Stephen Neale’s theory is that not all genres are the same, e.g comedy, they all have differences. Genres draw on an identical repertoire of elements. The main tensions in genre are between repetition and sameness vs variation and change.

One of his concepts is repetition and difference.

Mainly suggesting that genre is presented through Stephen Neale’s theory which is this topic has many similarities and differences. There are various types of genres such as a hybrid genre, which is genres that are mixed together such as a film comedy and a comedy musical. They both have elements of comedy to fit the criteria that the audience are expecting but there are noticeable differences within the two products which sets them apart for the audience. Stephen Neale portrays that the main tensions are between repetition and sameness versus variation and change.

Level of verisimilitude = to a certain extent where the media product can reference the real world

Narrative similarities = The recognition of defined story structures

Media texts should be recognizable and use familiar codes and conventions. Steve Neale is a key genre theorist who argues that genre-based categories are not fixed commodities. Factors used to diagnose the genre of a product include levels of verisimilitude, narrative similarities, character-driven motifs, iconography, and audience targeting. Familiarity in media is essential to sell something too left field.

Steve Neale – similarities and differences/predictability and innovation

Levels of verisimilitude – to what extent real world is referenced in products.

Narrative similarities – identification of defined story structures or formulaic narrative devices.

Character driven motifs – lead characters might have defined attributes or narrative arcs.

Iconography – mise en scene expectations + camera or editing styles

Audience targeting – genres crafted to appeal to audiences.

Repetition and audience pleasure – audiences are appealed to with the use of repeated motifs, themes, or stylistic devices.

Genre subversion – all genres are subject to evolve or change common expectations based on audience needs, contextual influences or economic influences.

Genre hybridity – A combination or intertwining of several genres.

Auteur effects – The input and influence specific individuals have on media products.

Steve Neale:

Suggests threes a corpus containing repertoires (conventions) of different elements o f which you can choose which ones are used.

Genres draw on repertoires from elements and the main tensions are between repetition and sameness versus variation and change.

Products must maintain some element of familiarity through the repetition of genre conventions but also must provoke excitement through difference, for example hybrid genres.