Deeper Understanding in Genre

Genre is the term used in media related fields in place of categories. While at the very core of the word they are categories they are much more in depth in having the structure of each category behind the word. Before learning anything about how genre works I think it is first important to truly understand exactly what a genre is.

Genre by definition according to Websters dictionary is "a category of artistic, musical or literacy composition characterized by a particular style, form or content." For the sake of clarifying the definition further films are a part of these. We shall use this to start our journey of understand what a genre is.

From the definition we can see how category is used with genre. Rock and roll may share common backgrounds with hip hop but they are classified as different categories of music which just from listening we can tell a difference. What I want to point out with this blog is that it's also point to the difference in structures that make up different forms of media. All movies have the basic three step process of beginning middle and end. It's the various use of this overall structure treated with a more refined structure that differentiates the genres. A romantic film will end in love while a thriller may end in retribution. To get to these points we use different structures within an overarching one that falls into all movies and different forms of media.

A good visual map for what all genre structures themselves follow is this:

To keep this short, sweet and to the point genre are simply categories but I strongly believe that there is equal importance in understanding that structures are a part of genre. And a side note genres are also useful to help find what you like and explore more types of media that are like it.