Genre

Factsheet 3 - Genre Categorizing texts

1) What example is provided of why visual iconographies are so important?
The visual iconography in TV shows and films can be similar however the use of different elements in media language e.g high key lighting, can help distinguish the genre of a certain media text. 

2) What examples are provided of the importance of narrative in identifying genre?
The example of sit coms and soap operas are used to show the importance of narrative. In sit coms the narrative structure is usually linear whereas in soap operas, multi strand narratives are used. 

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

In action movies the protagonist is isolated and independent throughout the movie, whereas in disaster movies the characters are usually in a group in which each of them have different abilities that allow them to help each other out. 

4) What are the different ways films can be categorized 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. Genre can help an audience decide whether or not they will like the film  
2. They can also use their knowledge of genre to prepare for a media text. Chandler states that different genres have ''particular conventions'' that can improve our knowledge and allow us to have certain expectations when watching a media text of this genre.
3. They can use genre to compare media texts. For example if you are trying to explain a TV show to someone the first thing that you would mention is the genre. 

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

1. Genres are paradigms or templates that media producers can follow when coming up with a new film or TV show. This allows them to use similar conventions that a particular genre includes and also avoid mistakes that have previously been disliked by audiences. They can also get inspiration if they want to add their own twist to the film. 
2. Genres also attract audiences- some people may be interested in new shows just because its in a particular genre. 
3. They are also useful when advertising texts. By showing the audience a few codes and conventions in the trailer, it will attract fans of the genre. 

7) What film genre is used as an example of how genres evolve? What films and conventions are mentioned?
The article mentions that the Gangster genre has evolved. Films such as Scarface, Reservoir Dogs and The Sopranos were mentioned to suggest that most gangster films revolve around ''rivalry between opposing gangs'' and the fight for power and status. Conventions such as gang violence and also conflict with the police and criminals would also be relevant to the genre. 

Factsheet 126 - Superheroes: A genre case study 

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

1. The X Men 
2. The Avengers
3. Batman
4. Guardians of the Galaxy
5. Superman

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

Overtime the superhero genre has changed by offering slightly different narratives. The superheroes '' face different villains, overcome different obstacles...''. The superhero genre fits in with the dominant ideology and ideas during that time so that audiences can relate to them. For example, In the 1940s Superman would battle against Lex Luther (who was a wealthy businessman). The events during this time, such as the Great Depression related to movies like Superman and allowed audiences to relate to the movie. 

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

Schatz theory applies to the superhero genre as it is dynamic and goes through a cycle:

Innovation-  ''the visual codes were largely established in comic books.'' For example a man wearing a cape and uniform with a certain emblem, would be a visual code for a superhero movie. 
Classical- The conventions are repeated
Parody- The codes then become cliched and repeated mainly to be ironic and funny. 
Deconstruction- the genre is experimented with to establish new or different conventions.

Own Genre Analysis- Mr Robot

General

1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?
I chose it because its not a typical crime/thriller TV show. It revolves around hacking and other forms of cyber crime. 
2) In what context did you encounter it?
I saw it on Amazon Prime
3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?
I would've expected it to be quite intriguing and creative as Amazon Originals tend experiment with certain conventions associated with a genre.
4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?
I expected it to be a sci-fi/ drama as the name Mr Robot sounded like a machine that became friends with a guy in a black hoodie. 
5) What is your experience of this genre?
I've watched the flash which is a sci-fi/ drama show. However I usually don't watch movies or tv shows that are sci-fi.    
6) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?
The show revolves around the 5/9 hacks and the way in which ''fsociety'' a hacker group similar to ''Anonymous'' can hack into almost anything. 
7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?
It is not typical of the crime/ thriller genre as they tend to explore themes such as murder and theft. Even though some of these conventions are seen in MR Robot the show is mostly based on cyber crime and hacking.
8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?
I expect a crime/thriller to have conventions such as a protagonist e.g the police or a detective, a villain e.g a murderer or a bank robber. I also expect it to be fast paced and dramatic which contrast Mr Robot. 
9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?
I thought it was a drama/sci fi, however it turned out to be a crime/thriller (according to IMDb)
10) What generic labels have others given the same text?
Other people would probably think that it was a sci-fi too
11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?
There is always a disruption in the equilibrium, usually after a chain of events that create tension.The characters also frequently use props such as guns and lighters.
12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?
It stretches it to a large extent as the show doesn't use the typical conventions seen in the crime/thriller genre. 
13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?
Although there is low key lighting in some scenes e.g in a therapy session with Elliot and his therapist Krista, it is not as frequently used as it is the genre. It isn't always fast paced as some scenes are purposely slowed down to create tension e.g when Elliot is breaking into the temperature sensors in a high security building.
14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?
These conventions are usually seen in a drama / sci fi show.
15) What familiar motifs or images are used?
A suspicious character in a hoodie (Elliot). A authoritative figure in a suit or formal attire (Tyrell and the police)   

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)?
I thought it would be aimed at 15-25 year olds, as this particular demographic is common amongst the crime/thriller genre.
2) How does the text address you?
It is aimed at teenagers who are interested in narratives that explore the crime genre. 
3) What sort of person does it assume you are?
It probably assumes that I am educated and therefore can understand the different types of crime that take place nowadays. 
4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?
It probably assumes that I am a teenager/young adult (mostly male) who is part of the working/middle class, and also white, 
5) What interests does it assume you have?
It probably assumes that I have an interest in technology. 

Relationship to other texts

1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?
There are references to the 5/9 hacks as well as the infamous hacker group, Anonymous.  2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?
It is quite similar to the show Dexter which is a crime/drama 
3) What key features are shared by these texts?
Both characters, Elliot and Dexter, play vigilantes in the narrative- they both use evidence to find criminals and ''get rid of them''. They are also the narrators of their own stories. They are also independent and pursue their secret lives outside of working hours. They also keep a record of their ''victims''- Dexter keeps blood samples while Elliot burns information on CDs and places them in an album.
4) What major differences do you notice between them?
Elliot character is not able to hide his secret identity as well as Dexter does.