• Parody/

Spoof• Black

Comedy

• Cop• Blockbuster• Comic Book• Epic• Family• Heist• James Bond• Espionage• Swashbuckl

er• Treasure

Hunt• Samurai• Prison• Martial Arts

Texts often exhibit the conventions of more than one genre.

Alien bears the iconography of a Science Fiction film (setting, props, characters), but the stylistic approach of a Horror – extreme close-ups and heavy use of low-

key lighting to unsettle audience.

Hybrids

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Watch the trailer for Cloverfield and decide what genres/sub-genres it is a

hybrid of.

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKG_-UeONNw

Uses & Gratifications

Pick 3 of the genres that we have looked at so far and break down the uses and gratifications that you think

an audience would get from these films.

Information • finding out about relevant events and conditions in immediate

surroundings, society and the world• seeking advice on practical matters or opinion and decision

choices• satisfying curiosity and general interest• learning; self-education• gaining a sense of security through knowledge

Personal Identity • finding reinforcement for personal values• finding models of behaviour• identifying with valued other (in the media) • gaining insight into one's self

McQuail, Denis (1987) Mass Communication Theory: An

Introduction

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)

Uses & Gratifications

Pick 3 of the genres that we have looked at so far and break down the uses and gratifications that you think

an audience would get from these films.

Integration and Social Interaction • gaining insight into circumstances of others; social empathy• identifying with others and gaining a sense of belonging• finding a basis for conversation and social interaction• having a substitute for real-life companionship• helping to carry out social roles• enabling one to connect with family, friends and society

Entertainment • escaping, or being diverted, from problems• relaxing• getting intrinsic cultural or aesthetic enjoyment• filling time• emotional release• sexual arousal

McQuail, Denis (1987) Mass Communication Theory: An

Introduction

•To

understa

nd u

ses a

nd g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

use

s and g

ratifi

catio

ns th

eory

to g

enre

(Le

vel 4

)

•To

be a

ble

to identi

fy g

eneri

c co

nventi

ons

(Level 3

)•

To b

e a

ble

to a

pply

genre

theory

to s

peci

fic

film

s (L

evel 4

)