I started with putting a formula of 80% of all Rom-Coms on the board and the question was; why the hell do you like watching the same film over and over again? People have written tomes, volumes and dissertations on the topic under the umbrella of 'Genre Theory'. I'm going to undermine the passion and work of others by putting it in a roughly written bullet-point format- because I'm lazy.
1. In this day and age capitalism rules all [foot note] especially in relation to the arts. Now, I don't mean this sincerely but for sake of argument- the majority of the population is stupid or ignorant of film as an art form. The 'majority' also presents the faceless corporation with the majority of money and therefore they become the chosen demographic. Stupid people don't want to think and you REALLY don't have to for the countless clone rom-coms out there.
2. Moving on to a slightly less cynical point. To adopt a genre is to acknowledge everything that has come before you. This results in lots of possibilities for the director and immediately strikes a relationship between the audience and the film-maker. 'In-jokes' can be made and in-jokes are a sign of intimacy. The narrower the genre the more specific the joke e.g. The James Bond film: In the most recent Casino Royale when Bond gets asked whether or not he wants his Martini shaken or stirred he says 'do I look like a man who cares' or something along those lines. To see what happens when you completely forsake the genre just look at modern art (I'm a huge advocate of modern art but for arguments sake...) it loses its context- thus is structure. And as so many Dada artists have done- a huge "fuck you" to the art world.
3. Films are short. Now not all directors have the same task in mind in making films; for some its an exploration of character, others narrative, mise en scene, or pure mindless style. Depending what it is you want to do setting up characters or backstory is a waste of time and genre provides a solution. I think I mentioned this before in my 'Se7en' thing but picking the 'buddy-cop' story is as easy as two juxtaposed shots of a clean room and a dirty one- already you have two pre-built, not wholly original but functioning characters.
4. Genre, conventions and formulas, are sweet because when you break them it causes particular impact. As a viewer when something doesn't turn out as it should not only are you upset for the characters but you feel personally betrayed- undermining the audience is one of the key tricks to creating drama. Using a point from Mr. Bovey when a genre doesn't use a certain aspect of a formula, through its absence it still addresses the issue. A Bond film not having and M character or any gadgets immediately makes the point that this is going to be a darker more serious Bond films by merely NOT showing something.
[Foot Note] My foot note is going to be about a way you can tell who has the power in society. Its who controls the artist. For ages it was the monarchy or ruling party who commission paintings to glorify them, tapestries to honour them, giving patronage etc. Then it was the church prancing about with their churches and their stained glass. NOW its the corporation who through advertising and publicity dominate the artist. A particular example of how this is beneficial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0W1RLELfHBs Don't hate on my grammar. That is all.
very scathing of the church there. also, very cheeky on the direct quoting of mr bovey front. i think your last point only applies to film; other art forms are much less defined by demand because theyre way cheaper
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