Editing Film genre (section)

=== Characteristics ===
Characteristics of particular genres are most evident in [[Genre fiction|genre films]], which are "commercial feature films [that], through repetition and variation, tell familiar stories with familiar characters and familiar situations" in a given genre.<ref name="grant1" />

Drawing heavily from the theories of [[literary genre|literary-genre]] [[Literary criticism|criticism]], film genres are usually delineated by conventions, [[iconography]], [[Narrative film|narratives]], formats, characters, and actors, all of which can vary according to the genre.<ref name=":4" /> In terms of standard or [[Stock character|"stock" characters]], those in [[film noir]], for example, include the [[femme fatale]]<ref>Grant, Barry Keith. ''Film Genre: From Iconography to Ideology.'' Wallflower Press, 2007. p. 17</ref> and the [[Hardboiled|"hardboiled" detective]]; while those in [[Western (genre)|Westerns]], stock characters include the [[Teacher|schoolmarm]] and the [[Gunfighter|gunslinger]]. Regarding actors, some may acquire a reputation linked to a single genre, such as [[John Wayne]] (the Western) or [[Fred Astaire]] (the [[musical film|musical]]).<ref>Grant, Barry Keith. ''Film Genre: From Iconography to Ideology.'' Wallflower Press, 2007. p. 18</ref> Some genres have been characterized or known to use particular [[film format|formats]], which refers to the way in which films are shot (e.g., [[35 mm movie film|35&nbsp;mm]], [[16 mm film|16 mm]] or [[8&nbsp;mm film|8&nbsp;mm]]) or the manner of presentation (e.g., [[anamorphic widescreen]]).<ref name="autogenerated185" />

Genres can also be classified by more inherent characteristics (usually implied in their names), such as settings, theme/topic, mood, target audience, or [[Film budgeting|budget]]/type of [[film production|production]].<ref name="autogenerated185" />

* The [[Setting (narrative)|setting]] is the environment—including both time and [[Location|geographic location]]—in which the story and action take place (e.g., present day or [[Human history|historical period]]; Earth or outer-space; urban or rural, etc.). Genres that are particularly concerned with this element include the [[historical drama]], [[war film]], [[Western film|Western]], and [[space opera|space-opera]], the names of which all denote particular settings.<ref name="autogenerated185" />
* The [[Theme (narrative)|theme]] or topic refers to the issues or concepts that the film revolves around; for example, the [[science fiction film]], [[sports film]], and [[crime film]].
* The [[Mood (literature)|mood]] is the emotional tone of the film, as implied in the names of the [[comedy film]], [[horror film]], or '[[Melodrama film|tearjerker]]'.
* Genres informed by particular [[Target audience|target audience(s)]] include [[children's film]], [[teen film]], [[woman's film]], and "[[chick flick]]".
* Genres characterized by the type of [[film production|production]] include the [[Blockbuster (entertainment)|blockbuster]], [[independent film]], and [[low-budget film]], such as the [[B movie]] (commercial) or [[amateur film]] (noncommercial).

[[Screenwriter]]s, in particular, often organize their stories by genre, focusing their attention on three specific aspects: atmosphere, character, and story.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Eric R.|title=Episode 3: Movie Genre: It's Not What You Think|url=https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-07|website=How to View and Appreciate Great Movies|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607194525/https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html |archive-date=Jun 7, 2020}}</ref> A film's atmosphere includes costumes, [[prop]]s, locations, and the visceral experiences created for the audience.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Eric R.|title=Episode 4: Genre Layers and Audience Expectations|url=https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-07|website=How to View and Appreciate Great Movies|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607194525/https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html |archive-date=Jun 7, 2020}}</ref> Aspects of character include [[Jungian archetypes|archetypes]], [[stock character]]s, and the goals and motivations of the [[Protagonist|central characters]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Eric R.|title=How to View and Appreciate Great Movies (episode 18: Knowing Characters from the Outside In)|url=https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html|access-date=2020-06-07|website=English|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607194525/https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html |archive-date=Jun 7, 2020}}</ref> Some story considerations for screenwriters, as they relate to genre, include theme, [[Tent-pole (entertainment)|tent-pole]] scenes, and how the rhythm of characters' perspective shift from scene to scene.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Williams|first=Eric R.|title=Episode 5: Story Shape and Tension|url=https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-06-07|website=How to View and Appreciate Great Movies|language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200607194525/https://www.thegreatcourses.com/courses/how-to-view-and-appreciate-great-movies.html |archive-date=Jun 7, 2020}}</ref>