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Elements of Genre in Elements of Genre in Film AnalysisFilm Analysis

GENREGENRE

A category used to classify a film in A category used to classify a film in terms of certain general patterns of terms of certain general patterns of form and content. form and content.

Cook, D. A History of Narrative Film p.966Cook, D. A History of Narrative Film p.966

Genres are defined in terms Genres are defined in terms ofof.Narrative.Narrative.Narrative.Narrative

.Tone and Mood.Tone and Mood.Tone and Mood.Tone and Mood

.Setting.Setting.Setting.Setting

.Theme.Theme.Theme.Theme

.Iconography.Iconography.Iconography.Iconography

.Characterization.Characterization.Characterization.Characterization

.Filmic techniques.Filmic techniques.Filmic techniques.Filmic techniques

NarrativeNarrative

Refers to similar or formulaic plots and Refers to similar or formulaic plots and structures, predictable situations, structures, predictable situations, sequences, episodes, obstacles, sequences, episodes, obstacles, conflicts and resolutions. conflicts and resolutions.

For example: For example: Boy and girl meet, fall in love, are separated by Boy and girl meet, fall in love, are separated by random event or fight, spend miserable time random event or fight, spend miserable time while apart, reunite and marry at the end of while apart, reunite and marry at the end of movie. movie.

For example: For example: Boy and girl meet, fall in love, are separated by Boy and girl meet, fall in love, are separated by random event or fight, spend miserable time random event or fight, spend miserable time while apart, reunite and marry at the end of while apart, reunite and marry at the end of movie. movie.

The Romantic ComedyThe Romantic ComedyPretty Woman (1990) Gary MarshallPretty Woman (1990) Gary Marshall

CharacterizationCharacterization

Similar types of characters (sometimes Similar types of characters (sometimes stereotypes), roles, personal qualities, stereotypes), roles, personal qualities, motivations, goals, behavior may help us motivations, goals, behavior may help us identify a film’s genre.identify a film’s genre.

For example: For example: The nerd in high-school comedies, the femme The nerd in high-school comedies, the femme fatale in film noir, the outlaw in the Western.fatale in film noir, the outlaw in the Western.

For example: For example: The nerd in high-school comedies, the femme The nerd in high-school comedies, the femme fatale in film noir, the outlaw in the Western.fatale in film noir, the outlaw in the Western.

The The femme fatalefemme fataleGilda (1946) Charles VidorGilda (1946) Charles Vidor

Theme Theme

Refers to the subject matter of the film, the Refers to the subject matter of the film, the topic that is developed through the story. topic that is developed through the story.

For example: For example: Domestic conflict in melodramas, justice in Domestic conflict in melodramas, justice in courtroom dramas, corruption in gangster films, courtroom dramas, corruption in gangster films, human hubris in science fiction.human hubris in science fiction.

For example: For example: Domestic conflict in melodramas, justice in Domestic conflict in melodramas, justice in courtroom dramas, corruption in gangster films, courtroom dramas, corruption in gangster films, human hubris in science fiction.human hubris in science fiction.

Justice (Courtroom Justice (Courtroom Drama)Drama)Philadelphia (1993) Jonathan DemmePhiladelphia (1993) Jonathan Demme

SettingSetting

The place where the story takes place, The place where the story takes place, whether a particular geographical location or a whether a particular geographical location or a time in history, can give us clues about genre.time in history, can give us clues about genre.

For example: For example: The Western in the mythic frontier, the film noir The Western in the mythic frontier, the film noir in the corrupt city, melodramas in domestic in the corrupt city, melodramas in domestic spaces, the future in science fiction.spaces, the future in science fiction.

For example: For example: The Western in the mythic frontier, the film noir The Western in the mythic frontier, the film noir in the corrupt city, melodramas in domestic in the corrupt city, melodramas in domestic spaces, the future in science fiction.spaces, the future in science fiction.

The Dystopian FutureThe Dystopian FutureBlade Runner (1982) Ridley ScottBlade Runner (1982) Ridley Scott

IconographyIconographyThe recurrence of familiar stock of images or The recurrence of familiar stock of images or motifs such as décor, costume and objects, motifs such as décor, costume and objects, certain 'typecast' performers, familiar certain 'typecast' performers, familiar patterns of dialogue, characteristic music patterns of dialogue, characteristic music and sounds, and appropriate physical and sounds, and appropriate physical topography usually are indications of topography usually are indications of particular genres.particular genres.

