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August 1996, Week 4

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Subject:
From:
Jeremy Butler <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Film and TV Studies Discussion List <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 23 Aug 1996 09:40:39 -0500
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        Attached is infomation on a 50 page document that will hopefully
be of interest to many list subscribers.  The Motion
Picture/Broadcasting/Recorded Sound Division of the Library of Congress,
as part of a Library-wide project on genre and form terminology and
access, is endeavoring to create the first comprehensive taxonomy to
moving image genre, form, and format terms. Each term is fully defined and
exemplified, and based on the other lists that archives and books over the
years have developed of moving image genre and form terminology, relying
in particular on the extensive literature of scholarly genre studies.  The
full document can also be found on Screensite:
 
http://www.sa.ua.edu/tcf/res/bib/index.htm
 
It may also be requested e-mailing [log in to unmask] and putting the
following in the first line of the message:
 
GET MIGENRE TXT
 
The entire list will be sent to you automatically through regular e-mail
channels.  Please be advised that it is almost 700 lines long.
 
The list is available through snail mail from
 
Brian Taves ([log in to unmask])
Motion Picture/Broadcasting/Recorded Sound Division
Library of Congress,
Washington, D.C., 20540
202-707-9930.
 
        At present, as a fellow list subscriber, and the individual heading up
this
project in M/B/RS, I am informally asking the list for their input.  The
document is still very much in its draft stage, although it will remain dynamic
and open to correction and update on a regular, ongoing basis.  The final result
will be published and utilized in cataloging by the Library as well as made
available to other archives.  I am presenting it to you at this early point
because I am eager for your comments prior to the time a revised version of
this guide is actually published by the Library.  (Scholars will also note that
the
guide has, inevitably, had to find provisional solutions for some formidable
theoretical problems as well as an appropriate way to deal with such issues as
race and gender.)  Over the next year, the guide will be presented at such
organizations as the Association of Moving Image Archivists, the Society of
American Archivists, the Modern Language Association, and the Society for
Cinema Studies.
        Because of time constraints on the project, it is not as polished as I
would like, and it has not been possible to thoroughly survey all resources.
However, I suspect that many list subscribers may have written or taught on a
variety of these specific genres and forms, and will be able to provide valuable
suggestions for improving the definitions.  While a list of genre terms for
archives will inherently cover many unique types of material that are less often
discussed by scholars, but may still encompass substantial groups of archival
holdings, many genres may become evident in such cataloging that have
received little or no critical recognition in film and television studies.  I
hope
to achieve a positive interaction between the academic and archival community
with this guide, one which will make it valuable to scholars using the archives,
but which will also make it valuable to both communities in suggesting
possible categories that may have been previously overlooked.
        In an age of internet searching of online databases, this guide should
promote the likelihood of a scholar finding the desired bibliographic records
through an intuitive knowledge of the basic terms in the field.  Terms have
been selected that are sufficiently broad to cross national boundaries while
still
remaining applicable to the most formulaic of Hollywood product.  Many
moving image works span or combine elements of several different genres, so
multiple genre headings may occur on any given record, and indeed are
encouraged.  This will increase the likelihood of the item appearing in any
particular search.
        List subscribers will also notice a lack of theoretical sophistication
in
the terminology and definitions.  This is a result of two factors.  One is the
intensely practical and comprehensive purpose of this guide, which distances it
from much of the more far-ranging and rigorous theoretical dialogues of the
classroom.  Second is that the guide must be designed to be accessible to non-
professionals in the area of film studies; many of those actually applying the
terminology to moving image items in libraries and archives do not have a
background in the field.
        This posting begins with an overall list of terms below, then offers a
page of examples of how the system, using the library MARC format, would
be applied to sample titles.  The first few pages follow.  The remainder can be
obtained on SCREENsite.  The largest part of the guide offers an index to
genres,
including definitions and examples.  The last portion of the guide does the
same for form terms.  Forms are defined here as the basic categories indicating
a moving image work's original exhibition and release parameters, and which
are separate from its actual content, not necessarily implying a particular
narrative construction.  Form terms include Feature, Shorts, Serials, Animation,
and Television.  Having both genre and form allows such combinations as
"Western--Television series" (as opposed to, for instance, "Western--Feature")
permitting a researcher to conduct a search for television westerns, a
limitation that would not be otherwise possible.
 
