Welcome back! Today, I will talk about the theory of repetition and difference!
STEVE NEALE ONCE SAID:
- "Genres are instances of repetition and difference"
- "Difference is absolutely essential to the economy of the genre"
WHAT THIS MEANS!
Steve Neale is saying that a film and it's genre is defined by two things:
REPETITION
- How much it tailors with a genre's stereotypes and conventions.
- He says that a film must tailor to these conventions enough that it can still qualify and be identified as a film of that genre.
DIFFERENCE
- How much a film subverts the genre's stereotypes and conventions.
- He says that a film must subvert these conventions enough that it is still viewed as a unique film, not just a clone.
EXAMPLE OF REPETITION
Texas Chainsaw Massacre is your typical classic horror film in which takes on typical horror conventions. There are a group of people that are center of attention for most of the film as they are in supposed danger. Then there is one villain 'Leatherface' in which has an iconic weapon in which he uses which is the chainsaw. Texas Chainsaw Massacre also uses typical conventions such as the location of the film in which takes place in a spooky house with many gory aspects including body parts. This places the audience in a mysterious and erie environment in which makes them feel uncomfortable.
EXAMPLE OF DIFFERENCE
Paranormal Activity is still part of the horror genre, however there are aspects of it in which make it unique and not identical most horror movies. The irregular setting of this film is what makes it different as it is set in regular house. This is irregular because there is no unnatural aspect of the setting in which doesn't worry the audience, this is the beauty of the film as it twists the audience emotion and then scares them with the paranormal aspect of the film.
Next time: I will talk about the 22 stories! See you then!
