Film Genres
Genre
definition: A
style or category of film
Action- Snatch
Thriller-
The Silence of
the Lambs
Comedy-
Sleeper
Science
Fiction- District
9
Romance-
True Romance
Drama-
American
Beauty
Romantic
Comedy- When
Harry Met Sally
Zombie
Comedy- Shaun
of the Dead
Musical-
The Rocky
Horror Picture Show
Adventure-
The Lord of
the Rings
Fantasy- Pan’s Labyrinth
Horror- The Shining
Major
genre- One of
the dominant and important categories that should be obvious and easy to
define.
Subgenre-
A minor category
or subdivision within a major genre. It is a specific type in its own right,
for example, the James Bond films.
Hybrid
genre- Major
genres can sometimes combine to create another type of film which we call a
hybrid genre, for example the romantic comedy.
How are the concepts of genre
used?
-
Particular
audiences like certain genres and will therefore know whether or not a film
will appeal to them depending on the genre
-
Knowing
the genre of a film can help when analysing films and how they are made and
promoted
-
Genres
can give films more of an identity
-
Some
types of film can attract a mainstream audience
-
A
specific genre could target a niche audience
How to recognise genre
Generic
codes and conventions are signifiers that have been established over time and
are accepted in the storyline, mise-en-scene and characters.
Signifiers
are aspects we see or hear in film, like the clothes or props. When watching a
film signifiers can be interpreted to create meaning.
Western
What
can be seen? Sand, guns, cacti, the
desert
What
can be heard? Gunshots, Ennio Morricone score
Who
are the typical characters? An outlaw, cowboys, Mexicans
What
are the themes in the storyline? Revenge, murder
Example:
The Good, the Bad and the Ugly
Horror
What
can be seen? Blood, gore
What
can be heard? Screaming, swearing
Who
are the typical characters? A criminal, victim, hero, possibly a monster
What
are the themes in the storyline? Usually group of people in a solitary place,
no escape from villain
Example:
The Shining
Fantasy
What
can be seen? Creatures or monsters
What
can be heard? Sounds made by creatures, perhaps screaming
Who
are the typical characters? One main hero or heroine, creatures that do not
exist
What
are the themes in the storyline? Good vs. Evil, an adventure, magic
Example:
Pan’s Labyrinth
Gangster
(American)
What
can be seen? Violence, people wearing suits, guns and weapons
What
can be heard? Gunshots, swearing
Who
are the typical characters? Usually a large cast of characters, a gang or
family of gangsters, the gangsters are often Italian Americans
What
are the themes in the storyline? Drug use, gang lifestyle, violence, rivalry
between gangs, revenge
Example:
The Godfather, Goodfellas, Casino
Romance
What
can be seen? Flowers, a wedding
What
can be heard? A voiceover, romantic music or songs
Who
are the typical characters? Usually a main male and female who fall in love,
one of the characters is sometimes clumsy –especially if it is a romantic
comedy
What
are the themes in the storyline? Usually boy and girl meet and fall in love,
sometimes they don’t get along to begin with but then change their minds. The
relationship usually has problems somewhere but they will mostly end up happy
together by the end.
Example:
The Goodbye Girl, When Harry Met Sally, Annie Hall
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