Genre is like a cake…
When you make a cake you follow a recipe, in films the recipe is called the repertoire of elements. Most cakes use the same basic ingredients, same as in a genre film, these same ingredients are called generic conventions.
‘Genre is similarity and difference’ – Altman
This deceptively simple idea from Altman suggests that when you explore a film in terms of it’s genre you are essentially studying how far it follows the recipe and how far it subverts (mixes in new and unexpected ingredients) audience expectations.
TASK:
What are the ingredients (conventions) of a particular genre?
- In pairs or small groups given a genre (in secret) and you need to create a pictorial representation of that genre. The picture cannot include words, unless they are sound effects, which you might associate with the genre. You should include cartoon images of: characters, settings, props, events in the story, the look of the film…
- Once you’ve finished take a photograph of your poster, upload it to your school drive and e.mail it to your teacher.
- In about 20-25 minutes time your poster will be shown to the whole group and they have to look at those conventions on your poster and guess what the genre is.
Reflective Journal
- Please upload your poster image to your Reflective Journal
- Reflect on the elements of your poster, which refer to the repertoire of elements identified in this important document on genre & the repertoire of elements. (100 words max)
Independent Study
Watch one of the documentaries on genre by Mark Kermode:
