Genre

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

The example given to provide the info as to why visual iconographies are so important is a broadsheet newspaper and codes and conventions.

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

The aspects of a text which the audience recognises as the characteristics of a genre are Generic codes and conventions. There are specific elements within the genre that are shared that straight away makes the audience certain to recognise a western.

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

Certain stereotypes are generally linked to different to specific genres. For instance the lone wolf hero is a convention of an action text. The lone wolf hero tends to be outside of a supportive group and act on his own without having anyone to weigh him down, he works by himself to fight against the villains or stop whatever threat is coming. Jack Baur from the film 24 is another stereotypical lone wolf and makes immoral decisions, however he always gets the job done.
The disaster movie usually places the heroic role within a group and they will have a set of strengths that will play a huge part in solving whatever problem there is.

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

Bordwell came up with a certain method of categorisation 

• 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.
First of all, audiences use their prior knowledge of the genre to foresee whether they'll enjoy it. Which is very helpful when selecting a magazine, film or TV programme.
Secondly, they are able to compare a text through its shared characteristics with another. For instance, when describing a TV show to somebody who hasn't watched it you are very likely to explain the genre then clarify what other text it is similar to.
Lastly, they use their knowledge of genre to reject a text. Many of us dislike certain genres and will therefore avoid accessing texts we assume to hold these characterised.

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

The first way is Production. Genres are paradigms media producers can follow. There are certain rules that must be followed which makes life easier for writers as they don't have to invent things from scratch and they can also look to successful examples of the genre and try to replicate what it was and can also avoid making silly mistakes that the audience don't enjoy.

Secondly, attracting an audience is key as some genres have very loyal fan-bases, Many will try out a new sit-com simply because it's a new sit-com which can help media producers minimise the potential for failure.

Lastly, Marketing texts is also key. Good examples of marketing texts are film trailers which are to attract fans of the genre and set up the expectations of the film.

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

The new gangster films share codes with the traditional ones but can also create a modern approach  so that they can stay up to date with today's society's interests

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

1) List five films the fact-sheet discusses with regards to the Superhero genre.

-The X-men Franchise

-The Avengers

-Spiderman

-Guardians of the Galaxy

-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? 
Neale says genres exist within the context of economic relations and practices so institutions are always trying to find a balance between familiarity and innovations when creating genre texts to maximise the chance of success, creating a relationship between institutions and audiences. The superhero genre has to fit in with the dominant values of the day if audiences are going to be able to relate to such a fantastical story. 

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

At each and every period of time we see the superhero offer different narratives. Facing different villains, overcomes different obstacles and has different types of relationship with the females in his life. The hero genre has to fit in with the dominant values of the day if audiences are going to be able to relate to such a story. Genres often replicate myths and fears and by mentioning them within narratives a culture is able to play out those fears and concerns. Genres offer a resolution that addresses these fears and especially when the fears are overcome . Most of the time conventional superhero texts tend to show the protagonist defeating the antagonist so this can be seen as one of the reassuring genres

Finally, 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:

General

Black Panther

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

I chose to analyse 'Black Panther' as it has its own codes and conventions that a certain Marvel fan-based audience can enjoy and relate to well. 

2) In what context did you encounter it? 

I encountered this when I watched the first trailer that was released on YouTube and there were also many promotional posters Marvel studios were producing before releasing the trailer which engaged a lot more people. Also past Marvels films also hyped up the release of Black Panther, for instance Captain America Civil war showed Black Panther on screen for the first time which made many comic book fans very excited to see how Marvel Studios would use his character in the future for their cinematic universe

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

I feel like it had a very positive influence on my interpretation as it most definitely made me a lot more excited for the film and made me want to watch it almost immediately.

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

Initially I assigned it to the Superhero and Action and adventure genre as those are the genres almost all Marvel films are assigned to so this one would most definitely be exactly the same

5) What is your experience of this genre? 

This genre is typically very exhilarating to watch and when you hear that a film will include this genre type you should already know that it will be very enjoyable to you if this is the genre you like as there isn't much room for mistakes when it comes to action. Most of the films I watch are Superhero films so I am very used to the usual codes and conventions and I am always open to watch a superhero film no matter what the critics may make of it. 

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

The basic themes of a superhero film are Justice, Sacrifice, Redemption, Vengeance, and many others.

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

This is very typical as most Superhero films will have most probably the villain getting vengeance on someone or something which the protagonist will have to stop somehow but the hero will have to go through many things and probably experience a redemption arc as I mentioned in the themes question.

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

I straight away set a very high bar for expectations as I am accustomed to watching high quality films from this genre so I will straight away going in expecting what I have already watched before and expect to come out pleased. For Black Panther as it is a Marvel Studios film and they are well known for having the best hero movies I went in expecting an excellent movie and came out happy with what I was given

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

No I haven't

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

Rotten Tomatoes stated 'When it comes to visuals, engaging action and likeable characters Black Panther stands confidently next to the best fare offered up by the Marvel Cinematic Universe'

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

A Superhero/Action film often mainly focuses on the protagonist/the main hero so that we get to see a showcase of what they can do

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

The film stretches the text by a large extent as it uses similar plot lines and character types that other Marvel films will use. And there are also multiple characters/ a wide cast which you will frequently see in Superhero/Marvel films.

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

It departs nearing the end of the film as unlike almost all films the audience starts to feel sorry for the antagonist and wants him/her to have a much better turn around in life. Most films will end with the protagonist killing the antagonist or at least getting rid of them in someway so this is a huge difference from the norm.

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

The different characters have the conventions of a TV drama as in both genres we see the main character and sometimes side character have to face something dangerous or that is having a negative impact on their life 

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

Flying futuristic ships are constantly used throughout the film

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 feel like the audience that was targeted was definitely a younger audience e.g. 15-30 as our generation enjoy action always occurring rather than something dull like maybe a documentary. This is very typical for a superhero genre as young people can sometimes look up to heroes and their actions can be influenced into doing good. Older people can also be interested though as they may be comic book lovers from when they were younger and are now getting to see their favourite characters in real life on the big screen.

2) How does the text address you?

The text addresses me as a teenager who is highly interested in action and superheroes

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

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

It assumes I am a Male as most males look up to the male protagonist saving everyone without a sweat. It may also address me as a black person as the film is set in Africa and has a mainly black cast so black people are more likely to be interested in this film as it represents them

5) What interests does it assume you have?

It most probably assumes i'm interested into the action side of things and heroes

Relationship to other texts

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

This film has multiple references to the past Marvel films.

2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?

This movie resembles other Marvel films like Iron man, Captain America, Spiderman Homecoming, Doctor Strange, Avengers Assemble and many others

3) What key features are shared by these texts?

They all share conflict and large battle sequences as they are all Superhero films

4) What major differences do you notice between them?

The characters are always unique from the others in other films and offer something new each time another one is brought in.