McDougall. J
We had a class discussion on the presentation 'Genre' on the link placed above.
The first slide explains Robert Altman's points which he wishes us to think about when talking about genre. Although some of the points are debatable there is evidence some are very true.
I disagree with the first point he makes about the text belonging to a particular genre as there is evidence with many hybrid films (films incorporating more than one genre) showing that you do not have to stick to one particular genre. Genre's have also been manipulated over the years, for example with sub-genres to attract a larger audience which always occurs with a mixture of genres as you get different types of people. Although our opening sequence was of the Horror genre it would have contained elements of other genres such as 'detective' as the plot was going to fallow the path of 'LAURA' finding out what happened to her friends in flat 111. It could also link to 'Romance' if she found a partner, or 'Action' with fighting. There are many possibles to link a particular genre with another.
Although with certain genres you have an expectation of what you are going to expect and certainly have stereotyped ideas from previous films of what it may contain, 'predictable' seems a very strong word. For example you guess that romantic films are going to contain relationships but at the same time there is a problem breaking it apart, although usually it works out for the best in the end. However I would not say all genres are predictable as producers know that audiences like to have that un-expected twist at the end they did not see coming as that is what attracts more people. Also that if there are to many of the same film, it looses its appeal. Although our opening sequence would have the predictable villain and victim, with a number or deaths presented in a mysterious way, it was not going to contain blood and with the superimposed images you did not get to see the deaths, just have an idea of what may have happened to them. I believe this technique is unlike many other
Horror films as they can be more obvious. Although our inspiration was from other Horror films that interested us, we did not want to copy there ideas as people would not be interested in watching a film similar to one they have already watched, such as 'The Strangers'.I definitely agree with his points that text in a genre share key characteristics and are ideological. As a genre is made up of key conventions outlining what makes it a genre, such as fighting in an action film, or laughter in a comedy, which help you identify what kind of film it is. Although not all films have to contain all the characteristics the genre contains, just aspects. Also genres are ideological because the producers, although will want to listen to the audience for popularity votes, will want to pursue the idea they want, and go through the measures to get there. Our Horror sequence was not going to contain blood as we did not think it would look realistic with the equipment we had, therefore breaking one of the 
conventions. However we did keep some with the mysterious location and anonymous villain. Also when questioning the public about which genre they would prefer we had a few more vote for comedy father than horror, although we decided that it was not a bad move to continue with horror as we new we all enjoyed this area of film and had more ideas.
The next point it also proven not be be correct in that there are many types of genre that were popular before hand, just less produced now- Westerns, Musicals, and Pirate films for example. At one point they were very popular, however then die down, but in certain cases broug
ht back to life with Moulin Rouge and Pirates of the Caribbean, which were a success, maybe because they haven't been round for a little while. This point does not really associate with our sequence as the horror genre is very popular at the moment. However was not so popular before and may become less apparent in the future at a time where ideas are low or there is a new, more developed type of horror which contains better effects. This process has already started to some extent with sub-genres.
Thoughts of Genre
conventions. However we did keep some with the mysterious location and anonymous villain. Also when questioning the public about which genre they would prefer we had a few more vote for comedy father than horror, although we decided that it was not a bad move to continue with horror as we new we all enjoyed this area of film and had more ideas.The next point it also proven not be be correct in that there are many types of genre that were popular before hand, just less produced now- Westerns, Musicals, and Pirate films for example. At one point they were very popular, however then die down, but in certain cases broug
ht back to life with Moulin Rouge and Pirates of the Caribbean, which were a success, maybe because they haven't been round for a little while. This point does not really associate with our sequence as the horror genre is very popular at the moment. However was not so popular before and may become less apparent in the future at a time where ideas are low or there is a new, more developed type of horror which contains better effects. This process has already started to some extent with sub-genres.Thoughts of Genre
Directors obviously have different influences for choosing a genre, from audience's to personal events. But what interests them the most personally, is what they would want to go for. That is why our opening sequence was on Horror as we all enjoy this category of film. So putting forth the conventions of what makes up each type of genre, for example singing in Musicals and Cowboys in Westerns, allows the audience to categorise films into a logical, natural pattern. So although we label and divide genre to serve particular interest, there is a lot or variety from people to people, therefore allowing the audience to get what they want, as there is usually always a new type of film compatible to personal preference. We faced this in our opening sequence as although the most popular genre was Comedy we thought we could achieve a higher outcome with the Horror genre, therefore went for our own interest.