Disclaimer--This is not an official Library posting or document.
 
Moving Image Genre list
 
 
Actuality
Adaptation
Adventure
Adventure (Nonfiction)
Ancient world
Animal
Art
Aviation
Biographical
Biographical (Nonfiction)
Buddy
Caper
Chase
Children's
College
Comedy
Crime
Dance
Dark comedy
Disability
Disaster
Documentary
Domestic comedy
Educational
Erotic
Espionage
Ethnic
Ethnic (Nonfiction)
Ethnographic
Experimental
Exploitation
Fallen woman
Family
Fantasy
Film noir
Game
Gangster
Historical
Home shopping
Horror
Industrial
Instructional
Interview
Journalism
Jungle
Juvenile delinquency
Lecture
Legal
Magazine
Martial arts
Maternal melodrama
Medical
Medical (Nonfiction)
Melodrama
Military
Music
Music video
Musical
Mystery
Nature
News
Opera
Operetta
Parody
Police
Political
Pornography
Prehistoric
Prison
Propaganda
Public access
Public affairs
Reality-based
Religion
Religious
Road
Romance
Science fiction
Screwball comedy
Show business
Singing cowboy
Situation comedy
Slapstick comedy
Slasher
Soap opera
Social guidance
Social problem
Sophisticated comedy
Speculation
Sponsored
Sports
Sports (Nonfiction)
Survival
Talk
Thriller
Training
Travelogue
Trick
Trigger
Variety
War
War (Nonfiction)
Western
Women
Youth
Yukon
 
Moving Image Form list
 
Advertising
        Commercials
        Political commercials
        Infomercials
        Company promotion
        Promotional announcement
        Trailers
        Public service announcements
Amateur
Animation
        Abstract animation
        Cameraless animation
        Clay animation
        Cutout animation
        Combination live action and animation
        Computer animation
        Pinscreen animation
        Silhouette animation
        Time-lapse animation
Anthology
Audition
Feature
Newsreel
Outtake
Performance
Puppet
Serial
Series
Short
Stock shot
Television
Television commercials
Television features
Television mini-series
Television pilot
Television series
Television special
Unedited
 
Complete Examples:
 
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (1956)
        655    #av     # Adventure#Feature.
        655    #av     # Comedy#Feature.
        655    #av     # Adaptation#Feature.
 
AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS (1989)
        655    #av     # Adventure#Television mini-series.
        655    #av     # Comedy#Television mini-series.
        655    #av     # Adaptation#Television mini-series.
 
BRAVEHEART
        655    #av     # Adventure#Feature.
        655    #av     # Biographical#Feature.
 
DR. QUINN--MEDICINE WOMAN
        655    #av     # Western#Television series.
        655    #av     # Medical#Television series.
 
DR. ZHIVAGO
        655    #av     # Romance#Feature.
        655    #av     # Historical#Feature.
        655    #av     # Adaptation#Feature.
 
FLASH GORDON CONQUERS THE UNIVERSE
        655    #av     # Science fiction#Serial.
 
JURASSIC PARK
        655    #av     # Prehistoric#Feature.
        655    #av     # Science fiction#Feature.
        655    #av     # Adaptation#Feature.
 
MEET THE PRESS
        655    #av     # Interview#Television series.
 
OUTER LIMITS
        655    #avv    # Science fiction#Anthology#Television series.
 
POCAHONTAS
        655    #avv    # Historical#Feature#Animation.
        655    #avv    # Musical#Feature#Animation.
 
