Genre Blog Tasks

TASK 1: Genre Fact-sheets

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

Sometimes visual iconographies are enough to act alone like the mise-en-scene of deep space usually indicates the genre of sci-fi however someone sitting behind a desk is not genre specific yet add high key lighting, a modern mise-en-scene and a screen behind the character at the desk and we will associate the scene with a news broadcast which already just the visual iconography communicates meaning to us as an audience. 

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

Some genres have particular types of story lines. In a soap opera it would not be unusual to see one of the story-lines follow a family having to deal with a domestic situation such as a member of the family having trouble with their boss at work. This story may also appear in a sit-com however the way the story develops is different.  In a soap opera the situation may be shown in a very serious way and the boss represented as a villian and act in an abusive manner and will take very long to develop this narrative whereas in a sit-com this may be an on-going story or it may be a problem that is solved within the thiry minute episode. The sit-com is more likely to present this narrative in a humorous way compared to the soap opera. 

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

Characters in action movies are usually represented as a "Lone Wolf" who works alone and are outside of a supportive group and have to fight alone to save the world whereas in disaster movies the heroic role is usually within a group of people in which they all have particular strengths which play a part in solving the problem through the collaboration of a group who works together. 

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

• Period or Country, e.g. US films of the 1930s

• Director / Star, e.g. Ben Stiller Films

• Technical Process, e.g. Animation

• Style, e.g. German Expressionism;

• Series, e.g. Bond;

• Audience, e.g. Family Films

5) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

1) They use their prior knowledge of the genre to anticipate whether or not they are likely to enjoy a text. This helps when selecting a media text whether it is a lifestyle magazine, a film

or a television programme.

2) They are able to compare a text through its shared characteristics with another. If you try to describe a TV programme to someone who has not seen it, you are likely to define its genre and then clarify what other text it is similar to.

3)They also use their knowledge of genre to reject a text. For many of us there will be genres we actively dislike and therefore will avoid accessing texts we assume to hold those

characteristics.

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

1) Production= Genres are paradigms or templates media producers can follow. If a media producer wants to produce a new sit-com, there are certain ’rules’ that must be followed. They can look to successful examples of the genre and attempt to replicate what was popular and, of course, avoid the mistakes made by texts which have disappointed the audience.

2) Attracting an audience= Some genres have loyal fan-bases. People will try out a new sit-com simply because it’s a new sit-com and this can help media producers minimise the potential for failure.

3) Marketing texts= Good examples of this are film trailers which usually attempt to clearly define the genre of the film and then show as many of the codes and conventions in the trailer. This acts to attract fans of the genre and set up the expectations of the film.

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

In the coventional gangster films and the modern equivalents there are many similiarites however over time the iconographies have changed so the genre is not stale and uninteresting for the audience but the basic conventions of the genre remain. 

One code of the traditional gangster movie was to have a Tommy Gun hidden in a violin case.

The first time an audience member saw this is would be a surprise, after that it would be pleasurable when the expectation of a gun being hidden this way was met. Eventually, the idea of using the violin case would be seen as unimaginative – it had become a cliché. 

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

The X Men Franchise

The Avengers and its franchise including: Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk etc.

Spiderman

Guardians of the Galaxy

Agents of Shield

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

In the 1940s, Superman was shown needing to battle European bad-guys who threatened the peace and security of Metropolis. Even though he only wanted to live a quiet life, he was forced into conflict for the greater good. WW2 began in 1939 and the US people saw it at first as a European issue. As the war got underway, the US government saw that they might have to get involved  even if many of their population did not want to. Episodes of the early Superman serials can often be seen reinforcing the need for America to be prepared to fight to protect its culture and values.

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

Innovation: In the 1940s visual codes for the superhero genre were established via comic books. 

Classical: By the 1950s the superhero genre was being replicated in film and TV programmes with the codes and conventions. 

Parody: In 1966 Batman was intentionally funny and wouldn't let it's audience take the superhero too seriously. After Batman the parodic versions of the genre were largely located in children's animations. 

Deconstruction: In 1978 Superman started a new cycle in the genre with technology leading the innovation with special effects creating more realistic visuals. 

TASK 2: Genre analysis case study- The Walking Dead 

General

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

I chosed this text as it is a TV show i am currently watching and enjoying. 

2) In what context did you encounter it?

My cousin is obsessed with this show and he kept talking to me about it which made me want to start to watch it. 

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

I believe it had a positive influence as he would only mention good things about the show to persuade me to watch it. 

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

Initially i assigned this text to horror as from the clips i found it scary however as i started watching the actual show i wouldn't say is that scary. 

5) What is your experience of this genre?

I was shocked myself that i'm actually watching a show from the horror genre as typically i don't like anything from the horror genre as i get too scared. 

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

The show is about a zombie apocalypse that has wiped out most of the nation however as the show continues we discover there are people that have survived and they form groups in order to survive however things get worse and these groups go against eachother. 

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

I mean it does kind of match the horror genre as it does feature zombies and has jumpscares but not many however personally i wouldn't say it has the common horror features. 

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

In the horror genre i usually expect themes like paranormal activity, psycho killers, lot's of jumpscares, low-key lighting. 

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

I've seen this text all over social media with people praising this show. 

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

Horror.

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

Jump scares, Zombies. 

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

Not too far i'd say this show has multiple genres. 

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

Usually during any scene where 2 close friend characters are talking as i would say this show does present the close friendships that have been created due to this apocalypse. 

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

I'd say romance as we do see characters getting together to form a romantic relationship throughout the show. 

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

Certain main characters have their iconic weapons that they have used since season 1. E.g one of the main characters Daryl Dixon has his crossbow. 

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)?

I feel like people who enjoy a bit of everything as this show has violence, gruesome content, action, romance, comedy at certain points. 

2) How does the text address you?

The text addresses me by continous enigma codes, season 6 was my favourite as there was a villian that we never saw until the end of the season which always wanted me to continue watching to find out who he was. 

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

That i'm a person interested in violent, apocalyptic shows yet also shows with a bit of comedy and romance. 

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

Possibly that teenagers enjoy watching violent, horror shows as well as the fact that females can also be interested in action/violent shows not just stereotypically males. 

5) What interests does it assume you have?

That i enjoy watching TV in my spare time as it has 11 seasons. 

Relationship to other texts

1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)? Intertextuality is when a media product references another media text of some kind.

There is intertextuality between The Walking Dead and Fear: The Walking Dead as it has the same concept of a zombie apocalypse but has different characters however some of The Walking Dead characters have appeared in Fear: The Walking Dead. 

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

Fear: The Walking Dead. 

3) What key features are shared by these texts?

Both have the same concept of a zombie apocalypse and even feature a couple of characters from The Walking Dead. 

4) What major differences do you notice between them?

The Walking Dead is based on comics whereas Fear: The Walking Dead is not. Fear: The Walking Dead shows the start of the zombie outbreak whereas The Walking Dead starts the show a couple months after the apocalypse.