The Genre Debate

Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?
Genres do have the ability to stay timeless depending on the reputation and reaction of the films in it; if these films are all good and have fan bases than they may be able to stay timeless. However if the genre is full of niche market made films than this could make it seem cheap and repetitive giving the genre no cutting edge when it comes to new releases therefore it does not coincide with Janet Steiger's four ways of defining a film because it will not be accepted by cultural expectation or predetermined standard, more specifically compared to other films in the genre.

We can label films, in relation to Robert Stam theory; about how genres are defined through the performer or persona acting; an example of this is  Jean-Claude Van Damme films as they are usually involving the same type of character and then the audience no exactly what to expect.


Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
I think hybrid genres are developing a lot because films need to meet audience expectations and preferences.  It is no longer that an audience expects to see one type of genre in a film, they expect a genre within a genre so that is why they are developing so much.  An example of this is Avatar, there are many genres in this film so it is hard to label one specific genre.  This film was extremely popular with the viewing public all over the world due to having a hybrid genre.


Choose one of your products and choose how it does or doesn't conform to a genre?


I think that our thriller project only works as a thriller because it contains very little other characteristics that could be related to other genres. This also means that is does not really work as a hybrid genre as it can only really be linked to a thriller type of movie.

Batman Begins Narrative Theory

Tzvetan Todorov

Beginning: Young Bruce Wayne falls down a well and fear bats, while an older Bruce Wayne is released from Prison and meets Henri Ducard. Past reveals itself to show that his parents are killed.

Middle: The Scarecrow becomes the main villain who is poisoning people minds and makes them go crazy of their fears.

End: Henri Ducard & Ra's al Ghul make Gotham City go into chaos and Bruce Wayne as Batman saves the day.

Equilibrium to Disequilibrium: Young Bruce and childhood friend are playing about all seems well until, he falls down the well and the present day Bruce is in Jail.

New and Improved equilibrium: Bruce regains control of Wayne Insustries after daving Gotham from complete destruction and hires Morgan Freeman to head Wayne Industries. However he does not gain the reward of a love interest, Rachel.

Hero > Bruce Wayne/ Batman
Villain > Scarecrow
Donor > Alfred/Lucius
False Hero > Henri Ducard
Dispatcher > Police, Bruce & Rachel
Helper > Alfred/Lucius/Police
Princess > Rachel
Father > Mr Wayne

Toy Story

Hero - Woody
Villain - Lots O Huggin Bear
The Donor - Roly Poly Clown and CO.
The False Hero - Lotzo Hugging Bear
The Dispatcher - Andy 
The Helper - Buzz and the Gang 
The Princess - mrs potato head
The Father - Andy