 
Moving Image Genre List (a short excerpt)
 
Action-adventure see such genres as Adventure, Ancient world, Animal,
Aviation, Caper,                     Crime, Espionage, Fantasy, Gangster,
                                     Jungle, Martial arts, Mystery, Police,
                                     Prehistoric, Prison, Science fiction,
Singing
                                     cowboy, Sports, Survival, Thriller, War,
                                     Western, Yukon
 
Actuality
Nonfiction work made prior to 1910, usually of a very short length, that
demonstrates the capacity of moving pictures to advance over still photography
by recording a world in motion.  The typical content of actualities were scenes
of everyday life, people, and events, usually authentic but sometimes
manipulated.
Note:  Not necessary to also use Documentary, since that is implied by the
term Actuality.
Examples:  L'ARRIVEE D'UN TRAIN EN GARE DE LA CIOTAT / TRAIN
ARRIVING IN THE STATION; ELECTROCUTING AN ELEPHANT; NEW
YORK CITY "GHETTO" FISH MARKET; PRESIDENT MCKINLEY
TAKING THE OATH; LA SORTIE DES USINES LUMIERE / WORKERS
LEAVING THE LUMIERE FACTORY
 
Adaptation
Fiction or nonfiction work taken from a work already existing in another
medium, such as a book, short story, comic strip, or play.  This involves such
questions as fidelity to the original text and the manner in which the
adaptation
has condensed or abridged aspects of the original work (or, on rare occasions,
expanded it) to the standard length of a movie or television program.
Note:  Use only for specific works adapted to film or television, not for
original exploits written for the screen that utilize characters but not plots
created in another medium, such as the Charlie Chan or Perry Mason series.
Feature examples:  ANNA KARENINA (with Romance; Historical); BARRY
LYNDON (with Historical); CAMELOT (with Musical; Romance; Adventure);
CHIMES AT MIDNIGHT / FALSTAFF (with Historical); HAMLET; HENRY
V (with Biographical); THE LAST TYCOON (with Show business; Historical);
MAN OF LA MANCHA (with Musical; Parody; Historical); OTHELLO (with
Romance; Historical); THE RAVEN (with Horror); THE RAZOR'S EDGE;
ROMEO AND JULIET (with Romance; Historical); WAR AND PEACE (with
Historical)
TV examples:  GULLIVER'S TRAVELS (with Fantasy); SHIRLEY
TEMPLE'S STORYBOOK
 
Adventure
Fictional work set in a historical period, from the middle ages through the 19th
century, typically dramatizing the exploits of actual historical figures or
incidents, including kings and battles, rebellion, piracy and the Spanish Main,
travel, exploration, and the creation of empires.  Larger ideological issues are
mythicized and conflicts personalized over historical accuracy.  Adventure
usually involves a courageous, altruistic and patriotic hero willing to fight
for
his beliefs, who becomes involved in a struggle for freedom by overcoming
oppression and helping to create a more just society.
Note:  Not necessary to also use Historical since that is implied by Adventure.
If work includes supernatural or magic, use Fantasy.  Other genres often
confused with Adventure include Ancient world, Animal, Aviation, Crime,
Thriller, Science fiction, and War.
Examples:  THE ADVENTURES OF ROBIN HOOD; AGUIRRE DER ZORN
GOTTES / AGUIRRE--THE WRATH OF GOD; AROUND THE WORLD IN
80 DAYS (with Adaptation; Comedy); BEAU GESTE; CAPTAIN BLOOD;
CAPTAIN FROM CASTILE; CAPTAIN HORATIO HORNBLOWER;
ELEPHANT BOY; GUNGA DIN; KING OF THE KHYBER RIFLES;
LANCELOT DU LAC; LORD JIM; MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY; OMAR
KHAYYAM; THE PRISONER OF ZENDA; THE SEA WOLF; THE THREE
MUSKETEERS; TRADER HORN; TREASURE ISLAND; WHITE
SHADOWS OVER THE SOUTH SEAS
TV examples:  THE BUCCANEERS (1956-57); THE LAST PLACE ON
EARTH; ROBIN HOOD (1955-58); SEARCH FOR THE NILE; 77TH
BENGAL LANCERS; SHARPE'S RIFLES; THE SWAMP FOX; ZORRO
 
 
Brian Taves
Motion Picture/Broadcasting/Recorded Sound Division
Library of Congress
Washington, D.C.  20540
202-707-9930
202-707-2371 (fax)
Internet:  [log in to unmask]
 
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