Genre is a term that defines a category,style or type of a media product.
Stephen Roy Albert Neale is a British philosopher and specialist in the philosophy of language who has written extensively about meaning, information, interpretation, and communication, and more generally about issues at the intersection of philosophy and linguistics.
Steve Neale believes that genre are instances of
repetition/convention and differences/subversions.
Examples of genre:
-Horror
-Action
-Adventure
-Comedy
-Romance
-Romantic Comedy
-Science Fiction(Sci-Fi)
-Animation
-Drama
-Melodrama
-Fantasy
-Documentary
And more
Repetition/Convention
-Things that can be familiar in films or things that have been repeated over time
-Easy to identify
For example in an adventure film;
Mise-en-scene/setting- usually in jungles,deserts,forest,island and etc.
Props- carry weapons such as swords,knifes or guns and they also had backpacks,maps,shelters,compass etc.
Sound- mostly can be heard the natural sounds for eg the waterfalls or crickets at night.
Camera setting- vertical camera angle to show the natural landscapes and fast camera work as most characters has energetic scenes such as running or chasing.
Characters- usually brave,fearless,courages or clever etc.
Differences/Subversions
-Differences is important in genre because it may engage audience better.
-As it is new and original and different from other films that audience have been exposed to in the same genre.
For example in 'Cast Away' film;
-The character is alone in the island with no one to help him and no food,water or shelter.
-He also build his own shelter and weapons.
-Engaging because it is completely new and new experience on an adventure films as audience will learn how to survive on a deserted island alone.
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