LO3: Genre theory

Genre Theory...

What is genre?

a Genre is a category of film. Examples of these include

• Horror
• action/ adventure
• social realism
• science fiction
• Fantasy.

Genre is a critical that helps us study texts and audience responses to texts by dividing them into categories by common elements.

These common elements are called generic conventions/ characteristics / elements or tropes.

How does "the Revenant" support genre theory? (P)

Be able to apply Genre Theory to "the Revenant" (M)

Be able to give examples form "The Revenant" that support genre theory. (D)

Exam questions on Genre theory

6* Anylise how the production techniques used to create meaning in a media product which you have studied.

6* Analyse how he concepts of "Genre" and "reprisntation" in a media produts which you have sudied.



The film that i have studied "The Revenant falls into the genras of drama as well as action adventure. This makes it a "hybrid Genre".  The stills I have included below emphisise th mood of the of the film.

sub-genres

a "sub-gebre is a genre is as a genre within a genre so for example horror woud contain the sub genres of "slasher films" "hammer horror" and others

The term "Sub-Genre" was first coined by Barry Keith Grant in 199

What "Sub-Genre" does "The Revenant" fit into?

"The Revenant" fits very well into the Sub-Genre of "survival films” as well as "Revenge Films"

Why do audiences like genre?

Patrick Phillips "Genres fulfil audiences’ expectations y following predictable patterns - we know what to expect from a text."

"The Revenant" quite a predictable film which provides audiences with familiarity with its themes of "Western" film- making and a straight up revenge story. The promotional material for the film made the story quite obvious to the audience. The main hero is nearly killed and goes after the person responsible for his near death can be established from watching any of the trailers or reading some of the descriptions of the film.

 

Why do Media companies like the idea of genre?

Media companies like the idea of genre because they allow them to release he films at a time when they will be successful (horror movies at Halloween or action in the summer)

Key theory: Branston and Stafford (1999)

Genres:

1. help to minimise risk and predict expenditure.

2. Are a blueprint for success

3. genre conventions also make it easier to market and sell products to audiences.

Why was the Revenant successful?

The Revenant came out in the autumn when the Oscars were just around the corner. The way that the film was promoted made it appear as an "artistic film" which made it appeal to the critics who were rampant looking for Oscar worthy performances. The promotion did not ostracize those of a less artistic nature however, and also showed off the films extensive action sequences to rope more casual viewers in.

what else do audiances like apart from familiarity about genre?

Actors - Audiences may for and see films for the purpose of a "typecast" actor

emotions - Key Theory 4: Rick Altman (1999) “Genre offers emotional pleasure"

1. emotional pleasures (nostalgia, Happy, Sad)

2. visceral pleasure - "gut" responses - excitement or disgust.

3. Intellectual puzzles- making the audience think about what is going on.

What pleasures does "the revenant" offer?

The Revenant contains several examples of visceral pleasure with the audience being disgusted with the scenes of graphic violence.

do different genres reflect wider ideas about sociaty and/ or themes?

There are several themes in films that reflect real life societal issues. For example, the sub- genre of "slasher horror" usually contains a mentally unstable antagonist.

The Revenant deals with the importance of family and the extraordinary lengths that some people can go to just to get revenge on somebody who has done them wrong. This is shown by the way that the main character "Hugh Glass" essentially comes back from the dead to hunt down is sons murderer.