1.

UK Films
2. Crime
3. Comedy
4. Western
5. Animation
6. Sci Fi
7. Silent films
8. Classic
9. Horror
10.War

Genre is a term taken from the French but

originates from Latin roots that translate as
meaning a type or kind.
The concept of genre is a way of classifying
particular media texts (films, television
programmes, music, magazines etc)
When we ask the question, To what genre
does the film belong?, we are essentially
asking what type or kind of film is this?

The concept of genre is a way of classifying

There are main areas that help identify what genre it is:
particular media texts (films, television
programmes, music, magazines etc)
1.Narratives & themes
2.Characters
3.Props
4.Costumes
5.Location
6.Lighting & colour
These are known as GENERIC CONVENTIONS (common
elements/ the ingredients of a text)

To understand genre, key elements are

repeated in media texts. This repetition of
SIGNIFIERS become predictable pleasures
for an audience, and aids their selection of
media texts.

Dixon of
Dock
Dock
Green
Green in
in
the
the 1950s
1950s ..

The Bill
(ITV1)
(ITV1) today
today

Television
crime genres
have
changed over
time, as
society has
changed.
New dramas
must also
offer
something
different to
audiences.

Heroes in
Action/Adven
ture films
were
traditionally
male. Now
they are
sometimes
female, due
to rises in
gender
equality in
society.

Bruce
Bruce
Will
Will in
in
Die
Die Hard,
Hard,
1988

Angelina
Angelina Jolie
Jolie
in
in Tombraider,
Tombraider,
2001
2001

Science-Fiction films have changed due to

developments in technology, enhancing special
effects through advances in Computer Generated
Imagery and motion capture. (Star Wars in the
1970s compared to the more recent films).

In pairs, complete table of the different genres contained within the

various mediums. Then make notes alongside each genre of key
signifiers and iconography that help audiences to identify it is of that
genre. Try to think of a few examples of each genre.
Follow the guide below:
Conventions of Genre (signifiers
Medium Genre
such as props & costume,
locations, characters)

Film

Horror

Televisio
n

Documentar Current affairs issue, interviews,

y
voice-over/ presenter, archive
footage.

Magazine Fashion
s
Music

Victim, killer, weapon, night

setting, small town, high school
characters.

Models, new designs, clothing.

Folk
instruments (e.g. guitar),
Stretch andAcoustic
Challenge:
songs about love and life, simple
What is a hybrid?
Can you think of any
costumes.

Examples
Scream
Halloween
Panorama
Dispatches
Vogue
Grazia
Jack
Johnson
Damien

 Film producers use genre as

a means of minimising the
economic risk in making films
they build up the repertoire
of elements
Film distributors/exhibitors
use genre as a means of
advertising and promoting
films
Both depend upon
audiences foreknowledge
and past experience
It is an easy way of
targeting an audience as you
all have pre-conceived ideas
about the genres.

 Audiences use genre to

give them predictable
pleasures when
consuming/watching a film
Audiences have certain
expectations of genre films
Audiences expect genre
films to involve innovation,
inflection/subversion of the
generic conventions
repetition and difference
You wouldnt go and see a
film that you didnt know
anything about!

1. Audiences
2. Producers
3. Distributors
Important
Genre is about attracting audiences,
providing a format they are familiar with
and enjoy consuming.
It is full of stereotypes that are often
negative, but that an audience can
read as a shorthand and can quickly
obtain information about the product and