Genre blog tasks - Mr Halsey

 Task 1) Genre Fact sheet

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

Sometimes visual iconographies are important as they are enough to tell the scene like how the mise-en-scene of deep space is most commonly associated with the genre of Sci-Fi. However someone sitting behind a desk doesn't specifically spell out a genre but if you add in high-key lighting, a more natural use of mise-en-scene and a screen behind the character at the desk, this will allow us to interpret a scene with a news broadcast which the visual iconography alone already communicates this to us as an audience.

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

Most genres have specific types of story lines. In Soap Operas it wouldn't be odd to see one of the story-lines consisting of 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 could however, also appear in a Sit-Com the way the story would develop is different. In a Soap Opera the situation could be shown in a serious way with the boss representing the villain acting in an abusive manner and taking very long to develop the specific narrative whereas in a Sit-Com this could be an on-going story or a problem that's solved within the (mostly) 30 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 is outside a supporting group, having to fight alone to save the world/a specific target; whereas in disaster movies the role is usually given within a group of people in which they all have specific attributes which play a part in solving the problem -which is then used through the collaboration of a group who which work 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) Their use of 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) Comparing 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 texts it could be similar to.

3) Their use of knowledge of genre to reject a text. For many of us/consumers, there will be genres we actively dislike or like therefore allowing us to avoid or actually access 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 that media producers are free to follow. If a media producer wants to produce a new Sit-Com or show for a different genre, there are specific rules that should be followed. They can observe successful examples of the genre in an attempt to replicate what was or is popular and obviously avoid the mistakes made by texts which have deeply upset the audience.

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

3) Marketing texts = Great examples for this are film trailers, which usually attempt to define the genre of the film by showing as many of the codes and conventions in the trailer. This acts as a base to attract fans of the genre and set up 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 conventional gangster films (and their modern equivalents) there are countless similarities, however due to time the iconographies have changed so the genre ends up as stale and uninteresting for the audience even if the basic conventions of the genre remain. One code of the traditional gangster movie were Tommy Gun hidden in violin cases. The first time this would have happened would have been quite surprising, and that after that it would be enjoyable when the expectation of a gun being hidden this way is met. Eventually, the idea of using the violin case would be seen as unimaginative – therefore becoming a cliché.

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

The X Men Franchise

The Avengers Franchise

Spiderman (Raimi Trilogy) (TASM Duo) (Holland Trilogy)

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 in battle with European villains 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 at the time saw it at first as a European issue. As the war went underway, the US Government considered getting involved even if many of their population didn't want to. Episodes of the early Superman serials can often be seen reinforcing the need for America to be prepared for a 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 started to be replicated in film and TV programmes with said codes and conventions. 

Parody: In 1966 Batman was ironically funny and wouldn't let his audience take him seriously. After this the parodic versions of the superhero genre were constantly represented in children's animations. 

Deconstruction: In 1978, Superman started a new era in the genre with technology and the use of special effects leading to more realistic visuals. 

Task 2) Genre analysis Case Study - The Boys

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

  I chose The Boys as its a text I'm all caught up on and I enjoyed it.
2) In what context did you encounter it?

  I kept coming across clips of season two show up on TikTok and decided to try it.
3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?

 TikTok feeds off of showing big things in less than a minute so fans of the series made gruesome edits from the characters. I think this has a big influence as it boosts the Morales of the show.
4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?

  Superhero Genre.
5) What is your experience of this genre?

  Flashing lights, fast-paced action, suspense.

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

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

  Not typical at all. This is a Superhero show grounded in realism. It's gruesome, It's gory, It's disturbing.
8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?

  To be quite uplifting and motivational.
9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?

  Every marvel movie ever.
10) What generic labels have others given the same text?

  None. Everyone has their own opinions which share the joint opinion of "this isn't a generic superhero show."
11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?

  The Superheros and the action.
12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?

  To a large and disturbing extent.
13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?

   It doesn't make attempts to sugarcoat the superheros, grounding them in reality, making them have jobs, making them have actual problems. And this could go for all the characters.
14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?

  The brutal killings can be associated with the Thriller genre.
15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

   The same motifs are used but they are twisted in sick ways.

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)?

   Late teens to early adults.
2) How does the text address you?

   I'm not sure on how it addresses me really.
3) What sort of person does it assume you are?

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

   Everyone is treated equally, accept for the heros, they are given the most praise by everyone.
5) What interests does it assume you have?

   That I have an interest in realism.

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.

   The make clever jokes to how superheros are described as and how they are written.
2) In terms of genre, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?

   The Amazon Prime original animation Invincible. Very much the same in terms of shock factor and action. 
3) What key features are shared by these texts?

   Realism and betrayal.
4) What major differences do you notice between them?

  Invincible still has the ''cartoony'' feel to it while The Boys is 100% realism.