This document discusses film genres and the concept of genre. It provides definitions of genre as a type or category of film linked by common elements. Genres have conventions and iconography that help define them. The document also discusses how genres can shift and change over time due to social and economic factors. Producers must meet audience expectations of genres while also innovating to stay competitive. Different theorists such as Ed Buscomb, Colin McArthur, Tom Ryall, and Stephan Neale are summarized as having varying views on whether iconography or narrative is most important in defining genres.

1. GENRE
By Shima Begum 12A2

2. A2 Media Studies module 2735 OCR
• Many genres dominant in Britain
• Comedies such as Notting Hill and drams such as
Elizabeth, Much Ado about Nothing
• ‘Ethnic genre’ Bend it like Beckham

3. Concept of genre in film
• Genre means a type or category and when linked to
film, it represents a group of people that are linked
together
• Genres have conventions, set elements within film
• There can be shifts in genres
• During earlier times you can come across
stereotypical characters within genres
• Social groups may change… women are seen to be
more dominant in society

4. Viewers on Genre
• Viewers choose a film because they enjoy that
particular genre.
• They expect to see certain conventions in that genre,
preferably in a new way.
• Therefore, producers must meet these demands but
also compete with other films.
• Some producers follow a genre that does not incur
much financial cost
• Staying with the same genres may be quite
repetitive and dull

5. Key concepts & skills for media studies
• ‘Genre is the classification of any media text and category type’
• The idea that genre is continually changing, due to social change
and economic needs.
• There are uses of Hybrid combinations
• Iconography is used to help outline the features of a genre and
attempt to define it.
• Different theorists have different views of genre
• Ed Buncombe
• Colin McArthur
• Tom Ryall

6. ED Buscomb 1970
• He argued that film was a visual medium
• He believes that reoccurring codes and conventions
found in film such as, codes of dress, settings and
props are factors that should be used to define
Genre, Rather than a narrative structure
• For example, in a western film you would have a
dusty background/desert, horses, saddles, guns,
Cowboys…etc.

7. Colin McArthur 1972/ Tom Ryall 1978
• He also believed and drew attention to the
importance of cultural knowledge.
• The idea of expectation the audience has in being
able to recognise the conventions of a particular
genre
• Ryall argued that themes, characters and
iconography to be considered, when studying genre.

8. Stephan Neale 1980
• He argued that too much emphasis on iconography
should not be used, genre should be anchored by
narrative
• And playing a lot of importance to iconography
means not enough detail is used on camera angles,
editing and lighting.

9. A2 Media Studies for OCR (Second Edition)