Working with genres
A bit about me
@thomasgronfeldt#LSUgenres
What is a genre?
Two Tales of One Genre
Where do genres come from?
How many genres are there?
How are genres created?
Informal, societal collaboration
Inherited from older media
Once upon a time….
“For sale: Baby shoes
“For sale: Baby shoes – never worn”
Why do we tell stories?
We don’t identify with facts
We identify with THEMES, CHOICES, SITUATIONS, CONFLICTS, and DRAMAS
We identify with stories
The thing about stories and circles
Some genres of stories
Overcoming the monster
Rags to riches
The Quest
Voyage and return
Comedy
Tragedy
Rebirth
Genre rules of crime fiction
Everything you need for good crime fiction is a good beginning and a telephone book for the right names
- Georges Simenon
The most important recipe for crime fiction: the detective must never know more than the reader
- Agatha Christie
There are no criminal, but rather regular people becoming criminal
- Georges Simenon
In case of doubt, let two guys with guns come in - Agatha Christie
Raymond Chandler's rules for crime fiction
1. It must be credibly motivated, both as to the original situation and the dénouement2. It must be technically sounds as to the methods of murder and detection3. It must be realistic in character, setting and atmosphere. It must be about real people in a
real world4. It must have a sound story value apart from the mystery element; i.e., the investigation
itself must be an adventure worth reading.5. It must have enough essential simplicity to be explained easily when the time comes.6. It must baffle a reasonably intelligent reader --> Ideal Reader!7. The solution must seem inevitable once revealed8. It must not try to do everything at once. If it is a puzzle story operating in a rather cool,
reasonable atmosphere, it cannot also be a violent adventure or a passionate romance.9. It must the criminal in one way or another, nor necessarily by operation of the law - if the
detective fails to resolve the consquences of the crime, the story is an unresolved chord and leaved irritation behind it.
10. It must be honest with the reader.
Obey the rules of a genre?
Or challenge them?
Good
genre
play!
Why did the Casino Royale (2007) succeed?
• It
The Buddy Movie Revisited
Do's and don'ts of playing with genre
Thank you!
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