Homework- genre theories
Rick Altman-
Genres are often defined by codes, ideologies or narratives, for example
Jonathan Culler –
generic conventions exist to establish a contract between creator and reader so as to make certain expectations effective, allowing compliance and deviation from the accepted modes. We understand films because we understand the generic conventions
Steve Neale argues that Hollywood’s generic regime performs two important functions: i) to guarantee meanings and pleasures for audiences ii) to offset the considerable economic risks of industrial film production by allowing companies to make films they know will be popular . He also said 'genres are instances of repetition and difference' and have changed as society has changed. As part of the develop of the genre Neale also argues that we can see evidence of hybridity - where genres mix together (eg horror, comedy and romance in Shaun of the Dead.
1.What is your favourite film or TV genre?
Crime/Drama
2.What do you expect to see when you watch this genre (conventions - think media language, narrative, character types, themes etc)
- Often set in places such as New York or other densely populated areas like Rio or London.
- Often has characters such as a heroic police officer or a Mob boss often Italian american organised crime or another form of organised crime or it could just an average person that has been lead to a life of crime through unfortunate circumstances. Examples of this could be Good fellas, The godfather, The Irishman, Sopranos, Snatch, Trainspotting, heat, Lock stock and two smoking barrels, the departed and City of god and many more.
- Often involve weapons and violence and of course crime.
- Gangsta films often include themes of the american dream and are based around true historical events at the time.
- Crime films often also tackle themes of morality and justice
Why do you like this genre (audience pleasures)?
Crime films often keep you on the edge of your seat with anticipation of what is going to happen next with all the twists and action that is often the primary objective of a crime film as they often make for a thrilling experience. Another reason people like crime films is despite the awful actions that the protagonists often commit they are usually quite likable as the audience often follows them throughout the film and often in gangster films follows them through their struggles into power into an admirable lifestyle and we grow to like them as we feel attached to the character after following them throughout their journey to the top. Another appealing factor of crime films is that they often relate to real historical events or periods and they are often quite realistic compared to other genres of film and give us a look into aspects of life that the audience often aren't familiar with.
How do you recognize this genre in posters (marketing)?
Crime movie posters often include multiple of the main characters in a pose of action with some kind of weapon and are quite complex showing cities or landscapes in the background.
What are some recent films/ TV shows of the genre(companies making popular films)?
Has the genre changed over time?
Throughout the years crime films have changed quite drastically in the early days of the genre the genre often consisted of detective movies and a lot of the early crime films fit into the noir film movement. In the 70's after the release of influential gangsta films such as The godfather the genre saw a big increase in crime films based around organised crime gangs and mobs and crime films set in New York. In the 90's the crime genre had a big surge in heist films and this continued throughout the 2000's this period of the genre saw the highest amount of heist films released some of the most influential of the time being the Oceans films, Heat, reservoir dogs, Drive and lock stock and two smoking barrels.
What is a memorable film that you have seen that did something different?
Inception, a film that possibly comes under the category of a heist movie making it a part of the crime genre however not in the typical sense as it is a heist but not taking material items but the concept is that they are planting an idea in the victims head somewhat making it a heist movie but the opposite way round as the people doing this are criminals and have to commit a crime to achieve this however the act it's self is not necessarily a crime. Another film that takes a different approach to the genre is Cidade de Zeus (City of God) this film takes a different approach to the genre as it tackles a different setting to many other films of the genre Rio de Janeiro in which we see two characters grow up ion this environment and the different paths they take, One of the main characters rocket despite enduring a harsh upbringing becomes a photographer to record what happens within the city this type of narrative where the character has this sort of upbringing and overcomes it to take a different path away from crime is not often explored within the genre of crime. Another thing that Stands out about City of God is just how realistic it feels something adding to this realism is the lack of proffesional actors with the film and the fact that the cast primarily consists of actual people living in the slums of Rio adding to the realism of the film making for quite a unique experience within the genre where the film has a documentary type film to it this is different to other films within the genre that have unrealistic plots.
Do any of the films/ TV programmes you have watched show evidence of hybr
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