1. GENRE - Lacey’s Repertoire of
Elements
Lacey considers the 'repertoire of elements' that work in
combination to suggest a media text belongs to a
particular genre or mix of genres.
He provides a useful framework to follow when analysing
genre. Lacey breaks a text down into these five areas to
identify the elements in each:
 Setting
 Character
 Narrative
 Iconography
 Style
Lacey does not see genres as fixed but as dynamic and Nick Lacey
changing over time.

2. GENRE - Lacey’s Repertoire of
Elements
 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. For example, in horror movies,
the ‘final girl,’ who maintains her personal
dignity, usually defeats the psychopath.
Nick Lacey

3. GENRE - Lacey’s Repertoire of
Elements
 Setting: Some genres have a distinct
location but this can be subject to change, for
example horror films have moved from the
gothic to the suburban. Genres can also be
associated with time periods like the gangster
films set during prohibition in America but
successful films have updated this.
 Iconography: Films contain visual and audio
images, which become instantly recognisable
and associated with the genre. Eg: Gangster
films feature the iconic ‘Tommy’ gun spraying
bullets in the hands of a man in a sharp suit
usually standing on the running board of a
car. Nick Lacey

4. GENRE - Lacey’s Repertoire of
Elements
 Style: Iconography refers to the objects but
style describes the way they are presented.
Camera angles, editing, lighting and the use
of colour all contribute to the style of a film.
Now analyse your production work using
Lacey’s theoretical framework:
 What elements can you identify that establish
a particular genre? (Go through the 5 areas)
 Are there overlapping/mixed genres?
 Is it difficult to categorise your work by
genre?
 Do you challenge genre conventions? Nick Lacey

5. Genre is about repetition & difference –
Stephen Neale
 Particular features which are characteristic of
a genre are not normally unique to it; it is
their relative prominence, combination and
functions which are distinctive (Neale, 1980)
 ‘Genres are instances of repetition and
difference‘ (Neale, 1980)
 ‘Difference is absolutely essential to the
economy of genre' (Neale, 1980) - Mere Stephen Neale
repetition would not attract an audience.
Now apply this to your own work - What
elements can be seen as repetition of genre
conventions and what can be seen as
difference?