1. FM2 – Section C
Comparative Analysis of TWO US
films from the same genre

2. Learning
Introduce FM2 Section C
Objectives
Begin background
research in to our focus
films
Complete ‘People on the
Move’

3. Genre
What is a ‘Genre’?
Genre is a method of film categorisation
Genre refers to films that share similarities in their
narrative construction, themes, character types,
scenarios and aesthetic
“POP QUIZ HOT SHOT!”
You have 60 seconds to note down as many film
Genres as you can!
Aesthetic;
Visual style (what is
pleasurable to the eyes)

4. Genre
Pick ONE Genre from the list below and create a
list of elements you would expect to see in films of
that type
For example,
In Westerns we expect to see Cowboys and
Indians
Or
In Fantasy films we expect to see Magic,
wizards and fantastical events

5. Pick ONE Genre from the list below and create a list of elements you
would expect to see in films of that type

6. Convention
Each Genre is made up of characteristics and
recognisbale aspects – these are called
Codes & Conventions
Elements that are typical of a genre
These codes & conventions make films instantly
recognisable
Codes and conventions can include: specific use of the
micro elements, settings, props, character types,
themes, costumes and music

7. Genre
Genre is not only a term applied to film!
The concept of Genre has been around since the
earliest days of Art
Film Genres came into existence during the earliest
days of Classical Hollywood
During their earliest history Studios would utilise
genre to maximise the number of films produced
each year
Warner Bros. Star
James Cagney
This allowed Studios to r-use the same sets, portraying a
directors, crews, writers etc for multiple gangster. A role he
productions would reprise
many times in
Warner Bros.

8. Genre
The codes and conventions of a Genre can be split
in to Three Distinct groups:
Technical Symbolic Written/Audio
Camera
Use of colour Music
Techniques
Shot Types Costumes/Props Dialogue
Editing Transitions Mise-en-scene Sound Effects
Directorial style Performance Script

9. Watch the following trailers and complete your Genre handout
You put each convention/element in to ONE of the THREE
categories

10. Genre &
Audience
If a film audience is to understand and appreciate a genre film, they
must first be able to recognise the codes and conventions of that
genre
Why is this understanding important to:
The Audience?
The filmmakers?
Genre acts as a loose set of rules or guidelines for both filmmakers,
and the audience
Before we see a movie we have certain expectations.
We expect to see certain character types and conventions that we
find familiar.

11. Genre &
Audience
If our expectations are not met, we may be confused and disappointed
by the film
A filmmaker can follow the ‘rules’ (codes and conventions) of a genre
and in doing so appeal to a specific target audience.
Cinema-goers who like a certain genre of filmmaking will go in to the
cinema expecting to see elements that are familiar to them
For example, fans of Horror, will expect:
To be frightened
Dark, oppressive lighting
‘Monsters’ or elements of the super-natural
Gore / “Blood and Guts”
Usually a female protagonist / victim

12. Science Fiction
As a genre, Science Fiction gives filmmakers more scope, more
possibilities and more chance to explore taboo subjects and social
issues than any other
Many iconic Sci-Fi films are allegorical tales that contain many
different meanings
Example: Allegory;
Robots and Aliens are A story, poem, or picture
commonly used to that can be interpreted to
represent unknown reveal a hidden meaning,
threats, or threats to typically a moral or
society political one

13. Dystopian Alternative Futuristic
future: Future setting
State in which
the conditions of Robots / Aliens Armageddon
life are
extremely bad
(oppression/terr
or/deprivation) Advanced
Time Travel Technology /
SCI FI A.I.
Visionary
Isolation
In Groups
Create
What if...? a mind-map listing as many
Exploration of
conventions (consistent elements) of the
Unforeseen cultural issues
Sci-Fi genre
consequences
High Concept
of industrial
advancement Fear of the
Space Travel
unknown

14. Summary
A Genre is a type or film or film style
Genres are made up of codes and conventions
that act as a rough set of guidelines for films
Audiences expect certain codes and
conventions to be present in Genres
If these things are missing they will be left
disappointed and the film will suffer at the box
office
The Sci-Fi genre has long been used to
comment upon society or its conventions used
as allegorical devices