Genre is a term used to describe the types of media products recognisable by easily identifiable elements, which establishes the story and characters. Some examples include horror, romance and thriller.
Stock elements: Horror, Romance, Thriller
Horror: In a horror film the protagonist/s usually take the role of survivor or victim, where usually only one character remains alive. The antagonist/s on the other hand, takes the form of a demented being such as a killer or supernatural force. The antagonists help in driving the narrative forward. The stock characters usually include other victims such as friends or family (usually depending on the sub-genre). Furthermore, the narrative and stock situation established through the genre is an individual or groups of people who are threatened by an unknown and unprecedented being which often leads to several characters dying.
Romance: The protagonists in a romance film usually includes a heterosexual couple, either based in their youth (teenager) or as young adults. The antagonists are always characters who rival the love interest, due to jealously or disagreement with the partnership e.g. friends, family members. As for the stock characters, friends and family are typically presented. As with most romance films, there always seems to involve a confident, sexy friend, gay/introverted friend and or a good looking guy. The narrative and stock situation for the genre is that a guy and a girl may meet but come across an obstacle meaning they can't be together. Films in this genre typically end really well or tragically.
Thriller: The protagonists are usually valiant and intelligent, representing some sort of organisation such as the military, FBI etc. The antagonists on the other hand, usually compose of characters with the same characteristics as the protagonists however from the opposing organisation or other important body. The stock characters will usually consist of the support team of an organisation. As for the narrative and stock situation, the antagonists are more likely to drive the narrative where they are expected to overcome obstacles.
Importance to the audience
Through establishing the codes and conventions of a movie genre, the audience can then recognize different genres in marketing. But is essential for the conventions to be established initially because of the heavy reliance the audience has on them.
Importance to institutions
Specific genres have visual motifs and/or icons associated with each genre, used as a way of marketing films to audiences with greater ease. Therefore genre is important to institutions because in helps to market an institution's film.
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