Analysing Genre

Analysing Genre

Defines as: Kind, sort, class. It is useful because it creates order to sort mass information. It puts category into large texts. What decides is put in which genre is based on the common elements that they contain. This makes genres useful as well as convenient because it allows the audience to identify them specifically by their familiar and recognisable characteristics.

Hybridity and Sub-genres

Genres can also contain sub-genres. For example, disaster, chick flicks, courtroom dramas and fantasy are all sub-genre. Basically topics that are relevant but not big and broad enough to class as a full genre.

Examples of a film genre.

Film Genre	Purpose of Genre	Film examples
Drama	Purpose of this is to move the audience emotionally. Focuses on realistic characters and their overall development.	The Godfather.
Thriller	Revolves around anticipation and suspense. Keep the audience alert and at the edge of their seats at all times.	The Dark Knight Heat
Science Fiction	Written more with a social purpose rather than a goal. Perhaps to predict the future. To perhaps give more of a message towards the audience.	Star Wars Wonder Woman Guardians of the galaxy

Analysis of a watched trailer

Convention	Effect	Key Techniques
Quick-flashing scenes	Forces the readers mind to pay attention. The fast pace challenges the reader to keep up with the story.	Quick-cuts Rapid Transitions
A group of armed men walking out from a burning area.	The effect of looking ‘cool’, and arousing questions about the scenario, drawing viewers to the film.	Long-shots Medium Angle
Silhouette approaching a massive crowd slowly	Gives the idea that some intense characters and situations are involved in the story. Only a few seconds of the scene is shown to give an effect of suspense.	Medium close-up No lighting on the character, only light coming from outside. Dramatic effect.

Convention	Effect	Techniques
Deep voice commentating over the trailer	Conveys a message that the commentary is over something special – in this case a rising star. From trash to championship.	Voice over
Cheap(ish) clothing	Shows his working-class background, captivates the reader to see how he climbs up the ladder to fame	Mise-en-scene
Out in the streets, basic home, a meat locker	More showing of his working class background. This along with his talent is highly relatable and motivational towards a fairly wide audience.	(Location) – mise-en-scene

-Rocky (Movie)