THE REPERTOIRE OF ELEMENTS

THE REPERTOIRE OF ELEMENTS

1. ICONOGRAPHY

   • This term derives from Art History and refers to a classification of paintings based on common images or icons. An 'icon' was originally a small reproduction of the Christ figure. Films contain both visual images and 'sound images'.
   • Some of the first film genres to be identified and studied shared immediately recognisable images and sounds
   • Elements of 'Mise-en-Scène', such as costumes, manners, props, lighting, are used as iconic images, giving the genre its recognisable and distinctive features.

2. STYLE

   • 'Style' is a similar concept to 'Iconography' in that they both refer to the single elements that when combined, lead to the overall film. However, 'Style' focuses more on the presentation of the objects and sounds

3. SETTING

   • Some genres have a distinct location. For example, 'Gangster' movies are stereotypically set in the street alleys of American Cities, particularly New York.
   • Genres tend to have a specific and distinct time periods, e.g. 'Western' are often set during the late 19th Century, following the Civil War.

4. NARRATIVE

   • Genres can, in part, be defined by how the narrative disruption is presented. For example, a 'Melodrama' often centres on family conflict. The narrative of a 'Gangster' film sometimes focuses on a drugs baron trying to take over an area.
   • The 'Narrative' of genres refer to both the story structures and the specific narrative devices or elements that are used in the construction (e.g. action packed car chases and dance sequences)

5. CHARACTERS

   • The narrative of a film is usually developed through its characters. Typically, the antagonist causes the narrative problem, leading to the requirement of the protagonist resolving it.
   • Genres are defined through the typical types of distinctive characters. An example of this would be the 'Superhero' genre, which usually presents a strong, handsome and courageous hero, as he battles against an powerful alien-like creature.

6. THEMES

   • The themes within a film often allows it to be linked with others, and therefore into a category - or a genre. For example, 'Romantic Comedies' experience love, passion and marriage.

7. AUDIENCE RESPONSE

   • Due to the idea that audiences go to the cinema in search of a sensation, they become fans of a particular genre, based on their liking of the sensation. Examples of these sensations are the 'adrenaline-rush' of 'Action' films, and the 'edge-of-your-seat' tension of a 'Suspense Thriller' film.