A noun is a word used to name a person, animal, place, thing, and abstract area.
An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun, by describing, identifying, or quantifying words.
A noun is a word used to name a person, animal, place, thing, and abstract area.
An adjective modifies a noun or pronoun, by describing, identifying, or quantifying words.
'Genre' can be seen as both a noun and adjective because it is used to name the type of film, so to identify what type you are watching- Action, Crime, Sci-fi, whilst at the same time describes what type of film it is. Obviously the audience has a stereotype of the main conventions that build up that type of genre.
The Philosophical Question
The Philosophical Question
People associate certain elements with horror such as blood and murder, so if you were to take away main aspects people would find it harder identify what genre the film is from. Therefore your film is less likely to be recognised, and not sold. Much like the Tomato Puree, as you would expect it would be with the tomato's, or even the confectionery, but in fact is also found with the pasta, confusing people, maybe even drawing them away because they cannot find immediately what they are looking for. Although as in a supermarket, if you move food to a different isle, it could attract new clients who see it whilst passing. So with our opening sequence, although we did not follow all the conventions- the fact we did not incorporate blood, some people may become more interested as they usually like horror but do not enjoy the gory details of violent murders for example.
This is largely down to the packaging. Like with Tomato Puree, films can be placed with many different categorises, so the aim is the pick the best quality and work on it. The film could incorporate a few different genres, so should be marketed for the audience that it would most likely attract. For example children like bright, colourful displays which grab there attention, so you would not put a dull, wordy image on the front cover. Also some films have a genre that has not appealed to the masses for a little while, for example Pirates of the Caribbean. People would look at it and see it as a pirate film which would be off putting to many. However the campaign to promote it, and the way it was advertised made it much more appealing. For instance I personally saw it as more of an action film when I watched the first trailer, yet the star actors used were could also be a way to draw people in, so emphasis on Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom were used as they have there own audience built. The appeal of this film widely spread around the world and the positive word of mouth convinced people unlikely to see the film to go and watch it. Therefore outlining that if the packaging shows what you are going to get, and highlights the best quality of the product it is more likely to sell. Especially if it isn't in the place people would expect, much like the Tomato Puree in a different isle. Obviously our opening sequence did not contain star actors so could not be the main source of prom
otion other then to show new talent. I believe when campaigning the film it would be best to highlight the genre, plus the idea of a second one- 'detective', as it would help introduce a larger audience and not look like your typical horror movie. Also in the trailer for example to use a superimposed visual as it makes the film seem more interesting and different.
The genre will always be the genre, much like the tomato puree, it can appeal to different people and either be used in different ways- tomato puree, or have elements from other influences- Genre. But even if it is placed somewhere different on a shelf it will remain the same product.
This is largely down to the packaging. Like with Tomato Puree, films can be placed with many different categorises, so the aim is the pick the best quality and work on it. The film could incorporate a few different genres, so should be marketed for the audience that it would most likely attract. For example children like bright, colourful displays which grab there attention, so you would not put a dull, wordy image on the front cover. Also some films have a genre that has not appealed to the masses for a little while, for example Pirates of the Caribbean. People would look at it and see it as a pirate film which would be off putting to many. However the campaign to promote it, and the way it was advertised made it much more appealing. For instance I personally saw it as more of an action film when I watched the first trailer, yet the star actors used were could also be a way to draw people in, so emphasis on Johnny Depp and Orlando Bloom were used as they have there own audience built. The appeal of this film widely spread around the world and the positive word of mouth convinced people unlikely to see the film to go and watch it. Therefore outlining that if the packaging shows what you are going to get, and highlights the best quality of the product it is more likely to sell. Especially if it isn't in the place people would expect, much like the Tomato Puree in a different isle. Obviously our opening sequence did not contain star actors so could not be the main source of prom
otion other then to show new talent. I believe when campaigning the film it would be best to highlight the genre, plus the idea of a second one- 'detective', as it would help introduce a larger audience and not look like your typical horror movie. Also in the trailer for example to use a superimposed visual as it makes the film seem more interesting and different.
The genre will always be the genre, much like the tomato puree, it can appeal to different people and either be used in different ways- tomato puree, or have elements from other influences- Genre. But even if it is placed somewhere different on a shelf it will remain the same product.
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