Film and Television Genres - Essay Example

There are so many different film genres that are present in the media world today, and although some of them certainly have their similarities, they even more so have their differences, and by understanding about both the similarities and differences of each film genre, we will be able to get a much more aware and critical understanding on each and every one. What is even more, by analyzing all the different film genre's we will not only be able to become more knowledgeable on the genres, but on the world of media as a whole as well.

By doing this we will be able to come to a much more understanding and knowledgeable viewpoint on the subject matter at hand overall. This is what will be dissertated in the following. There is really a multitude of different film genres that exist, and in film theory specifically, the term 'genre' refers to that of the primary method of film categorization, and it is a term which is basically used in order to allow separation between films, not only in order to make it easier for movie watchers to be able to predetermine the type of film that it is, but as well so that each film can be more specifically and properly identified and criticized.

"A 'genre' generally refers to films that share similarities in the narrative elements from which they are constructed" (Wikipedia, 2007). 'Setting', 'mood', and 'format' are all terms which are used in the film genre classification process: the setting is where the film takes place; the emotional charge which is carried on throughout the film is known as the mood, and the format is the way or manner in which the film was actually shot. Each of these three terms is just as important in the next in regards to the process of classifying a film's genre, and they must all thus be taken into account in order to properly assess a film's genre.

Film genres are considered as being various forms or identifiable types, categories, classifications, or groups of films which have similar or recognizable patterns which associate them as being in a particular subject area. There are film genres, and then there are genres which are considered as being non-film genres. Some of the most popular and well-known film genres would include that of: action, adventure, comedy, crime/gangster, drama, epics/historical, horror, musicals, science fiction, war, and westerns; some of the most popular and well-known non-film genres would include that of: animated films, British films, children's/kids/family films, classic films, cult films, documentary films, serial films, and silent films.

The main difference between film genre and non-film genres is that the film genre titles are more specific and more often used, while the non-film genre titles are more subtle and for the most part less popular. The more conventional definitions of genre tend to, for the most part, be based on the notion that they are able to properly constitute for particular conventions of content, and this would include issues such as the theme or setting for instance, or any other film genre subjectivity.

It is incredibly important to realize that the attempt to define particular genres in terms of necessary and sufficient textual properties is truly very necessary, and that although it is often seen as being theoretically attractive, often times it can be extremely difficult to complete this process,