Unit 26-- Assignment 1-- Analyzing the Genre Theory-- Task 4

Genre as a system -

The 'genre as a system' theory which was proposed by the theorist Steve Neale. This theory talks about films and their genres, suggesting that the genre of a film is a center point for a system whereby everything and everyone benefits from it.
In other words this means that it is a system which is continuously ongoing; the industry (production company) release a film-- this film is viewed by audience members taking in account the preferred genre-- soon the institute get intakes of money following the marketing and distribution of the film--The make a new film out of this money and the process continues. A genre simply means kind or type, it is a way of simplifying what kind of film you're watching.


The term 'repetition and difference' refers to the generic conventions commonly seen in films, that an audience can spot in a specific genre.
Below I am going to provide various examples from a range of genre's applying this theory where necessary.
The first film genre I will talk about the superhero genre. Most superhero films in our modern era have overpowered cinema and brought in new ideas for film. Before, the cinema was dominated mainly with films that have western or musical genres. The clip below is a trimmed part of the western movie ' The Magnificent Seven'. (This film has a remade version of it, waiting to be released in 2016) In the clip we see the generic conventions of a western film, some of the props we're introduced to are guns, and ropes- these are items which we'd normally expect to appear in a western film.
Also the narrative is quite iconic of western films, where it is usually about maintaining law and order, it is sometimes rooted from the archetypal conflict - 'White hat Vs. Black hat'.

The clip I have given is a good example of this, because here the plot is based around a Mexican farming village who are being terrorized each year by a bandit, they threaten to return so the farmers go out to America to look for gunman to protect them, and end up with seven. So this example, shows bad Vs. good. Films like these were an iconography of the 1940s- the target audience here feel center pointed, almost like they're a referee, although I unfortunately am not a target audience, I know I would feel that way. I can apply Neale's repetition and difference theory because here it conforms with it, audience members of that time would have also expected these generic conventions in the same way modern day audience members would. The only thing now is to see whether the 2016 remake adds a new prop, or plot change etc and effects the generic convention of this western movie.
The audience gain satisfaction from seeing something they're used to, because if otherwise the target audience for this film genre wouldn't be getting what they deserve.

Another repetition I have spotted commonly used in the western genre is the sound design. Throughout western movies there is diegetic sounds, one of which is from a gun shot, as you can see in this scene from 'Yuma' the diegetic sound helps the pureness of the film stay neutral, as the film is set in a rural environment which is 'artificial free' if you like , not like in the city. This helps the realism of the film, and adds to the narrative. I think if it was a sound effect it wouldn't be as realist, another thing is that it helps the rawness of the film stay as it is. The audience gain pleasures such as social interaction with friends, discussing their intrigue to the story line.


Superhero movies with the action genre are ones that I'm quite interested in , so I have decided to talk about it rather than the single action movie. Below I will research into different superhero movies, and discuss the repetition and differences that I find. As a genre, I would say that it is aimed mostly at a younger audience aged 6- the age of 17. Having said this many older audiences members in their late 20s are still quite interested in it, I think this is the targeted audience because when you're young you think that the superheros are real and that they actual go around saving the city, they're a dominant figure for young children, a role model they aspire to be. Older audience members (unless very childish) are more mature and so not so fantasized by this genre.

kick ass- non conformity to the generic conventions of a superhero movie because the character all don't have powers to make them superheros they just have gadgets to help them. Some have just the ability to fight - which suits it better for the genre of action and the superhero element is excluded making the film really unattractive. Because when people see
Also, superhero played here is a geeky young teen - not a handsome muscly chap with amazingly bred hair! This puts off an audience who are generally used to watching handsome superheros save the day, such as Christian Bale or Peter Parker.



Another generic convention is the typical mise-en-scene repeatedly seen throughout superhero movies. This is a long shot used to show that the film is set in an urban place. The city, which would be typical as superheros usually 'save the city'. I think this is a generic convention not just because I have seen it in various superhero movies but also because overall this shot is quite popular throughout cinema.


Batman- non typical of superhero movie because the main character has no powers - but typical of the genre of 'action' as there are many explosions and fight scenes / elements of death.
Target audience would be those who love the action genre but fantasize about superheros. In my opinion I think that superhero movies and action movies are merging together nowadays, although it is quite beneficial to have these two major genres together in one film, it is also useful to note that if one wasn't there the other wouldn't be their also. Mainly because superheros have to save the day by going through a series of fights and attacks and possibly murder in order to win the girl and save the city. This means that there has to be action as a genre, without action and fighting the superhero character is worthless because he isn't a 'superhero' he is just like everyone else.

This long shot from 'The Dark Night Rises' is again typical of superhero movies. Here Batman looks to Gotham city, that he endeavors to save. I reckon this is quite a good way to expressing the usual plot / narrative of a genre like this. The directors creative elements work successfully as they try to show their audience the two sides of the story almost.

Comedy is another interesting genre to analyze, because here the main generic convention I can spot is typical actors or characters that we see in most comedy films. Without these characters the comedy genre would be very unpopular, this means that once we see that this typical character is yet again starring in a comedy movies we're satisfied as this is what we expect.

 I am going to be talking about the film 'Dumb and Dumber. Because this film was really successful in my opinion simply because of the extremely funny characters, who never fail to entertain us throughout. The two main characters in the film are Jeff Daniels and Jim Carrey, these two characters in the film are very entertaining and for this reason they're often seen in comedy movies. Many people watching this film will recognise them and as they're very funny will enjoy watching the film. By using typical characters you're more guaranteed to gain audience engagement through entertainment.