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?

• 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.

Codes can be divided into two categories – 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– Sense of horror– Normal situations turning into death situations– Blood & gore– Weapons– Murder/killing– Action– Presence of supernatural

• 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: think of all 4 categories for tv drama exam

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 pairs

• 1 week to complete, save on Office 365 or USB

Task• Choose a partner (wisely)• Choose a subgenre from hat• Do research on subgenre• Watch some clips/trailers too• Choose 3 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

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.