STEVEN NEALE- GENRE THEORY

Question 1

What is Neale’s main idea behind genre theory?

Answer 1

• Genre’s are NOT fixed but DYNAMIC categories.
• Evolving through repetition and difference.
• They also exists within an economic/ industrial framework.

Question 2

Summarise Neale’s genre theory

Answer 2

1. Genre’s follow conventions (repetition)
2. Audiences enjoy/expect genre conventions.
3. Genre’s change and evolve (become fluid)
4. Genre’s exist within an economic and industrial framework.

Question 3

‘Genres follow conventions (repetition)’…?

Answer 3

• Genres use familar conventions that audiences recognise.

Question 4

How does genre link with audiences expectations? Why do genres use conventions that audienes recognise?

Answer 4

• Audiences enjoy recognising genre conventions (comfort in familarity)
• BUT-) too much repetition leads to predictability/boredom. So-) variation and subversion keeps audiences interested.

Get Out (2017) uses horror conventions (jump scares, eerie music) but subverts expectations with its racial and social commentary.

Question 5

Genres are fluid and not fixed..?

Answer 5

• As genres change through variation, hybrid genres emerge (combining elements of multiple genres).

Question 6

Genre’s exist within an economic and industrial framework.

Answer 6

• Media industries use genres to
  1. Help marketing by highlighting key genre elements (explosives in action movie posters)
  2. Minimize risk and maximize profit (audiences are more likely to watch something familiar).
  3. Target audiences

Question 7

Can you apply Genre theory to the newspaper industry?

Answer 7

• Repetition= following traditional jouranlistic conventions to make them recognisable to audiences.
• Differences= Newspaper evolve to stay relevant via digital platforms, hybrid journalism, new editorial styles.

Hybrid journalsim- encorpretaing spcial medoa trends/user generated content.
New editorial styles- Gurdians witty columnists
Digital platforms- hyperlinks to podcasts, yt, SM