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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