Genre

Genre

A genre in film is the method of similarities in different narrative elements within a film. It focuses on the aspects in a film that are closely linked and follow the same narrative pattern. Genre refers to the setting, themes and topics and the way that the film is shot in order to categorize into a specific genre. Different genres have different target audiences, and this requires the films to have certain elements in order to appeal to the target audience and meet a specific genre. Sub-genres are divisions of genres that contain the conventions of a different genre; for example:

Genre and audience

For the audience the genre of a film symbolises the elements that will be included, therefore they expect this when they are watching. It allows the audience the chance to know in basic terms what they will be watching and how they should expect to feel. For example, when going to see a comedy the audience should be prepared to see something that will make them laugh and feel good as this is what they have paid to see. The individual genres will bring about certain audience pleasures within the target audience - this is something that the audience want to feel when the go to watch a film of a specific genre. E.g. When going to watch a thriller the audience would want to feel suspense and tension as this is what is conventional of a thriller genre.

Lacey's repertoire of elements

Nick Lacey had the theory that particular genres have a 'repertoire of elements' that work in combination to suggest a media text belongs to a specific genre or mix or genres. He provides a framework to follow when analysing the genre.

Narrative - this refers to the story structure as well as the specific narrative devices, which genres employ (car chases, gunfights, weddings, etc.).
Characters - narrative is usually developed through characters and their functions (hero, villain etc). Some characters are so closely associated with a genre that they become generic types - The hero cop, for example.
Setting - some genres have a distinct location - like the Western - but locations can also be subject to change, for example traditional murder mysteries take place in the villages, whereas other subgenres of crime might have a city or suburban setting. Genres can also be associated with specific time periods, like War drama.
Iconography - media contains visual and audio images, which become instantly recognisable and associated with the genre. E.g. In crime the spraying of bullets in a mob storyline, the shriek of a victim in the woods, the yellow police tape, a dropped pistol and pool of blood.
Style - iconography refers to the visual and audio objects ('images') but this describes the way they are presented. Camera angles, editing, lighting and the use of colour palette all contribute.