Genre | The Whole Plate: Episode 4

Summary

The video explores the concept of genre in film, particularly how it applies to the Transformers franchise. It discusses the fluidity and rigidity of genre classifications, the differences between hard and soft science fiction, and how historical context shapes genre perception. The narrator compares the evolution of genres, using examples like The Mummy and the Western, and highlights the impact of directors like Michael Bay on audience expectations. Ultimately, it reflects on how current films may redefine genres, leading to a new era of cinema, and ponders how future historians will categorize this transformative period.

Takeaways

• 🎬 Genre is a crucial aspect of film studies, influencing how movies are categorized and understood.
• 🔄 Genres are fluid and constantly evolving, with films sometimes being reassigned to different genres over time.
• 🤔 The term 'genre film' often refers to speculative fiction, excluding traditional dramas, and includes science fiction, fantasy, action, and adventure.
• 📊 Audience expectations are shaped by genre, which is a fundamental part of film language and marketing.
• 🧪 The Transformers franchise is debated among scholars regarding its classification as science fiction, with discussions around hard vs. soft science fiction.
• ✨ The Transformers films lean more towards mythologizing rather than exploring future anxieties associated with technology.
• 📉 Genre films must balance subverting audience expectations while maintaining familiar elements to keep viewers engaged.
• 📆 Genres have life cycles and must adapt over time as audience preferences change, illustrated by the decline of the Western genre.
• 🤖 The current trend of superhero movies may represent a saturation point, leading to a transformation towards mythologizing rather than traditional hero narratives.
• 👽 Future film historians will likely categorize the contemporary film landscape in unique ways, possibly influenced by current societal trends.

Q & A

What is the primary discussion surrounding genre in film studies?

The primary discussion revolves around how genres are assigned to films, how they evolve over time, and their impact on audience expectations and marketing.

How does the speaker categorize the 'Transformers' franchise?

The 'Transformers' franchise is debated to fit within science fiction, science fantasy, or even as a straight fantasy due to its mythological themes rather than speculative explorations of technology and the future.

What distinguishes 'genre film' from general genre definitions?

'Genre film' typically refers to speculative fiction, such as science fiction and fantasy, which is distinct from more traditional rooted dramas.

What role does genre play in audience expectations?

Genre serves as a blueprint for audience expectations, helping viewers contextualize what they are seeing and anticipate certain elements within a film.

How can the genre of a film change over time?

A film might be marketed as one genre but can be redefined by history as falling into another, based on societal changes and audience perceptions.

What is the significance of subverting genre expectations?

Subverting genre expectations is crucial for keeping the audience engaged, as it prevents narratives from becoming stale and allows for the evolution of genre conventions.

What example does the speaker use to illustrate the evolution of the horror genre?

The speaker compares the original 1932 'The Mummy' with its 1999 remake to show how the horror genre has transformed into a blend of action, fantasy, and comedy for contemporary audiences.

What is the 'exhaustion' mentioned in relation to superhero movies?

The 'exhaustion' refers to the audience's fatigue with conventional superhero narratives, leading to a demand for more complex and diverse storytelling within the genre.

How does the speaker view the future of genre classification?

The speaker suggests that future film historians will play a key role in contextualizing and naming the current era of film, which is marked by a blending of genres and a departure from traditional classifications.

What is the conclusion about the life cycle of genres?

The conclusion is that genres have a life cycle, becoming embedded over time, leading to either a demand for complexity and change or their eventual decline and obsolescence.