Genre

Genres are categories based on content and emotions that they provoke. Films have to follow certain conventions to fit a certain genre.

We have genre to appeal to different social types and so that producers can appeal to a certain target audience.

Each genre have different conventions that they follow inorder to appeal to their target audience. For example, a light hearted atmosphere will be created in a comedy film and bright colours will be used. In contrast to this, in a horror film, a dark and sinister atmosphere will be created and dark colours may be used such as black which connotes death.

Conventions can come in three forms:

• Visual Conventions-the ones you can see
• Audio Conventions- the ones you can here
• Thematic conventions-the themes we identify with the narrative

Each genre has certain conventions that it follows and signifies included within a film. For example, most horror films have low key lighting and create a dark and mysterious atmosphere. A general signifier in a horror is a knife and blood, both symbolising death. In contrast, conventions of a romance film include high key lighting and up beat music. A signifier may be a rose which symbolises love.

There are also three types of genre:
Majour
Minor
Hybrid