Steve Neale - Genre Theory

In the duel scene from 'The Magnificent 7' directed by Antoine Fuqua we see evidence of Steve Neale's genre theory. Steve Neale stated that 'genre's may be dominated by repetition, but are also marked by difference, variation and change'. For example in the duel scene we notice that some key areas of the scene is familiar. The costume the character's were wearing compliment the context of a duel scene. Also, the setting of the scene is very arid. In various long shots we can see the scene is set on a desert. Also, the props used in the duel scene are very similar to what a duel scene would contain. Guns were shown to the viewer in close ups to increase tension and to create a tense atmosphere. However, in this scene we see this genre adapt and evolve. In this scene we see one of the competitors use a knife instead of a gun. This is evidence that the director Antoine Fuqua has tried to adapt or evolve this genre as most director's directing this genre would keep the 'stereotypes' of guns in a duel scene. One could suggest that Antoine Fuqua has decided to use knifes to make this movie categorise as a action genre along side the western genre. Antoine Fuqua had noticed what Steve Neale has stated and has decided to attempt to evolve the western genre. Steve Neale said 'genres are instances of repetition and differences'. I believe differences between media texts from the same genre are very important because the viewer wouldn't want to see the same key ideas in a movie. Repetition won't appeal to many audiences. A difference would interest the viewer as it will give them 'something new' to look forward to. Just like 'The Magnificent 7' there are similarities to other well-known western films, however, viewers or the audience will be more engaged to the differences that separate one text form another within the same genre. Also, Neale argued that audiences are derived from this mix of 'repetition and difference'. This is mainly because he noticed that if the genre didn't evolve the media texts would be predictable. I believe this is what Antoine Fuqua (the director) took into account when directing this movie. He wanted to gain a bigger following and he knew that audiences would be engaged in something different and unique. He also noticed that audiences find pleasure through recognising the same elements from a genre and comparing the differences presented in the same genre.