Genre factsheet

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

The example that is provided of why visual iconographies are so important is the use of mise-en-scene is science fiction films such as Star Wars &a Star Trek. 

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

The examples provided are 'Independence day', 'Deep Impact' and 'The day after tomorrow'. 

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

The characters in action movies are represented as being dominant, strong and powerful - they are usually  isolated and work alone. However the characters in disaster movies are usually a part of a group of heros who all contribute to solving a problem. 

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

According to Bordwell the different ways films can be categorised are:

-Period or Country 

-Director/Star

-Technical Process 

-Style

-Series

-Audience

List three ways genre is used by audiences.

Prior knowledge- The audience uses what they already know about the genre to decide whether they are interested in the text.
Rejection- Audiences avoid certain texts/products that have certain conventions of a genre that they have no interest in.
Comparison- The audience uses what they already know about a genre to compare to texts that have similar conventions of a certain genre.

List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.

-Attracting an audience: An audience that like a certain genre will watch new films and programmes that are categorised under that genre; audience's are loyal.

-Production: Producers/Institutions look at successful examples of genre and replicate them with their film/TV series.

-Marketing texts: Movies trailers and posters use key conventions to present a specific genre, helping the audience to identify it straight away to gain interest and knowledge of what they will be watching. By presenting the genre through trailers and posters, it will result in more success for the media as this helps to attract target audiences. 

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

Gangster movies are the example of how genres evolve over time. The films Scarface, Reservoir Dogs and The Sopranos are mentioned. The conventions suggest how certain narrative structures are used in different types of genres. 

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

-X Men
-Chronicle
-Batman
-Guardians of the galaxy
-Spider-Man

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

The film examples provided of how the Superhero genre has reflected the changing values, ideologies and world events of the last 70 years are: Superman, Batman, Scott Pilgrim Vs the world. The Superhero genre tend to use events such as war, human attacks, supremacy etc. 

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

Schatzs theory of genre cycles can be applied to the Superhero genre because the first stage of innovation applied to the Superhero comic books that later had been developed into films. The second stage of the genre cycle is classical where the ideas and conventions of a specific genre are repeated in different films. This applies to the Superhero genre as we can identify classical movies of this type such as superman, batman, Spider-Man which all share the same key conventions. The next stage of this cycle is parody which is when the codes become cliched and mocked. The last stage of the cycle is deconstruction which is when the genre is experimented with to establish new and different conventions to add to a genre, making it less common. 

Why did you choose the text you are analysing?

I have chosen to analyse this text because because it uses an interesting central image, using key conventions of the fantasy genre on the poster. 

In what context did you encounter it?

I encountered this media text on google images.

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

The use of the mystical characters and the setting used on the poster create a fantasy/mystical interpretation of this media text. 

To what genre did you initially assign the text?

I initially assigned this text under the genre of fantasy.

What is your experience of this genre?

This genre tends to include mystical/inhumane characters as well as unrealistic, distinct settings. They also include a human protagonist or at least one human character who encounters an adventure.  

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

The subject matter of this text is the protagonist in the middle of the central image who is seen to be walking into all of these mythical characters looking back at her old life. The themes this text addresses are fantasy and adventure.

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

In terms of context, this is typical of the genre of fantasy and adventure as it includes all of the key conventions such as a human protagonist and unusual mystical characters.

What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?

They all tend to use a mystical setting as well as mystical characters. The main character is usually a human or part human on an adventure or uncovering an unexpected discovery. 

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

The mystical setting - not real or existent, the mystical characters and the human protagonist who is female (this is somewhat typical - also used in films such as The Wizard of Oz, Maleficent).

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

I think that this text doesn't stretch the conventions of the fantasy and adventure genres and uses the key conventions of them.

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

I think it uses all of the key conventions correctly.

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

The low-key, dark lighting used in this text creates a sense of suspense and mystery - these are conventions of the mystery genre. 

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

Fantasy creatures and characters as well as an unusual setting - typically another planet/ dimension/ world. 

1) 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 text was aimed at a younger audience of children and teens. Also, I think that this was aimed at families as a whole. This is typical of the fantasy genre as their usual target audience is someone of a younger age who is more interested in fantasy compared to someone of an older age.

2) How does the text address you?

This text addresses the audience through the tag line at the top which states, "We are all mad here". The use of the inclusive word "we" makes the audience feel as if they are being directly addressed and included. Also, the fact that all of the characters in the central image are staring directly forward makes the audience feel as if they are being directly addresses, drawing them into the poster.

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

This text assumes that their audience is appealed to fantasy and the unknown.

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

They assume that their audience is younger or somebody who is a part of a family. They may also assume that this genre would appeal more to females than males of a white middle class.

5) What interests does it assume you have?

It may assume that their audience takes interest in reading as this text was originally a book before made into a film. They may also assume that their audience has an interest in films with in the fantasy genre. 

Relationship to other texts

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

2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?
This text resembles closely to the 'Maleficent' poster and the 'Oz' poster. 

3) What key features are shared by these texts?
They all include the use of mystical settings and characters on the front of the posters. They also use quite low key lighting on their posters which creates a sense of mystery.

4) What major differences do you notice between them?
Even though they all use a mystical setting, they all have a different one. They also have different types of mystical characters. The 'Alice in wonderland' and 'Oz' poster differs to the 'Maleficent' poster as the first two use quite neutral/lighter  colours where as the other poster uses dark colours. This suggests that the first two may be more adventure based compared to the last which may have more or a dark narrative to it.