Genre

The
CHAPTER 2:

Presented by Reb & Jasper

xample Horror Film
Conventions of Horror
The Autopsy of Jane Doe
Dark Colors
Dark Lighting
Reds
(Connotes fear and danger)
Chapter
Analyse the ways in which media genres are recognized and
classified by audiences, producers and critics.
Appreciate that genres are characterized by patterns of repetition
as well as difference: that is, to say by ‘repertoires of elements’

Understand ways in which texts are not unique but often take
hybrid forms and always relate to other texts via the process
known as intertextuality
Identify how different media genres are attributed with varying
degrees of status and cultural value.
Recognize some key attributes of ‘melodrama’ as it operates
across both factual and fictional genres.
 What is Genre?
Category that a media text falls into,
Horror Film, Comedy Film, Romantic
a kind. Film, Hip-hop Song et. al.

Genres are instances of repetition and

Steve Neale difference. Difference is absolutely
essential to the economy genre, mere
repetition would not attract an audience.
 What is Genre?
Genres are created through a
process of repetition and
Graham Burton recognition leading to anticipation
and expectation.
Media genres are like maps. Different
kinds of maps emphasize different
features of landscape or cityscape in
order to be useful.
In the media, systems of classification have an
additional function: they also establish
hierarchies values, by attributing high or low
cultural status to media products. Genre is
connected to power.
 The film was classified as
‘serious’ by most critics
Some focuses on the subtitle,
music and the slow pacing of the
THE PASSION OF THE film.
CHRIST Many have focused on the film’s gory
special effects around the crucifixion.

Other reviews commented on the

politics representing Christ.
 ART ENTERTAINMENT
Realism Escapism

Edification Wish Fulfillment

Serious, Universal themes “Trivial” concerns and superficial

treatment
Difficult Easy

Spiritual, intellectual Response Bodily response (as in laughing or

crying)
Refined, educated audience ‘Vulgar’, ‘dumbed-down’ audience
 Genres are no longer fixed elements but rather

rtoires of elements
fluid systems of learnt conventions and expectations.

The way in which the technical elements are used. Stars, costumes, editing
Audio-visual element style, music, voices, and other sound effects which you would associate
with particular genres.

Narrative Storyline- how the story is told. Action film, Romance film, et. al.

Ideological relations Symbolic representation of images. Racist perspective.

dity & Intertextuality
Genre-mixing is called hybridity, and
is part of the process referred to as
intertextuality
Intertextuality is the shaping of a 
text's meaning by another text.
EX. “Darna” line of Vilma Santos and Mimic by Vice Ganda from
his movie.
BLACK WIDOW THE SHREK
THE SIMPSONS
escapism, realism:::
A Case Study in Melodrama
Melodrama’s, like other popular forms, can
indeed be a valuable source of “escape”
from pressing everyday routine or
problems.
REALISM- STORYLINES ARE REALISTIC. IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAPPEN.
ESCAPISM- STORYLINES ARE WHEN THE VIEWER NEEDS TO ESCAPE FROM DAILY WOES TO
SOMETHING THAT WOULD NOT USUALLY HAPPEN IN REAL LIFE.
MELODRAMA IN FILM
 IS A WORK WITH EXAGGERATED,
SENSATIONAL EVENTS AND
CHARACTERS. STRONG
CHARACTERIZATION IS NOT A FEATURE
OF MELODRAMA RATHER, CHARACTERS
ARE ASSIGNED STEREOTYPICAL OR
SIMPLE ROLES, OFTEN IN ‘GOOD VS EVIL’
SITUATION.
EXAMPLE
STELLA DELLAS
 MELODRAMA &
NEWS
WE RECOGNIZE ITS REPERTOIRE OF
AUDIO-VISUAL CONVENTIONS
MAKE HEADLINES MORE EXCITING BY
TRIGGERING GENRE RESONANCES.

STORIES OF GLOBAL WARMING REFERENCED

“THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW” MOVIE.
STORIES OF SAVING PEOPLE– CLASSIFIED AS A
SUPERHERO OR AS A SUPERMAN.
MELODRAMATIC
ECHOES