Genre

 Task 1: Genre factsheets

1) What example is provided of why visual iconographies are so important?

The mise-en-scene of a space is usually associated with a sci-fi movie.

2) What examples are provided of the importance of narrative in identifying genre?

The type of media language used to describe the movie/show. 

3) What is the difference between character representation in action movies and disaster movies?

In action movie, the protagonist is made to look like a "lone wolf", to show how they are alone fighting against the world, with little aid. In a disaster movie, the protagonist is made to look like a hero/heroine, but also has a supporting cast who don't know each other but are fighting against the same thing.

4) What are the different ways films can be categorised according to Bordwell?

 

How genre is used by an audience and how genres are used by media producers. 

5) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

They use their previous knowledge to decide if they will like the specific movie/show they are looking to watch.

They compare the texts to other texts.

They use their knowledge to reject a text. 

6) List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.

Used as templates to follow to construct a text.

Using it to attract an audience.

Using it as a marketing text e.g. film trailers.

7) What film genre is used as an example of how genres evolve? What films and conventions are mentioned?

Gangster movies. The usual conventions used are, that there a gang of criminals whose lives are glamorised  due to the money and reputation they have and the conflict that they have with the police.

1) List five films the factsheet discusses with regards to the Superhero genre.

-The X men franchise

-Superman

-V for Vandetta 

-300

-Scott Pilgrim vs the World

2) What examples are provided of how the Superhero genre has reflected the changing values, ideologies and world events of the last 70 years?

Superman - During the course of its time, Superman faces different villains and obstacles. He faces different types of relationships with different types of women.

3) How can Schatz's theory of genre cycles be applied to the Superhero genre?

Innovation - Superheroes were established through children's comic books.

Classical - In the 1950's the genre was going through the stage of repetition where there were key conventions through each superhero genre film produced.

Parody - Batman (1960) was comedic, so the audience couldn't take him seriously.

Deconstruction - In 1997 the Batman and Robin film didn't receive a positive feedback. This lead to the deconstruction of the genre leading to the rise of new type of superhero film such as The X Men (2000).

Task 2: Genre analysis case study

General:

1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?

I chose to analyse 'Back To The Future' franchise as it is great blockbuster, which is well known.

2) In what context did you encounter it?

My parents introduced me to the movie.

3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?

I thought if my parents had seen the movie, than it must be good and it must be suitable for me to see.

4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?

Sci-Fi

5) What is your experience of this genre?

I love this genre, as the science interests me and all the graphics.

6) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?

Scientific technology/equipment and unrealistic objects that don't exist.

7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?

It has the time-travel and teleportation elements.

8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?

It will have some sort of alien or extraterrestrial life forms. 

9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?

Time-travelling - it has a time machine ( the DeLorean)

10) What generic labels have others given the same text?

A fantasy movie.

11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?

Time-travelling

Teleportation

Futuristic machinery 

12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?

In Back To The Future Part III - The main theme becomes more of  a western movie.

13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?

It becomes of a western movie, maybe because they went through the phase of deconstruction so decided to add another genre.

14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?

The setting and the whole narrative in Part III, e.g. the western showdown scene. 

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

The DeLeroen, which is the time machine.

Mode of address:

1) What sort of audience did you feel that the text was aimed at (and how typical was this of the genre)?

Mainly aimed and young adults (15 - 40, but is suitable for all ages), this is due to have the protagonist, Marty, who is a school student and all the older characters such as the Doc. Due to this it has genre of coming of age. 

2) How does the text address you?

The life of the school students is relatable to me as I am still studying.

3) What sort of person does it assume you are?

A young adult.

4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?

A middle class, young male adult, from a white background.

5) What interests does it assume you have?

An interest in science and technology.

Relationship to other texts:

1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)? 

The music used - 2 songs from Huey Lewis and the News, "Back in Time" and "Power of Love" and "Johnny B. Goode" by Chuck Berry, "Earth Angel" by  Marvin Berry.

2) In terms of genre, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?

In terms of genre, I think Star Wars.

 

3) What key features are shared by these texts?

 As both of them have futuristic machinery, the mode of transportation e.g. the Delorean as a time machine and the Millennium Falcon which is a spaceship.

4) What major differences do you notice between them?

One is set on Earth, but in the past and the other is set in another made up galaxy and planets.