A Beginner’s Guide to Film Genres (FutureLearn)

Explore film theory approaches in the context of genre and film narrative

On this course, you’ll investigate genre in film and in a wider artistic context, and discover how film genres have evolved over time. You’ll also explore three genres in depth and learn key storytelling techniques that highlight specific genre conventions.

With this understanding, you’ll be able to identify genre films and contextualise directorial decisions that emphasise the portrayed genre.

Investigate how genre impacts filmmaking decisions from film production to marketing

When a genre film is produced, it brings with it audience expectations affecting production choices and marketing strategies. You’ll discover the challenges that genre films bring to making and marketing a film and how these constraints are tackled by the industry.

With this knowledge, you’ll gain insights into the film production process and the impact audience expectations and thematic conventions can have on decision making.

Develop your knowledge of the film industry, guided by experts in film studies

On this course, you’ll learn from educators with expertise in film theory who can help you gain theoretical and practical insights into genre filmmaking.

Using a combination of interviews and film extracts, you’ll have the opportunity to bring your own cinematic experiences into the discussion, enabling you to explore different perspectives alongside other learners.

By the end of this course, you will understand what generic films are and how the film industry capitalises on the enduring popularity of genre films with audiences.

Syllabus

Week 1: Film Genre - an overview

Week 2: Identifying Genres

Week 3: Genre and Audiences

Week 4: The Film Industry and genre

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

- Evaluate the concept of genre, not only in film but across a wide range of art forms and in everyday life.

- Identify the ways in which genres operate from both a narrative and also thematic perspective.

- Describe the visual conventions of specific genres.

- Assess the constraints and advantages of generic films for both audiences and the film industry.

- Discuss different theoretical approaches to genre.

- Explore the ways in which the film industry uses the idea of genre in both the production and also the marketing of films.

- Reflect on the ways in which genres develop and change over time.