In class, we were put into groups and were asked: Do generic conventions help or restrict film makers? We then had to present our ideas to another group.

So, do they help or restrict? Our group decided to do arguments for and against as we didn't believe their was a right or wrong answer.

Ways in which generic conventions restrict film makers:

• Some generic conventions can restrict what genre you call a film e.g. If you set a film in an isolated or abandoned place you would be restricted to naming your film a horror. 

• Generic conventions can also restrict the use of hybrids as because a lot of films which are made these days have more than one type of genre. This could now be argued that genre no longer exists. 

Ways in which generic conventions help film makers:

• Generic conventions could be seen as very useful to film makers as it could act as a slight guideline, providing the film makers a starting point for the location, setting, iconography, themes and issues.
• Another positive of generic conventions is that the audience know what to expect from the film making it more comforting and familiar which will help the audience enjoy the film more.
• Also, the conventions can provide a near guaranteed success for the film as audiences tend to watch similar styled films and the basic conventions help ensure the film doesn't become too different.

Doing this task helped me gain a better insight into genre and how it may or may not exist. It has also informed me that because generic conventions act as a guideline in films, I will then have to research into the thriller genre to see what type of guidelines it has for the setting, themes and issues, location and iconography. However, this task has also taught me to be careful whilst making my coursework film as I do not want different types of genres linking in with my film.