Genre - Class notes

A creative strategy used by film makers to ensure audience identification with a film which minimises the rick of financial failure.

Genre films work through cultural myths and fears by repetition, innovation and resolution.

Genres are not static but constantly renegotiated between industry and audience - a combination of familiar reassurance and new twists.

Genres feature a set of characteristics/formulae which are recognised by audiences over time.

Genres offer comforting reassurance in an uncomfortable world.

Genre functions like a language - a set of rules and vocabulary with which to organise meaning.


Films can be hybrid e.g. they span more than one genre; they might "rework" generic conventions in some way; there are many sub-genres.

Genre is ideology