Film genres

Film Genre

Hayley Wilson

Why is Film Genre important?

Genre is important to both producers and film audiences. This is because producers need to engage their target audience, if the audience is not interested or engaged in the genre they wont watch the film. If the audience doesn’t watch the film then the producers of the film will not make any money and will not be successful. Genre theory is used in the study of films so that they can be categorized. Genres are dependent on various factors such as story line, director, what the audience expects, etc. In using Genre theory we can decide on how our film is described.However, this is not just a simple means of labeling or classifying films. Genres can constantly change as different social groups/ethics come about. Since society is always able to change and shift it’s form, Film Genres need to do the same.

What is Film Genre?Conventions

Formal Conventions:The Plot – e.g. an unsolved mysteryThe theme – e.g. Revenge

Stylistic Conventions:Slow Motion/Editing/MusicIconography (use of images) – e.g. close up of a specific item

Stars associated with that genre to engage target audience:Angelina Jolie – ActionNick Cage – AdventureJenifer Aniston – Rom-comEtc.

What types of Film Genre are there?

There are many different types of Film Genres. One of the first Genres to exist was Westerns. These have now evolved and changed into genres such as rom-coms, psychological thrillers, horrors, science fictions, comedies, romance etc.

This is because as society has changed, audiences have grew different interests and so films have had to change and evolve to meet those demands. This has therefore boosted movie ratings and the advance in technology has also helped produce those films.

It is also possible that in the future we will see new kinds of sci-fi and horror films as CGI and other technology becomes more available towards film producers. Allowing new effects to be created.

What types of Film Genre are there?

• Action• Adventure• Comedy• Crime and Gangster• Drama• Epics/Historical• Horror• Musicals/Dance• Science Fiction• War• Westerns

These film genres can also become hybrids such as Rom-Coms and Dark Comedy.

http://www.filmsite.org/genres.html



Useful Links


http://www.theguardian.com/film/list/filmgenres

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-17074585


http://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2013/jan/14/oscar-winners-break-down-genre-release-date











Education

Film genres