Blog Post 1 - Genre Research

Movie genres are stylistic categories that organise films based on criteria such as the setting, characters, plot, mood, tone, and theme. 

The purpose of genre in movies and media serves several key functions for both creators and audiences:

Classification and Organisation: Genre categorises movies and media into different groups based on their narrative elements, themes, techniques, and styles. This classification helps in organising content in a way that's easily searchable and identifiable for audiences.

Creative framework: For filmmakers and content creators, genre provides a framework within which they can work to express their ideas and stories. It guides them in using certain conventions, character archetypes, and plot structures that are recognised and appreciated by the audience

Marketing and Promotion: For film industry to target specific audience segment and analysing trends and demands of the market. Genres also help audiences to select and enjoy the films that match their preferences, expectations, and moods

Steve Neal-Genre Theory 

Concept: Differences and repetition

According to Steven Neale, genres offer specific pleasure to audience. The use of repeated motifs, themes or stylistic devices allows audiences to recognise and access media products that create the kinds of appeal they are engaged by. 

“All genres are subject to a continuous process of evolution and/or subversion.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hNaDStRuPdI

He identifies the following drivers of that process: 

• Audience needs. Audiences enjoy both recognizing familiar genre elements and discovering unexpected twists within them. Neale suggests that these surprises not only enhance viewer enjoyment but also make a film stand out by offering something unique.

• Contextual influences. Media makers adapt genre-driven content as a result of historical, political or social influences. 

• Economic influences. Falling sales or poor audience engagement can create commercial imperatives to change or adapt genre-driven. For example, the box office success of Marvel has lead to a massive expansion of super-hero genre

Hybrid genres are genres that combine elements of two or more distinct genres, creating a crossover that inherits characteristics from each. This blending can result in works that appeal to wider audiences by merging the appeals of different genres and often leads to innovative and creative storytelling and artistic expression.

For my film opening project, I have decided to choose the genre of thriller because...

• Thrillers are known for their ability to engage and hold an audience's attention from the very beginning. They often involve suspense, tension, and excitement, elements that can make my film opening captivating and memorable.

• Thrillers can be combined with other genres, such as crime or horror, providing a wide range of thematic and stylistic options to explore in my coursework.