Cooking up a Western
A recipe for understanding genre
What’s a recipe got to do with it?
Employing cooking recipes as a metaphor for filmmaking is clichéd, but it is also a fun and effective approach to illustrate the importance of planning and understanding the elements of a film.
“So, let’s talk about Westerns…”
There I was, starting class when this question floated across the room: “Should we be watching Westerns? Aren’t they, ‘like,’ not politically correct?”
'Oh good!' I thought to myself, sensing that dissent was brewing.
Yes, we should watch them; yes, we should talk about them. Kids are smart, and this challenging comment was the perfect starting point for a rich discussion. It opened the door to explore why Westerns might be seen as ‘not politically correct’, leading to astute observations on representation, historical accuracy, and ideology on screen.
Why the Western?
The Western genre is an ideal starting point due to its distinct, easily recognizable features. Set against the backdrop of the American frontier in the late 19th century, it offers students a clear, tangible context, enhanced by iconic imagery like cowboys, horses, and saloons that they often are already familiar with.
Westerns explore universal themes such as heroism, morality, and the struggle between humanity and nature. Their straightforward plot structures and character archetypes provide students with a clear understanding of storytelling basics and character development. This simplicity aids in identifying and analyzing genre conventions and tropes, forming a foundation for comparison with other genres.
The Western genre catalyzes discussion on its historical inaccuracies and problematic representations, particularly in its portrayal of First Nations people and the glorification of colonial expansion. This exploration introduces students to critical media literacy, prompting them to carefully examine the socio-political implications of film and media.
The recipe as a classroom activity
*Note - this works across a wide age range. It might seem too young for high school students, but, trust me, it isn’t.
Prompt students to make a list on the board or in their notebooks of everything they think is typical of a Western. After gathering all these elements, start sifting through to figure out the essential 'ingredients' of a Western. Have fun creating a recipe card as if “cooking” a film. It's an organic process, allowing the students to gradually identify some of the codes and conventions of the genre. They may not have all the words and terminology in place yet, but they have the observational skills to start making clear lists.
Creating the recipe card is a playful, engaging way to introduce the concept of genre without overwhelming the idea.
Restricting the number of ingredients and making sure that the directions build film structure helps.
Works best as a collaborative and guided activity the first time around.
Is versatile and can be adapted as a strategy for pitching ideas, crafting short presentations, or even brainstorming actual short film concepts.
A Western to recommend
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford (2007) directed by Andrew Dominik.
Recipe Card Resources
I have created a slide show version of the Traditional Western recipe card and also the template for making recipes.
Western Genre Recipe Card - Link on Canva to view in your own classrooms.
Genre Recipe Card - Template on Canva to use, modify and adapt for your own classrooms. You need to be logged into Canva to use.
Recipe for a Western - Link on Gumroad, PDF for easy download.