3 drafts for genre essays

“The audience may know what to expect, but are still excited by genre texts.”
To what extent is this true?

Intro
Essay will revolve on the discussion of ‘repetition and difference’ (Rick Altman’s theory). Using the slasher genre as a prime example; the need for certain expectations which will cause desirable emotional experiences is what is expected. However, target audiences esp. teenagers are not necessarily ‘excited by genre texts’ as the decline in the slasher genre is evident of this.

‘Increasingly we are all going to see the same ten movies’ (James Monaco) summarises the fact that despite the repetitive nature of genre texts, audiences will still consume generic and conventional films. 1980s- boom in slasher genre used the same conventions but merely in a different location and storyline. Yet the franchise of such films exemplified the great extent to which they had become so popular.

Visceral and sadistic pleasures – justified by the relaxation of censorship – is a key expectation present in even post modern slashers such as ‘Scream.’ Yet the need to subvert conventions to reinvigorate the genre shows that audiences are not ‘excited by genre texts’ as the vast amount of repetition eliminates any sense of novelty. However, Scream parodied such conventions and expectations successfully thus proving that the pastiche of conventional expectations still do excite audiences who consume genre texts.

Satisfaction and reassurance of expectations and generic conventions is integral in pleasing and exciting audiences. Too much difference would cause alienation and an opposed reading. ‘Before and after’ view: negotiation between audience and producer, they know what is successful and thus respond to these demands- uses and gratifications theory (Blumer and Katz)

Genre is an ‘interplay between confirmed expectation and novelty’ (Douglas Pye 1975) and therefore genre is dynamic and fluid. If a genre remained static, then it would be increasingly short-lived. Genre responds to wider contexts as did Scream to fit into post modern society.

Conclusion
Hence audiences may indeed know what to expect but are ‘excited by genre texts’ not because they merely satisfy previous pleasures of a film but because they always offer something new and refreshing. Even the slasher films of the 1980s showed great variance which proved very successful.



Account for the popularity of one genre of your choice. Illustrate your answer with examples.

The slasher genre increased its popularity esp. in the late 1970s and 80s when it appealed and communicated with a clear-cut audience of teenagers. The visceral and escapist pleasures satisfied target audiences and therefore the genre evolved and adapted to the needs of its audiences by eventually reaching to the current stage of post modernity and parody.

With the relaxation of censorship and the implicit effects of the Vietnam War which projected many violent images and themes into media productions – the slasher genre became increasingly mainstream. Granddaddy – Psycho- Alfred Hitchcock.

Conventions evolved as the social and economical landscape too changed. The haunting location changed from the haunted house on the hill to the supposed safe suburban setting. A stark reminder that evil was indeed everywhere and a ‘white flight’ would not solve such a real threat.

Furthermore, binary oppositions between good/evil and the inefficiency of the authorities as opposed to the resourcefulness of the teenagers became a familiar trait which appealed even more to the target audience- proving the usefulness and relevance of the before/after review. E.g. Nightmare on Elm Street, v. popular.

Decline in popularity of slasher genre – too much repetition, little ‘novelty’ and subversion. Audiences became desensitised. Emulation became tired and formulaic. However, reinvigoration and post modern stage has ensured its return as a popular genre.

Recent developments in genre have included the emergence of parody, pastiche and hybrid forms. Show how such developments have influenced the nature of media texts.

Introduction
The concept of genre is indeed dynamic and fluid, often they reflect the zeitgeist. The slasher genre is a prime example as being ‘subject to constant process of change and adaptation.’ Therefore it is no surprise that ‘recent developments’ in the slasher genre have become characteristic with ‘parody, pastiche and hybrid forms:’ collectively known as post modern texts.

Developments in genre occur because negotiations between producers and audience are forever-changing. Rick Altman’s ‘before and after’ view analyses how producers decide what formulae will be most successful – what to repeat and differentiate and the success is determined by audiences limiting risk for further productions. In the 1980s slasher films epitomised by Halloween we see the suburban setting, group of teenagers who are resourceful as opposed to the inefficiency of the authorities, the final girl etc – all of which became familiar traits and conventions. Suburban setting became popular: insecurity of the American home and N.F, plus the destabilising effects of the Vietnam War. Was a key development in the slasher genre.

However, the genre soon went through a decline period as audiences perhaps became desensitised and films themselves became too predictable (producers must have thought there was too much risk involved to differentiate). Wider influences – low budget video sales catered for the teenage demographic who no longer had to consume films at the cinema. The genre consequently went through a reinvigoration period – with the emergence of ‘parody, pastiche and hybrid forms’- epitomised by Scream 1996- Wes Craven. Craven used the all too familiar conventions to almost mock the genre itself by using post modern concepts such as self-referentiality, for e.g. the characters urged that it was not a film but real life as one of the characters talks about “the rules” – overt parody and pastiche. They are even watching Halloween at the time. The post modern aspect contributed to the differentiation of the genre – teenage demographic once again became enticed.

The mass success of Scream can also be accounted for the genre itself as it clearly was in a ‘hybrid form’ – thriller elements with the ‘who dunnit’ theme. The issues brought up by the lifestyles of the teenagers reflected the anxieties that teenagers face in the adult world – do not have economic stability and their social status is ambiguous – problems with boyfriends, sexuality and growing up hence reminiscent of a high school teen comedy.

To conclude - the post modern stage of genre is merely typical of the fragmented nature of society today. Slasher genre has even influenced rap music - Eminem - parodies Texas Chainsaw Massacre therefore in a post modern sense