Genre:Blog tasks

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

Genres are categories or types of media text. Genres are recognisable

through the repeated use of generic codes and conventions.e.g. the mise-en-scene of deep space, usually indicates the genre of sci fi

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

Visual and aural iconographies are not the only way that genres can

be identified. Genre can also be indicated in the way the story is

told via its narrative (the structure of the story telling) and plot (the

events and occurrences within the story).Good examples of this are Independence Day (1996: dir. R. Emmerich),

Deep Impact (1998: M. Leder) and, more recently, The Day After

Tomorrow (2004: dir. R. Emmerich). In The Day After Tomorrow a

father has two goals: to persuade the government to act on his

advice and then to rescue his son.

3) 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

4) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

a) They use their 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.

b) They are able to compare 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 other text it is similar to.

c) They also use their knowledge of genre to reject a text. For

many of us there will be genres we actively dislike and therefore

will avoid accessing texts we assume to hold those

characteristics.

5) List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers. 
a) Production
Genres are paradigms or templates media producers can follow.
If a media producer wants to produce a new sit-com, there are
certain ’rules’ that must be followed. This actually makes life
easier for writers and producers as they don’t have to invent
things from scratch. They can also look to successful examples
of the genre and attempt to replicate what was popular and, of
course, avoid the mistakes made by texts which have
disappointed the audience.
b) Attracting an Audience

Sich usually attempt to

clearly define the genre of the film and then show as many of the

codes and conventions in the trailer. This acts to aome genres have loyal fan-bases. People will try out a new sit

com simply because it’s a new sit-com and this can help media

producers minimise the potential for failure.

c) Marketing Texts

Good examples of this are film trailers whttract fans of

the genre and set up the expectations of the film.

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

1)The X Men Franchise

(7 Films since 2000 –

4 more planned)

2)The Avengers and its

franchise including:

Iron Man, Thor,

Captain America, The

Hulk etc. (11 Films

since 2000 – 3 more

planned)

3)Spiderman (5 Films

since 2000)

4)Guardians of the

Galaxy

5)Agents of Shield (TV

Series)

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)In the 1940s, Superman was shown needing to battle European

bad-guys 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.

2)Superman battles against Lex Luther who is a wealthy

businessman and media magnate. This character appears first in

the 1930s and then again in the 1978 film. It is also significant

that Superman was raised in the rural community of Smallville.

This sets him up in conflict with greedy, city values.

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

Innovation: The visual codes for the superhero genre were

largely established via the comic books.

Classical: By the 1950s the superhero genre could be seen to

be in its classical stage with the codes and conventions being

replicated in the film and TV programmes of the time.

Parody: Batman (1966) was intentionally funny and camp and

wouldn’t let its audience take the superhero too seriously. It

had an ironic tone that flagged up the daft nature of the genre

and allowed the audience to enjoy the awareness of that.

Superman (1978) started a new cycle in the superhero genre with technology leading the innovation with special effects

creating more realistic visual ‘miracles’. Both the Superman series and Tim Burton’s Batman franchise treated the fantastic world of the

superhero seriously

After 1997’s Batman and Robin received a less than positive reception, the genre again needed to deconstruct and

re-innovate. The next stage of the genre’s development was the rise of Marvel Studios with The X Men (2000) and Spider-Man in 2002

and DC’s return with Batman Begins in 2005 and Superman Returns in 2006. These series have themselves been deconstructed once again.

task 2

1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?
I chose Scream 6 because it clearly identifies the main conventions of horror and thriller films. It also keeps the audience engaged with its intense storyline and suspenseful scenes.

2) To what genre did you initially assign the text?
I initially assigned the text to the horror and thriller genre.

3) What is your experience of this genre?
I find the genre captivating and interesting to watch, as it draws the audience in with tension, fear, and unexpected plot twists.

4) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?
The film is concerned with themes such as fear, survival, identity, and revenge. It also explores trust and betrayal, as the characters struggle to figure out who the killer is.

5) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?
Scream 6 is quite typical of the genre, as it includes a masked killer, jump scares, intense chase scenes, and a mystery around who the murderer is — all common elements of horror and thriller films.

6) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?
In this genre, I expect suspenseful music, unpredictable plot twists, violent scenes, and a constant sense of danger. I also expect the story to follow a group of characters who are being targeted by a mysterious killer.

7) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where - try imdb.com if unsure)?
Yes, according to IMDb, Scream 6 is officially labeled as a Horror, Mystery, and Thriller film.

8) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?
I recognize many genre conventions such as a masked killer, isolated or unsafe locations, jump scares, dramatic music, and the idea of a “final girl” — a common trope in horror films. There’s also a theme of mistrust, where no one knows who to believe.

9) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?
Scream 6 stretches the genre by moving the setting from a small town to a big city (New York), which is less common in traditional slasher films. It also blends modern themes, like media influence and legacy characters, with classic horror elements.

10) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?
The film departs from genre conventions by featuring stronger, more self-aware characters who often reference horror movie rules and clichés within the film itself. This “meta” approach adds a unique twist and makes the audience more aware of the genre’s structure.

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

The genre would be quite typical as a lot of people know of this genre and the sort of audience that the text would be aimed at is adults becuase it shows alot of jumpscares and ca make u feel quite overwhelmed
2) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?It may be that you are more lower class and are  an young adult who enjoys watching scary/thriller films that are quite engaging

3) What interests does it assume you have?

The intrests that it assumes you have is enjoying thriller and horror films that are captivating and often scare you

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

scream 6 features including posters for classic horror and sci fi films like the golem and metropolis

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

the other scream movies also reswemble
3) What key features are shared by these texts?

the jumpscares and thriller
4) What major differences do you notice between them?

they are the same