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GENRE & SUBGENRES
L/O: to be able to identify film genres & subgenres and explain their
meanings with key terms
GENRE
• What is this?
GENRE
• Category, kind sort etc
• A way to categorize films
Genre Purpose (horror)• ALL GENRES HAVE A PURPOSE – example horror:
• To frighten/disgust the audience• Create negative emotional reactions by playing on audience’s
– primal fears and vulnerabilities– Terror of unknown– Fear of death/injury
• Startle the viewer (key scenes)• Cause dread or alarm• Invoke worst hidden fears
• Yet…..Captivate and entertain!
FILM GENRE
• Copy and complete…. (as many as you can)
FILM GENRE PURPOSE OF GENRE FILM EXAMPLES
Drama
Something to ponder…..
-How do you know the films fit under a specific genre?
-What makes them that genre?
Basic film genres (13)GENRE EXAMPLES
DRAMA My Sister’s Keeper
COMEDY Bridesmaids
ACTION/ADVENTURE The Terminator
ANIMATION Monsters Inc
ROMANCE The Notebook
FOREIGN/WORLD Pan’s Labyrinth
SCI-FI Alien
HORROR Saw
THRILLER Paranormal Activity
MUSICAL Sound of Music
WAR/HISTORICAL Saving Private Ryan
CRIME The Godfather
DOCUMENTARY Catfish
FAMILY Mary Poppins
SUBGENRE
• What do you think this means?
SUBGENRES• Sub-genres are genres that combine or share elements or characteristics of multiple genres.
• Sub-genres seem inevitable that films (and genre) are ever changing and evolving; they don’t stay the same• They develop their OWN familiar codes/conventions/elements/characteristics to make meaning to an audience
– There are many reasons for this = Why do you think?
• Example: THRILLERS (which are made to create intense thrill, suspense, anticipation and excitement on audience)– There are different TYPES of thrillers….action thrillers, sci-fi thrillers, crime thrillers
• DISASTER (natural/weather, alien, creature, accident, planets/apocalyptic, criminal/terrorist,disease/zombie
.
SUBGENRE
GENRES NEW SUBGENRE EXAMPLE
COMEDY ROMANCE/COMEDY (ROM-COM)
Bridget JonesSomething about Mary
DRAMA DRAMA + ACTION = DISASTER
2012Day After Tomorrow
HORROR COMEDY/HORROR Piranha Shawn of the Dead
THRILLER THRILLER/SUPERNATURAL Paranormal Activity The Others
When you combine 2 genres together
Hybrid
• Word?
• What do you think this means in terms of film?
Hybrid
• Word = mixture or fusion (example hybrid cars are a combination of petrol/electric)
• What do you think this means in terms of film?3 or more genres or mixtures of subgenres
HYBRIDGENRES NEW SUBGENRE HYBRID EXAMPLE
COMEDY ROMANCE/COMEDY (ROM-COM)
ROMANCECOMEDYBRITISH
Bridget Jones
DRAMA DRAMA/ACTION = DISASTER
DRAMAACTION
NATURAL DISASTER
Sweeney ToddRocky Horror Picture Show
HORROR COMEDY/HORROR COMEDYHORRORZOMBIEPARODY
Shawn of the Dead
FAMILY FAMILY/ROMANCE FAMILYROMANCE
SCI-FITHRILLER
Avatar
ACTION ACTION/KUNG FU ACTIONKUNG FUTHRILLERWESTERN
Kill Bill
When you combine 3 genres together
Conventions
• what do you think film conventions are?
• Extension: If something is conventional it means…..?
Codes and conventions• Codes are systems of signs, which create meaning.
Codes can be divided into two categories – technical and symbolic: – Technical codes are all the ways in which equipment is used to tell the story in a media text, for example
the camera work in a film. – Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see. For example, a character's actions show
you how the character is feeling.
– Some codes fit both categories – music for example, is both technical and symbolic.
CONVENTIONSConventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something. OR FEATURES THAT ARE GENERALLY EXPECTED/FAMILIAR. There are general conventions in any medium, such as the use of interviewee quotes in a print article, but conventions are also genre specific.
How codes and conventions apply in media studies Codes and conventions are used together in any study of genre – it is not enough to discuss a technical code used such as camera work, without saying how it is conventionally used in a genre.
For example, the technical code of lighting is used in some way in all film genres. It is a convention of the horror genre that side and back lighting is used to create mystery and suspense – an integral part of any horror movie.
Genre & Conventions - Horror• Familiarity causes agreement/understanding• Conventions function as agreement between: author + audience (for what to expect in a genre)
• In a survey, the horror genre had the most agreed components than any other genre– Blood & gore, Weapons & Murder/killing– Presence of supernatural – Jump scares with sudden and loud music/sounds to frighten – Silence = danger– Final girl is often a virgin – etc
• Iconic symbols of horror:– Haunted house– Unknown creatures– Dark places– Flashing images
QUESTION: Why do film conventions in a genre or subgenre change over time?
These icons still exist in modern films but they evolve over time according to the era and audience (what terrified an audience 10 years ago does not terrify one now as the world is different)
Convention questions
Read the following questions and discuss in groups (3 mins)
• Why do conventions become predictable in film?• What happens when conventions become
predictable?• Why do conventions have to be predictable?• Yet, why do they have to adapt and evolve?
Change with subgenre
A paranormal horror will have different conventions from a slasher horror as their purposes are different.
• i.e. Zombie horror– Hero trying to save human race– Overgrown/rough settings to illustrate
abondonment – Survival theme – etc
Can you name conventions?
• Let’s think of disaster-thriller film genre….
Disaster-thriller film conventions:• .• .• .• .
Advice: characters, the narrative or technical codes
Conventions checklist• Think of a range of factors with conventions
• Plot• Theme • Character types• Setting/location• Music/sounds• Camera shots/angles• Special effects• Editing techniques• Narrative structure (the way the story is presented/structured)
Homework (Due next Mon)
• Title: Assignment 1: Genre Exploration Task
• Format: Computer – powerpoint or other presentation program (present to class)
• In 3’s (1 pair if needed)
• 1 week to complete, save on Office 365 or USB
Task• Choose a group (wisely)• Choose a subgenre from hat• Do research on subgenre• Watch some clips/trailers too• Choose 3 solid films as examples• After research, decide and record conventions of the subgenre• Complete worksheet together• Then construct a powerpoint to present to class
• Slide 1: title page with names• 2: name of subgenre• 3: 3 or more films in the subgenre• 4: explanation of the conventions with screen shots from films (everyone in group
do/present 1-2 each)
Assessment• You are being marked on:
• Ability to complete on time• Examples of films as evidence• Understanding of conventions• Effort and detail• Ability to follow instructions• Use of visuals in powerpoint, BRIEF text (no bulky paragraphs)• Presentation and organisation of powerpoint
• You will receive level and grade.
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