Genre

Genre is the classification that relates similar styles of art. It allows us to categorize media easily. For example in spy films there are clear codes and conventions when it comes to the plot there tends to be a mission where something has to be done/acquired this usually requires going to an 'exotic' place. Themes often include betrayal and there is usually a happy ending. In terms of the mise-en-scene characters are usually wearing suits the whole look of the films is often flashy with expensive cars, gadgets etc.

Why is genre important? Genre is important for producers because it allows them to predict a target audience and also sets boundaries of what can and cannot be in the film for example in a family film you would not have gore or explicit language. Genre is also important for the audience because it allows the audience to know what they're in for meaning they're more likely to be satisfied with the product.

Genre has changed over the years and will continue to change because media mirrors society, for example horror films have changed drastically for a number of reasons. Things that are commonly feared change so tools used by film makers to scare you would keep up to date with this. Also rules over censorship have changed so films can be much more hyper realistic and gorey as opposed to old horror films which were more built up tense moments. It changes for a multitude of reasons; Changes in audience expectation (by this I mean people get bored of seeing the same things over and over again) - parody films are in response to this, Technological advancements mean graphics and effects improve and there is more freedom to make films visually better looking.

 In my opinion a film that changes the game in that it defies existing codes and conventions of genre and or creates new rules is one that plays with the perception of good and bad and one that has unexpected things happen and unexpected characters in it. A good example of this is the wire. It plays around with who we usually view as the 'bad guys' with the police sometimes seeming worse than the gangsters also an unexpected character of one of the main gangsters being gay - this is interesting because it is playing with our assumptions as an audience and making us reflect on why would deem that unexpected.