Research & Planning:genre theory

Neale declares that ‘genres are instances of repetition and difference’ (Neale 1980, 48). He adds that ‘difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre’.

I applied Neale’ theory to the ‘a Cinderella story’ title sequence and could apply the theory to the opening sequence. Elements typical to a chick flick were common in this sequence. The main character being a female is very typical. The film is always focused around a female lead. The pink credits are typical for a chick flick as it is commonly a feminine film and a feminine colour. The fairytale storyline which we are introduced to in the narrative is typical of a feminine storyline. You would rarely see a fairytale movie focused around a male or ‘the prince’, it is most commonly a female character. The setting of the film in a town in America is very typical of the chick flick genre and is a common setting for a teenage ‘girly’ film.

The theory is also supported in this trailer. Especially in the mise-en-scene. Girls in chick flicks are usually confident, popular and well known. The girl in the title sequence is a girl on the outside who does not even wish to be noticed. The costume for the girl also challenges the theory as the outfits in chick flicks are usually elegant, expensive and elaborate. But the main characters costume was old and simple. Although the people around her were quite typical. The attitude of the main character challenges the theory as we learn she is not known and she is isolated. Chick flicks usually centre on popular, bitchy, cool girls but this film is following a well known story in a modern way so it is immediately different.

Overall i think that Neale’ theory applies to the title sequence in ‘a Cinderella story’.