Repertoire of Elements

Repertoire of Elements

1. A genre isn't a category with a fixed criteria. The definition of a certain genre will change over time. Genre theorists have begun to refer to a repertoire of elements when describing a films genre. A film can draw on a repertoire of generic elements however two films drawing from the same repertoire will be different because no single film uses all elements.

2. Iconography

   • The term iconography refers to a classification of paintings based on common images or icons. Films contain both visual images and 'sound images'.
   • Some of the first film genres to be recognised shared recognisable images and sounds. e.g. A Hollywood gangster film with contain a machine gun, suits, speakeasies etc.
   • Some distinctive genres, such as Westerns, will use costume and manners as iconic images of the time and place that the film is set. Other genres such as comedies will use identifiable styles of music.

3. Style

   • Iconography refers to objects or sounds, style refers to how they are presented. Camera angles, composition, editing, the use of colour, special effects all make up the style of a film.

4. Setting

   • Some genres will have a distinct location e.g. a gangster or western movie are both associated with distinct time periods. However settings within a genre can change e.g. in the gangster film Bonnie and Clyde (US 1967), the setting changed tom the city streets to rural areas.
   • A range of sub-genres can form based on specific settings in a genre.

5. Narrative

   • Narrative refers to the story structures employed in films and the specific narrative devices to elements that are used in the making of the film.
   • Narratives are concerned with conflicts over ideas and values. Stories begin with the existing equilibrium between opposing forces is disrupted. Conflict will then ensue and will then be resolved so that a new equilibrium can be achieved.
   • Genres can be defined by how the narrative disruption is presented. As well as this narrative moments to set pieces are the most recognisable and eagerly anticipated elements of a film. E.g. chases and shoot-outs in a action film.

6. Characters

   • Narrative is usually developed through characters, the villain will usually cause the problem that will be solved by the hero. Genres will usually have particular villains and characters associated with them e.g. a gangster boss (Villain) and a federal agent (Hero) in a gangster film. Some characters can be so tightly associated to a genre that they become a generic type.

7. Themes

   • One of the attractions of a genre film is that they are often underpinned by universal themes (themes that interest a wide range of people). Using Levi-Strauss's binary-opposites theory, Jim Kitses identified opposites in a western film: East v West, Garden v Wilderness etc. These oppositions helped to expose the basis for narratives in Westerns and helped to explain why audiences found them interesting.
   • The concept of discourse- an argument or debate about a topic- is another way film theorists consider themes. E.g. Si-Fi films will deal with the discourse of technology- when technology goes wrong or takes over.