http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Film_genre
Conventions are what you expect to hear or see in any given media product. For example in action/adventure films we expect heroes and villains and car chases.
Conventions of Paradigms
Genre function according to sets of rules and conventions, which govern their capacity and range. They respond to these rules and conventions by developing formulas and patterns. Overtime, these formulas and patterns may acquire not only typical, but even archetypal force, dominating ways of seeing and representing the world around us.
How are Paradigms grouped?
Iconography - the main signs and symbols that you see and hear.
Structure - the way a text is put together and the shape it takes
Theme - the issues and ideas the programme deals with
Why do we catergorise films?
Catergoroising films make it easier in order to find a particular film because there are a lot of different genres to pick from. Therefore, a particular audience may only like a certain type of genre, for example horror, and they may not want to watch other types of films, for example comedy. It is also an easier way for institutions to track what their audience are interested in watching as they can see what film genres are most popular and are able to create films that they think will make them the most profit because more people will be wanting to watch that specific type of genre
Positives and Negatives of Genre
Negatives - create stereotypes, people may not be open minded to genres - limited to what you like
Positives - easy to divide films into what you want to watch
Why do genres change over time?
Target audiences for genre can change over time, younger people have become more interested in films and going to the cinema however, older people may have become less interested. This is known as 'juvenilisation' of cinema. Audience may be more familiar with the codes and conventions of genre from reading similar texts. This means that the audience will enjoy watching them because of their wider knowledge of the codes and conventions and the films meet their expectations. However, some audiences may start to find this predictable and less enjoyable leading them to shift genres.
Changes in society also is a cause for changes in genre such as changing position women's roles, international conflict and race. An example for race would be Night of the Living Dead as a black character is one of the first black characters to be seen as the 'hero'. They therefore influence representations and trends in the media and genres shifting. Censorship and codes of conduct has influenced the change in genre as modern audiences are used to seeing more graphic sex and violence and it takes a lot to shock a younger audience, compared to the 50s/60s when nudity and swearing was unacceptable in film and was band from films. An example of this is Jaws as previously it would of been an 18 due to the graphic violence however it is now a 12 certificate because of the change of views. Different texts influence genre but also particular directors and stars impact on genre. Hitchcock, described as the master of suspense and has been seen to of been used in other thriller films.
Technology has changed over time and has become more advanced in the film industry including the invention of the Steadicam which allowed the camera to appear to float and enable the stalking shots that are important to horror. James Cameron was a major influence on 3D film as he created a company dedicated to 3D films and has made many of this type. Developments in technology has led to improved editing and is a lot easier to edit a film an include, for action, quick pace and sharp, fast cuts. Years ago camera quality wouldn't of been as good as they are now. Also cheap digital camera, although the quality isn't high, have enabled anyone to pick up a camera and create a film and edit at home, allowing the film industry to be more accessible. Another change in technology is the advance in special effects as they can now allow it to look more realistic and can be used for narrative as they can create characters for the film just through a computer. The use of green screen has an impact on the large film companies as they are able to create a film with high tech special effects that a independent company wouldn't be able to compete with due to lack of money for the cost of the special effects.
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