Research- Task 11- what is Genre?

Genre is a type or category of film. Genres are used as a way to categorise different products that share similar features or characteristics.

Genre is important in the Media and Film industries because it helps establish different media forms. it also helps to establish certain codes and conventions that film makers can follow in order to make the product look a certain way, to achieve a certain effect and attract a specific audience who is a fan of the genre.  Lastly it helps audiences to develop personal tastes around genre and consumption (what they do and don’t like).

Other than a genre, films may also contain a sub-genre, which is a specific division in the genre. It may also have a hybrid genre which is a genre that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres.

A way to detect a films genre is by looking at the codes and conventions the genre may be recognized by. E.g the conventions of the horror movie is that it is usually set in a dark location, which contains a dark history/past that will unveil itself. It also often contains a old, derelict and abandoned building. 

Genre Preferences
Genre Preference 1: one genre of film I like is Teen Drama.
 A reason why I like this genre is because it’s often relevant to teenagers mostly teenage girls, as many teenagers may be facing certain issues which are highlighted in teen dramas.  The convention of this genre includes things like having the perfect prom, a good high school (secondary school) experience, the social groups/cliques that exist, conflicts that take place with peers & older generation and lastly being set in American school. Example of films from this genre is: Wild child, Mean girls, Another Cinderella story, Sorority wars and lastly the sisterhood of travelling pants.

Genre Preference 2:

Another genre I like is Sci-Fi. The reason why I like this genre is that ideas of what the future may contain is expressed. Since no one exactly knows what the future may hold, Sci-Fi films is a way to convey an idea which may possibly happen e.g living or moving into space. e.g Star Wars: the force awakens, Avatar, Wall.e, Earth to Echo, Star Trek: Into Darkness.                                                      

Genre Preference 3:

And lastly my favourite genre out of the ones above is Action. The reason why I like action movies is that there is often a hero or a good guy trying to save the city from harm and crime. E.g in a film like The Dark Knight Batman saves Gotham City from the joker. Another example of an action that has a similar theme is The Fast and Furious series, because is has themes of car racing, heists, helping and running from cops.