For example: For example: Chicago+Tommy guns+Prohibition = gangster Chicago+Tommy guns+Prohibition = gangster films.films.Nerd+Jock+Cheerleader+high school=comedy.Nerd+Jock+Cheerleader+high school=comedy.

For example: For example: Chicago+Tommy guns+Prohibition = gangster Chicago+Tommy guns+Prohibition = gangster films.films.Nerd+Jock+Cheerleader+high school=comedy.Nerd+Jock+Cheerleader+high school=comedy.

Nerds and CheerleadersNerds and CheerleadersRevenge of the Nerds (1984) Jeff KanewRevenge of the Nerds (1984) Jeff Kanew

Filmic techniquesFilmic techniques

Stylistic or formal conventions of camerawork, Stylistic or formal conventions of camerawork, lighting, sound-recording, use of color, editing lighting, sound-recording, use of color, editing etc., are also factors in defining genre in films. etc., are also factors in defining genre in films.

For example: For example: Dark ambiances in film noir, bright lights and Dark ambiances in film noir, bright lights and vivid colors in musicals, parallel action in vivid colors in musicals, parallel action in suspense or horror films.suspense or horror films.

For example: For example: Dark ambiances in film noir, bright lights and Dark ambiances in film noir, bright lights and vivid colors in musicals, parallel action in vivid colors in musicals, parallel action in suspense or horror films.suspense or horror films.

Barely lit streetsBarely lit streetsThe Man Who Wasn’t There (2001) Joel The Man Who Wasn’t There (2001) Joel CoenCoen

Tone refers to the attitude the author transmits Tone refers to the attitude the author transmits to the work or the way the theme is to the work or the way the theme is approached within the work. approached within the work.

ToneTone

For example: For example: Depending on the tone, a film about death can Depending on the tone, a film about death can be a comedy or a drama.be a comedy or a drama.

For example: For example: Depending on the tone, a film about death can Depending on the tone, a film about death can be a comedy or a drama.be a comedy or a drama.

Ever thought nuclear Ever thought nuclear holocaust could be holocaust could be hilarious?hilarious?Dr. Strangelove (1964) Stanley KubrickDr. Strangelove (1964) Stanley Kubrick

MoodMood

Mood pervades throughout the film and causes Mood pervades throughout the film and causes particular feelings and sensations in the particular feelings and sensations in the audience. The mood of a movie can be audience. The mood of a movie can be constructed by means of the music, lighting, constructed by means of the music, lighting, camera movement, editing etc.camera movement, editing etc.

For example: For example: Sunshine, beach, upbeat music, people laughing Sunshine, beach, upbeat music, people laughing set a happy, optimistic mood for a story.set a happy, optimistic mood for a story.

For example: For example: Sunshine, beach, upbeat music, people laughing Sunshine, beach, upbeat music, people laughing set a happy, optimistic mood for a story.set a happy, optimistic mood for a story.

Songs and bright colors Songs and bright colors give musicals a happy give musicals a happy moodmoodGrease (1978) Randal KleiserGrease (1978) Randal Kleiser

Genre and ParodyGenre and Parody

Parodies exploit viewers’ knowledge of generic Parodies exploit viewers’ knowledge of generic conventions and use them to make fun of conventions and use them to make fun of certain film genres. certain film genres.

For example: For example: Austin Powers vs. James BondAustin Powers vs. James BondScary Movie vs. RingScary Movie vs. Ring

For example: For example: Austin Powers vs. James BondAustin Powers vs. James BondScary Movie vs. RingScary Movie vs. Ring

Spies were never so Spies were never so funny!funny!Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) Jay Roach(1999) Jay Roach

ReferencesReferencesChandler, Daniel (1997): 'An Introduction to Genre Chandler, Daniel (1997): 'An Introduction to Genre Theory' [WWW document] URL Theory' [WWW document] URL http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/intgenre/chttp://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/intgenre/chandler_genre_theory.pdfhandler_genre_theory.pdf

Cook, David A. A History of Narrative Film. New York Cook, David A. A History of Narrative Film. New York and London: W.W. Norton and Company, 1996.and London: W.W. Norton and Company, 1996.

Music: Colossus. Kevin MacLeod. incompetech.comMusic: Colossus. Kevin MacLeod. incompetech.com

Presentation by Nahirana ZambranoCultura y Sociedad_Inglés

English DepartmentSchool of Modern Languages

University of Los Andes, Venezuela