Film Genre and Genre Film

In Schatz’s article “Film Genre and The Genre Film”, he talks about the difference between film genre and genre film. He starts off by explaining that genre acts as a contract between filmmakers and the audience. He then and that genre films are the actual event that honors this contract, the film must contain many of the conventions that audiences expect of it. Schatz notes that film genre is both static and dynamic. How film genres have to balance the thin line between innovation and conventions. Filmmakers are required to honor their contract with audiences, but at the same time, audiences will not come if they are bored. Additionally, film genres must constantly be adapting to keep up with the changing times and technologies. Another interesting point Schatz makes is that audiences develop their own types of expectations as they watch more movies. It is interesting to think about how we come up with conventions on our own based on the movies we choose to watch.

Schatz talks about the conventions of characters and setting in genre films. He believes that a film’s treatment of conflict coupled with the familiarity of the film’s characters is what distinguishes different genres. He goes on to explain “that, it is not musical numbers themselves which identify these films as musicals” (697). While music is an important aspect of many different types of films, the way the story deals with conflict is what truly determines the genre of a film. In my opinion, I would classify any film with diegetic singing and synchronized dancing as a musical, but it is important to think about the other elements of the film. Maybe its Western elements, or ganger undertones have a greater affect on the story and conflict than the musical numbers.