Genre Theory Flashcards
What is Steave Neale’s theory?
The importance of genre to our understanding of film culture
Why are genres important?
They foster a culture of verisimilitude
Verisimilitude
The amount of realism a product has
Lack of verisimilitude
Not a lot of realism in the product
Alot of verisimilitude
The product shows realism
Key concepts to extend our understanding of genre
> Narrative Structure and Codes
Cinematic Signifiers
Technical Codes
Representation
How can we classify films?
> Specific Variations
Interplay of Codes
What is meant by Interplay of Codes?
A film’s message is encoded through:
> Costumes
> Set
> Dialogue
> Non - diegetic sound
> Camera shots and movement
> Light techniques
> Narrative structure
> Many other signs.
How is a film’s message encoded?
> Costumes
Set
Dialogue
Non - diegetic sound
Camera shots and movement
Light techniques
Narrative structure
What did Neale describe films as?
> “A series of signifying processes” which created “Meanings and position”
An example of a use of costumes in genre theory
> Can help locate the story in a particular social and historical context
An example of a use of tone and dialogue in genre theory
> We know a character is angry if the actor delivers their line in a violent or aggressive manner
An example of a use of sound in genre theory
> Use of pulsing heartbeats
Eerie music in a scary film
What are “Specific variations” of codes?
Repetition of codes
Examples:
Horror films - supernatural, gore, evil
Sci-fi - Otherworldly, spaceships, outer space
