Chapter 09
Film Genres
1. A genre’s iconography consists of
2. John Ford’s The Searchers is a major example of which genre?
3. Which of the following is NOT a reason for the recent popularity of the crime thriller with filmmakers?
4. Which of the following is NOT a film genre?
5. Film scholars argue that genre conventions, repeated from film to film,
6. Many scholars believe that the cultural explanation of the emergence of the subgenre of family horror films in the 1970s
indicated viewers’
7. Which of the following is NOT a convention of the romantic comedy?
8. The term subgenre refers to
9. The Fred Astaire-Ginger Rogers film Swing Time is an example of the backstage musical.
10. The typical Western thematically places the hero between savagery and civilization.
11. The periods of time during which a given genre is popular are called “cycles.”
12. Filmmakers avoid mixing the conventions of more than one genre.
13. Most scholars see genre films as pure escapism, with no significant relation to contemporary society.
14. Social processes can be reflected in genre innovations. For example, films such as Aliens reflect the new conceptions of
gender in the 1970s.
15. Sports films do not have their own plot patterns, iconography, or themes—they only borrow from more traditional genres.
16. One characteristic of any given genre is that its form remains unchanged over time.
17. Genre conventions include plot patterns, thematic patterns, and stylistic patterns.
18. Due to their defined formulas for success, genres are unable to respond quickly to broad social trends.
19. Based on the genre film(s) screened or discussed or both in class, indicate two conventions of character, plot, theme, or
iconography that are distinctive of the genre. Then, for each convention you select, show how the film(s) you select
20. Select any film genre that has been discussed in this course. Provide two examples of conventions that are significant to
the genre. Now cite two specific scenes from films that provide examples of innovative handling or unique adaptation of
21. Briefly describe how ideas about genre are used by people within the film industry, by film reviewers, and by ordinary
moviegoers.
22. In a short essay, discuss the importance of new subgenres and the mixing of genres to changes in genre conventions,
drawing on examples from class readings and screenings.
23. Discuss the common “reflectionist” argument that genres mirror larger events and trends in society. Drawing on
examples from class readings and screenings, suggest the strengths and weaknesses of this argument.
24. Film Art suggests that the Western deals with “the conflict between civilized order and the lawless frontier.” Drawing on
readings and screenings, suggest what conventions and iconography of the Western are associated with that conflict.
25. Select any relatively recent crime thriller, such as David Fincher’s Gone Girl (2014) or Jaume Collet-Serra’s Run All
Night (2015), and discuss how the filmmaker has manipulated the typical characters and narrative structure to refresh the
26. Drawing on class readings and screenings, describe the kinds of conventions and iconography used to evoke the
monstrous forces at the center of the horror film. Suggest some reasons for the enduring appeal of this genre.
27. Drawing on class readings and screenings, describe the typical narrative patterns used to integrate song-and-dance
numbers into musicals, commenting especially on the importance of romance.
28. Beyond the competition, conflict, suspense, and surprise of sports films there is ideological commentary. Choose a
relatively current sports film such as Niki Caro’s McFarland, USA (2015) or Antoine Fuqua’s Southpaw (2015) and