B) Genre

STEPHEN NEALE

- argues that 'genres are instances of repetition and difference.'
- particular features that are regarded as characteristics of a genre are not unique to that very genre.
- It is not the elements within the genres, but their prominence, combination and functions which are distinctive.
- 'difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre.'
- Highlights how repetition would not attract an audience.

BURTON's Six Elements

- Suggests that each text in any genre, shares elements to make up a very generic and simplistic formula.  These include:

• Protagonists
• Stock Characters
• Plots
• Stock Situations
• Icons
• Backgrounds
• Decor Themes

DAVID BUCKINGHAM

- argues that 'genre is not... simply "given" by the culture: rather, it is in a constant process of negotiation and change'
- one pleasure may be due to the recognition of the features of a particular genre because of our familiarity with it.  Recognition of what is actually important (and what is not), comes from our general understanding of the genre itself.  This is necessary when following a plot.
- genre's offer many emotional pleasures such as empathy and escapism.  This feature of ESCAPISM, is something that some people and theorists tend to lose sight of.

LACEY'S REPERTOIRE OF ELEMENTS

She considers to variety of elements that all come together to create the framework for particular genres.   These include:

• Setting
• Character
• Narrative
• Iconography
• Style

See's genres not as fixed, but dynamic and something that changes over time.  

GLEDHILL (1985)

No 'rigid rules of inclusion and exclusion.'

'Genre... are not discrete systems, consisting of a fixed number of listable items.'

CHANDLER (2000)

It is difficult to make clear cut distinctions between one genre and another: genres overlap and there are 'mixed genres' such as comedy thrillers and romantic comedies.

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Practice Essay for the Question: 'Analyse one of your coursework productions in relation to genre.'

For the production of my A2 Advanced portfolio, I focused on creating a drama trailer.  Despite there being no clear hybrid of genre's like the majority of films, I thought that I could challenge typical conventions of the drama genre, to add another dimension to my own idea.  I followed the general concept of the drama genre so that my target audience would be able to identify the film that they would be watching.  This is important as it made it easier to market, so my audience would know what they are watching, or about to watch.