GENRE THEORY.

CHRISTIAN METZ.
 WHO WAS HE?

• A French film theorist.

• Around from December 12th 1931 to September 7th
1993.
• Of the belief genres go through a cycle of changes
during their lifetime:
1. Experimental stage.
2. Classic stage.
3. Parody stage.
4. Deconstruction stage.
 EXPERIMENTAL STAGE.

• This is the beginning phases of the genre.

• Here the foundations are built, so the generic codes
and conventions are set.
 CLASSIC STAGE.

• This is where the codes and conventions of a genre

become seen as iconic and idealised as the
guidelines for the genre.
 PARODY STAGE.

• Now these codes and conventions are established,

widely recognised and accepted they can be
parody – people can use and mock them.
• This is based on the fact the audience have
understood the codes and conventions from the
classic stage.
 DECONSTRUCTION STAGE.

• Now the genre can begin to evolve and merge

with others.
• Genres become less clear cut and the rules can be
broken.