Genre

Everyone has a favourite genre, whether it is Comedy, Action or Sci-Fi Thriller. All are portrayed in different ways and uses different conventions to suit people's interests and personalities. Different genres use conventions to draw in their audiences, the audience then becomes familiar with these conventions and allows them to define the different genres.

Producers use different codes and conventions, including:

• Visual Codes
• Auditory Codes
• Textual Codes
• Narrative Codes

So when they see or hear these conventions, they know what genre they will be watching. For example; when audiences watch a western they expect; Cowboys and Indians, Dust balls, deserts, steam trains and murder, just to name a few. But why do people watch different genres? I think it is to be able to escape that reality and be able to chose your own mood.

Me personally, I have two favourite film genres. The first one is comedy. This is because everyone can relate to a funny film. I see it as something that brings people together to have a good laugh. I love watching comedy films with friends and family because the reactions can be so different. Everyone can find a different angle from a joke. Mainly because the jokes can be so versatile that most people are able to find them funny. Sometimes it’s nice to watch a comedy because it takes the seriousness away from everything. Which is the main point in a film, to take its audience out of reality and entertain them.

The second genre I love is Romance, or Romantic Comedy, which ties in with the first. I find that the sheer unrealistic nature of these films is enough to draw anyone in. I love watching people fall in love, even if it isn’t real. It just brings happy thoughts; in maybe someday it could be you. Or even the fact that sometimes the things you want do become a reality. (Unlike the film itself) It brings almost a false sense of hope, but I think it serves its purpose; to entertain and give the audience what they want to see.