Genre Theory

Genre Theory refers to the research and ideas surrounding genre. The

importance of audience in genre is high, as much of genre is about the

audience identifying with it and recognizing it. While the filmmakers are

also trying to break conventions of these genres in order defy

audience‟s expectations and create interest. Steve Neale says “genres

are instances of repetition and difference…”

“Conventional definitions of genres tend to be based on the

notion that they constitute particular conventions of content

(such as themes or settings) and/or form (including structure

and style) which are shared by the texts which are regarded

as belonging to them.” – Dan Chandler

Uses and GratificationsA potential pleasure is one derived from merely identifying the

genre of a text (or film), because of your familiarity with it.

In this instance, I can relate this to my short film, which is a

spaghetti western, and if I create a recognizable and

conventional environment, my audience may be pleased

simply by identifying its genre. However, because of the

younger target audience, they will be less „familiar‟ with

it, which seems to be an important aspect of understanding

genre.

Steve Neale…Argues instead that pleasure is derived from “repetition and

difference” and that there would be no pleasure without

difference.

Abercrombie took this further with his suggestion that pleasure

is derived from the observation of how the conventions of

genre are manipulated.

EscapismGenre offers various emotional pleasures such as empathy

and escapism.

Escapism is particularly important for my story, because in a

way, it is about escapism. Creating a much more empathetic

main character since the audience can understand his place in

the story. He also strives for a sense of escapism, if somewhat

subtly. This is shown by his daydream, an escape from reality

in the form of a movie.

Tom Ryall‟s…Idea that genre provides a framework of structuring

rules, which act as a form of „supervision‟ over the work is

important to the work I did on my short film.

The western genre has been defined so absolutely for decades

now and provides a solid and prepared structure.

However, using this as a basis, I still had to defy conventions

to create something different.

My Short FilmIs a very specific genre and so understanding aspects of genre

and the thoughts of critics and theorists such as

Chandler, Neale or Altman are useful to me in establishing and

creating my genre.

As a western I need to allow the audience to understand and

recognize the world, but still draw in themes or conventions

that aren‟t typical of the genre, so that it is different and stands

out.

Problems with genre classification

Theorist and Critic Rick Altman (1999) came up with a list of points

he found problematic with genre classicfication .

a) Genre is a useful category, because it bridges multiple concerns.

b) Genres are defined by the film industry and recognised by the mass audience.

c) Genres have clear, stable identities and borders.

d) Individual films belong wholly and permanently to a single genre.

e) Genres are transhistorical.

f) Genres undergo predictable development.

g) Genres are located in particular topic, structure and corpus.

h) Genre films share certain fundamental characteristic.

i) Genres have either a ritual or ideological function.

j) Genre critics are distanced from the practice of genre.