GENRE BLOG TASKS!

 GENRE BLOG TASKS:

TASK 1: GENRE FACTSHEETS

                    Read Media Fact sheet 03 - Genre: Categorising texts and answer the following questions:

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

The example provided is someone sitting behind a desk is not genre specific and will not seem to be very important but if you add high key lighting and a screen behind the characters at the desk and the combination

of media language choices creates an image we associate with a news broadcast. This is important because visual iconographies use codes and conventions

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

The examples of genre are represented by Independence Day and in the day after tomorrow as they represent the genre of hero's which is a part of codes and conventions.

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

The difference between action movies is that the hero's in action movies are usually strong and powerful and the movie as a whole depend on Indvidual strength whereas disaster movies value teamwork and collaboration.

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

Bordwell created methods of categorisation which are:

• period or country
• director/ star
• technical process
• style
• series
• audience

Each method of categorisation has their own shared characteristics in media language, plots, narrative structures.

List three ways genre is used by audiences.

1. Prior knowledge: to anticipate whether or not they are likely to enjoy a text
2. Compare: To be able to compare a text through its shared characteristics with another
3. knowledge of genre to reject a text

List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.

1. Production: To look at successful examples of genres and replicate them within their film 
2. Attracting an audience: genres having loyal fan bases 
3. Marketing texts: Film trailers, posters, billboard that promote a film

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

The genre, gangster has evolved over time. The genre typically involves and focuses on groups on criminals and violence of gangs and the aftereffects it has. The rivalries within two or more gangs are also shown amongst police, gangs and conflict. One example that is shown is Scarface.

Read Media Factsheet 126 - Superheroes: A Genre Case Study and answer the following questions:

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

1. Chronicle 
2. X-men
3. Scott pilgrim 
4. spiderman 
5. superman 

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

Two films such as Superman and Spiderman have seen numerous remakes and reboots, share the same type of plot and structure but are darker and more sombre in modern times while remaining faithful to their original works.

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

Schatz, for example he uses the following terms to show how genres are dynamic and that they go through a cycle:

• innovation 
• classical
• parody 
• deconstruction

TASK 2: GENRE ANALYSIS CASE STUDY:

Choose a film or TV text and answer the following questions - brief answers/bullet point responses are fine:

General:

TOP BOY:

Why did you choose the text you are analysing?

I chose this series because I believe that there is a lot of genres that this film follows. There are a lot of aspects I can analyse about this series especially because this is one of my favourite genres to talk about. 

In what context did you encounter it?

I really enjoy shows that involve crime and drama. This series had been in my Netflix suggestions for a long time and one of my friends had recommended this series to me and then i started to watch it. After watching this series my interest in genres that involve crime and drama went high.

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

The movie is focused on a character who is the protagonist named Dushane and is willing to become the top boy of the area by selling drugs. A personal connection is created between the audience and the two gangs. This is when the audience have to choose their favourite gang and be on a side. This series has crime, disagreements, deals and even school drama between friends.

 To what genre did you initially assign the text?

Initially I thought that this series would mostly be towards the drama genre. I thought of this because of the protagonists wearing school uniforms which is why i thought there would be a bit out consensus between an adult and a child in terms of drugs. However, this show was mainly based on crime and getting what they want

 What is your experience of this genre?

My experience of this genre is beyond good. I find that crime and drama go really well and compliment themselves. This keeps the audience engaged with the show and makes them want to know what's happening next.

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

The themes of this movie are action and crime. This series also creates emotional and sympathetic feelings through the mise-En-scene that is used. There are different parts to the story that involves many different genres making this series a hybrid genre. 

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

This genre is a very well-known and common genre however the way the genre is presented through crimes, gang and family it makes the content and series 10x better to watch. It is not the same thing as every other crime show which makes the audience to keep engaging with the show.

What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?

I had expected that an action movie like this would be very predictable and it will follow the narrative structure by Torodov with the peace then the villain then the hero saving the day. but in reality this movie was very fast pace and active. The audience had to have their attention on the show at all times 

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

The characters are always active and on alert as they know anything can happen at anytime. most of these characters keep a very serious facial expression throughout the show to keep their personality of their character. i recognise the gun and the brutal crimes that have also taken place as they shoot people without looking back.

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

This show stretches the conventions to the extent of deaths and emotional moments throughout the scenes.

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

This show departs from the conventions of this genre of action and crime when it comes to family the characters become very friendly and secretive so that no one knows about the drug business and gangs. When it comes to crime and action the characters of this show become very violent and heartless as if there is nothing to worry about but when they go home they tend to leave the action villain side aside and be innocent.

Mode of address:

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

i think that this show was aimed at a younger teen audience. i feel this because this show can educate a lot of young adults in terms of knife crimes and gangs by showing them the life of being in a gangster and what impact it can have on people close to you emotionally 

How does the text address you?

This text grabbed my attention when the main little family was introduced in which in the beginning i thought would be the family that goes through a lot of issues in terms of people having a go at them however the individual in the show was also involved in gangs. this grabbed my attention because it made me want to know what happens next. 

What sort of person does it assume you are?

a young teenage girl 

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

The assumption made can be all in general because anyone can view this show as it is something that many people from different race or gender will view. however the stereotypical assumptions would be a male watching this because of the crime and brutal scenes it has.

What interests does it assume you have?

interests in real life issues. An interest in crime and investigating shows that involve family friends and school and in this case it can also involve money.

Relationship to other texts:

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.

A drama that intertextually references top boy is blue story this is because blue story is about best friends that live in different neighbourhoods of London and turn rivals and side their respective postcode based gangs. This movie is influenced by top boy that was released in 2011 and it lead to audiences watching similar shows, top boy helped blue story to have a strong audience because of how the story was different but referred to the same sort of text which was about drugs and gangs.

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

Another show that top boy resembles most closely is money heist. This relates more in terms of genre then storyline although the reason which this heist is going on is because of drugs.

What key features are shared by these texts?

In top boy and blue story both use male character that belong in gangs and run the business of drug dealing. Their competitors of the business lead to a lot of violence scenes that result in jail, death and even sentences.

What major differences do you notice between them?

In blue story the series is about two friends belonging to different gangs and becoming rivals whereas in top boy the series is mostly based on earning money for the family.