genre blog task

Task 1: Genre factsheets

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

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

Visual iconographies are important as they create expectations and associations in the viewer's mind and can often act as a shorthand for understanding a text. For example, Someone sitting behind a desk is not genre

specific. However, add high key lighting, a modern mise-en-scene and a screen behind the character at the desk and the combination of media language choices creates an image we associate with a news broadcast.

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

Narrative is a key element in identifying the genre of a piece of media. In the case of soap operas, narrative is of particular importance because it is the backbone of the genre. Soap operas rely on long-term story arcs and ongoing character development, with multiple intertwining stories that unfold over a long period of time.

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

In action movies, characters are typically portrayed as heroic, highly skilled, and powerful individuals who are able to take on any challenge. They often have special abilities or abilities that are above the norm and are focused on accomplishing a goal. 

In disaster movies, characters are typically portrayed as more vulnerable and helpless individuals who are trying to survive a catastrophic event. They may have special skills or abilities to help them survive, but they are usually up against insurmountable odds and in extreme peril.

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

1. Formal: This categorization looks into the technical elements of a film, such as cinematography, editing, and sound design. 

2. Historical: This categorization looks at the contextual, political, and cultural elements of a film and its production, such as the time period, genre, and style.

3. Cultural: This categorization looks into the way a film is interpreted and understood, such as its reception and influence.

4. Aesthetic: This categorization looks into the artistic elements of a film, such as its narrative structure, visual style, and themes.

5) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

1. To help determine viewing preferences. 

2. To make purchasing decisions. 

3. To identify and discuss films.

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

1. Genre is used by institutions and producers to create a recognizable brand identity. By creating a certain type of film, television show, video game, or other work that adheres to certain conventions associated with the genre, producers can create a recognizable product that can be easily marketed and sold.

2. Genre is used by institutions and producers to categorize works for easier marketing. By labeling a work as a certain genre, producers can target their marketing campaigns to the appropriate audiences, ensuring that their product reaches the right people.

3. Genre is used by institutions and producers to create a shared language between creators and audiences. By labelling a work with an established genre, both creators and audiences can have an understanding of what to expect from the work and how to interpret it.

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

There are numerous similarities between classic gangster movies and their contemporary counterparts, yet over time, iconographies have altered, keeping the genre fresh and engaging for viewers while maintaining its fundamental tropes.

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

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

- The X Men Franchise

- The Avengers - 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?

1. Superman has long been seen as a symbol of American ideals, from the 1930s onwards. He has acted as a protector of truth, justice and the American way, and his actions have often been seen as a reflection of the values and beliefs of the American people.

2. In the 2000s, the Marvel Cinematic Universe emerged as a reflection of the post-9/11 world. The films often featured themes of global threats, the need for peace, and the power of teamwork. 

3. In recent years, the comic book industry has seen a surge in diverse representations, with characters such as Black Panther, Kamala Khan (Ms. Marvel), and Miles Morales (Spider-Man) taking centre stage. This has been a reflection of the growing demand

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

Schatz's theory of genre cycles suggests that genres go through a cycle of establishment, innovation, imitation, and exhaustion. In the case of the superhero genre, the cycle can be seen as beginning with the establishment of the genre in the 1930s and 1940s with the emergence of characters like Superman and Batman. This was followed by a period of innovation in the 1960s and 1970s with the emergence of characters like Spider-Man, the X-Men, and The Fantastic Four. This was followed by a period of imitation in the 1980s and 1990s, with the emergence of several other superhero teams and characters. Finally, the genre reached a state of exhaustion in the 2000s, with the emergence of several reboots and remakes of existing characters and stories.

Task 2: Genre analysis case study

Carry out your own genre analysis using the model provided by media theorist Daniel Chandler. Choose a film or TV text and answer the following questions - brief answers/bullet point responses are fine:

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

peaky blinders because of its story and context of it being set in the uk

2) In what context did you encounter it?

social media

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

it would have made me interpret it as more interesting due to clips of it containing the most eventful parts of the story

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

action and crime

5) What is your experience of this genre?

intriguing 

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

It follows the story of the Shelby crime family and their criminal activities, as well as the struggles of their family and those around them. 

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

it is atypical 

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

the expectations I have is some sorts of violence as well as criminal activity  

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

Crime Epic

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

1. Gangster Drama

2. Crime Epic

3. Period Thriller

4. Organized Crime Saga

5. Historical Fiction

6. Mobster Series

7. Post-Industrial Drama

8. Urban Gangland Story

9. Unconventional Crime Tale

10. Birmingham Underworld Tale

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

1. Gangsters and violence: Peaky Blinders is known for its intense portrayal of gangsters and violence. This aspect of the show is a nod to the classic gangster genre and its conventions.

2. Gritty storytelling: Peaky Blinders is renowned for its gritty and dark tone, which has become a major part of the show's identity. This kind of storytelling is common in the gangster genre and is used to create a sense of realism and tension.

3. Excessive swearing: Another common convention of the gangster genre is excessive swearing. As expected, Peaky Blinders is full of colorful language and profanity, which serves to further emphasize the intense atmosphere of the show.

4. Anti-heroes: Another common convention of the gangster genre is the use of anti-heroes. Peaky Blinders follows the convention by making its main character, Thomas Shelby, a complex and morally ambiguous figure. 

5. Criminal activity: Criminal activity is a cornerstone of the gangster genre, and Peaky Blinders is no exception. The show follows the Shelby family and their criminal schemes, making it an integral part of the storyline.

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

Peaky Blinders stretches the conventions of its genre in a number of ways. It features a larger cast of characters than is typical for the gangster genre, with a focus on a range of different backgrounds and personalities. It also uses multiple storylines and characters to explore themes of morality, family, and politics, as well as the traditional themes of crime, violence, and loyalty. The series also makes use of a number of stylistic elements, such as slow-motion sequences, jump cuts, and dream-like sequences, which are not typically seen in gangster films. Finally, the series has been praised for its strong female characters, which is a departure from the traditional male-dominated gangster genre.

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

Peaky Blinders departs from the conventions of the gangster genre by focusing on the culture of the Birmingham gang and exploring its intricate social dynamics. The show is more about the moral and psychological complexities of crime and the impact of poverty and social class on criminal behaviour, rather than simply glorifying violence and glamorizing criminal activity. 

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

The conventions of the show that seem more like those of a different genre are the musical score and the frequent use of slow motion. The musical score and the use of slow motion are often associated with the film genre, particularly epic/drama films.

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

Common motifs and images used in Peaky Blinders include: brooding and moody imagery; gangsters and violence; industrial and urban landscapes; period clothing; and traditional British music. Other motifs include religious symbolism, stylized cinematography, and references to the Birmingham working class.

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)?

British audiences 

2) How does the text address you?

the action and narrative aspect

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

an older person

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

an adult

5) What interests does it assume you have?

interested in dark storylines and themes and British history

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.

- “By Order of the Peaky Blinders”: This phrase is an allusion to the title of the show, which is a reference to the 19th-century British street gang of the same name.

- “I'm Sorry, I'm Not Interested”: This phrase is a reference to a song by the British rock band Arctic Monkeys, which has been featured in the show.

- “What Would Winston Do?”: This phrase is a reference to Winston Churchill, who famously served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during World War II.

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

Peaky Blinders is a crime drama that has been compared to other crime dramas such as The Sopranos, Boardwalk Empire, and Breaking Bad. It also has similarities with other British period dramas such as Downton Abbey and Call the Midwife. Additionally, it has been compared to gangster films such as The Godfather and Goodfellas.

3) What key features are shared by these texts?

crime

4) What major differences do you notice between them?

time period