Applying genre theory to our short film 'Lily':

Genre translates to a type or kind of something. When applied to film it is used as a way of classifying through the use of codes and conventions.

Tom Ryall's genre theory states:
'Genre provides a framework for patterns, forms, styles and structures.' These patterns are presented within genre through iconography, narrative structure, character representations and ideology. Our film conforms to Ryall's theory as it features thriller iconography of a knife. Other films which feature this form of iconography is the slasher horror 'Scream' (Dir Wes Craven, 1996). The use of iconography works as a convention to define film genres allowing audiences to choose films of their preferred genre.



Rick Altman's 'set of pleasures' states:

Emotional Pleasures - The emotional pleasures offered to audiences of genre films are particularly significant when they generate a strong audience response.

Visceral Pleasures - Visceral pleasures are 'gut' responses, defined by how the film's stylistic construction elicits a physical effect upon its audience. This can be a feeling of revulsion, kinetic speed or a 'roller coaster ride'.

Intellectual Puzzles - Certain film genres such as the thriller offer the pleasure in trying to unravel a mystery or a puzzle. Pleasure is derived from deciphering the plot and forecasting the end or being surprised by the unexpected.

Our film fits into the 'intellectual puzzles' category as it features several visions. It is the audiences tasks to define whether the visions will come true. A second way this theory applies is that the ending is ambiguous- it is unclear which character killed the other and down to the audience to decipher for themselves in regards to previous events within the film.

Not all genre theories apply, for example we subvert Douglas Pye's theory of genre which states:
'Films have to conform to audiences expectations of narrative.' Whereas our film does not conform to audiences expectations of narrative, it contains many plot twists. The character Lily resists killing Brett however in the final scene of the film someone has been murdered producing unexpected narrative.