Genre: Categorising Text

Genre: Categorising Text

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

Sometimes these iconographies are enough to act alone. For example,the mise en scene of deep space, usually indicates the genre of sci-fi. Genres are categories or types of media text. Genres are recognisable through the repeated use of generic codes and conventions. Sometimes, however the iconographies work together to indicate the genre. Someone sitting behind a desk a desk is not genre specific but adding high key lighting will create iconographies.

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

Genre can also be indicated in the way the story is told via its narrative and plot. For example, in the 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. 

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

In action movies, they are often depicted making decisions that could be seen as immoral. This is an example of Jack Bauer, who is a stereotypical 'lone wolf' action hero. However, his unconventional responses tend to enable him to get the job done. On the other hand, disaster movies such as independence Day(1996), usually often places the heroic role within a group of people.

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

• Period or country 
• Director/star 
• Technical
• Style 
• Series 
• Audience 

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 the clarify what the other text it is similar to.

3. In addition to this, the knowledge of the genre prepares us when we start to access a media text. Chandler states that genre' frames the reader's interpretation of a text. In other words, knowledge of a genre means we will have certain expectations of the text that we expect to be fulfilled.

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

a) 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. This actually makes life easier for writers and producers as they don't have to invent things from scratch. 

b) Attracting an audience

Some genres have loyal fan-bases. People will try out a new sit-com simply because its a new sit-com and this can help media producers minimise the potential for failure.

c)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?

• ·         Vampire movies
• ·         Psychological horrors
• ·         Gothic horrors
• ·         Ghost stories
• ·         The Teen Slasher
• ·         Haunted-house movies

    some iconographies that are mentioned are Crosses, holy water, graveyards and gothic mansions for the vampire sub-genre. 

Superheroes: A Genre Case Study 

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
•   Spiderman
• Guardians of the Galax
•  Agents of Shiel

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

• Scott Pilgrim vs the world (Edgar Wright)
• The Avengers (Marvel)
• Superman(DC, Warner Brothers)
• Watchmen (Alan Moore)
• 300 (Frank Miller)

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

Innovation: The concept of heroes are introduced and the iconic symbolism is used in film, TV, and Radio.

Classical: Around the 1950's superhero media had conventions that were used repeatedly and recognisably

Parody: This is the point in which these conventions are ridiculed and parodied (e.g Superhero move (2008) Kick-Ass (2010 Megamind (2010)

Deconstruction: This is the point in a genres life cycle where you see the genre change. e.g while the very first Superman may have taken itself seriously with low-quality effects (obviously due to technology setbacks) New superhero films like The Avengers give the audience amazing effects and a serious tone with comedic aspects.

General

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

The film i decided to pick was skyscraper since the genre is very predictable as it consists of many action codes. 

2) In what context did you encounter it?

IN Cinema 

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

 This movie had many positive reviews and was rated 8/10 on IMDB therefore, decided to choose this film.

4) To what genre did you initially assign the Film?
After watching the movie, i initially assigned the film to a action genre since it portrays many iconographies.
5) What is your experience of this genre?

i saw many amazing scenes for example a helicopter flying into a building. This created tension but also excitement in the movie. 

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

7) How typical of the genre is this film in terms of content?
Skyscraper meets every aspect of an action genre movie as it consists of many iconographies and action codes which are typical in a action movie.

8) What expectations do you have about Film in this genre?
That the film will consist of many amazing scenes that will engage you in the story more. Scene that will intrigue the audience and leave them awestruck.  

9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?
No

11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the Film ?
The setting is fixed in one building that is completely destroyed. The use of one setting is the audience get attached to the setting creating vicarious pleasure for the audience.
12) To what extent does this film stretch the conventions of its genre?
The plot of the movie is very dramatic with intense action scenes which create tension. The characters are clearly shown which Prop character theory it represents
13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?
The story line is very original and the narrative is completely new to the new generation. 

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

At the beginning where the father is about to go work and says bye to his wife and kids. This scene seems more like a family drama than an action scene. 

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?
 The skyscraper which is on fire and people trapped inside the fire.

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)?
Ranging from 15+, 60% males and 40% Women since there's a lot of action. However there is a women who subverts female stereotypes.  

2) How does the text address you?
This movie is packed with action and has really good narrative which is original. 

3) What sort of person does it assume you are?
Talented , energetic and very aware of his/her surroundings

4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?
That the upper class have possession of alot of money or buildings and the classes below are fighting for their wealth. The young children show alot of heroic acts when trying to survive..
5) What interests does it assume you have?
Being the best my changing the world to be a better place for the citizens

Relationship to other texts

1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?
This movie is very unique and original that it doesn't show any references to any other movies.