Steve Neale is one of the most influential contemporary theorists of film genre. He argues that genre is not merely a category of form or content, but a cultural and institutional process within the film industry.
According to Neale, genre operates through a balance of repetition and difference: films must repeat familiar elements while introducing variations to remain engaging. He also highlights the role of audience expectations, cultural norms, and the economic function of genre in shaping cinematic production.
Neale's work is particularly valuable for understanding how genre intersects with ideology and media institutions. His key publications include Genre and Hollywood and Questions of Cinema. By linking genre theory with cultural studies and critical theory, Neale offers a deeper understanding of how genres work as systems of meaning, power, and entertainment in contemporary cinema.
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