R1- The horror genre

GENRE THEORY

Theorists such as John Fiske also argue that genre "attempts to structure some order into a wide range of texts and meanings that circulate in our culture..." He believes that genre is a way of categorising texts and media in a media saturated society. According to Fiske, genres allows the producers to identify any expectations the audience wil have, it sets the convetions and criteria which helps inthe production stage genres also help define narratives and ideologies.

Moreover, Daniel Chandler highlighted key features of genre from both filma dn text narratives for example, having genres provide the basic theme(s) for a film, it ensures that a film follows a particular narrative which allows the producer to articualte their messages clearly. 

Genres also set up the basis of filming, trailer and poster techniques as it has a framework of how to appeal to the audience through the MES EN SCEN, Camera shots and angles as well as sound. it makes clear to the producer what appeals to the consumers what they like or dislike therefore in order for directord to produce a high quality film sticking to a genre allows them to identify their audience appeal.

The horror genre is designed to frighten, shock and disgust whilst evoking our hidden fears which is both entertaining and captivating. They are often centered around the dark side of life, the forbidden, the strange and unexplainable events. They deal with our most primal nature: our vulnerability, nightmares and the terror of the unknown.

Lawrence Grossberg’s theories on the disscusion relationship between genres:

Grossberg defiens a genre by shared conventions. Key conventions include lighting, camera techniques and the sophisticated used of sound.

Ambient sound is often amplified and certain sounds are emphasised to make the scene more intense. Low-key lighting and non-naturalistic lightning is used to create a suspenseful scene. Handheld shots are often used in order to create a ‘dark’ or confusing element. Secondly, Grossberg believes a genre can be defined by the expectations individuals come into the film with. The audience often expect to be thrilled and scared. They expect there to be monstrous like creatures and a distinct link between the unseen and reality which is followed by a disastrous climax. Intertextual relations – making reference to one movie/novel through another text. 

It has been argued that “Genres are not simple and stable categories... they are constantly changing” perhaps, genres are a social construct. Films such as The Exorcist and Poltergesit were produced at a time where the ‘unknown’ was being questioned, in contemporary society; however horror movies are focused on present fears such the ending of the world or global diseases. Whereas a viewer of the 21st century may not be thrilled and excited by olden day horrors as the horror genre and the many ways of constructing horror movies are constantly changing. Therefore it can be argued that genres are socially constructed.