Media Studies – Road Movie Genre

Year 12 LPHS

Exam Question 1(b)

In a written response of approximately 400 words discuss (describe/explain/analyse), how TWO media texts demonstrate ONE significant code/convention associated with the media genre.

Exam Question 1(b)

So you will need to choose for part 1 (b) ONE code/conventionandAt least TWO moviesTo write your essay answer about.

Codes/Conventions Associated with Road MoviesThe following codes/conventions are often

associated with the road movie genre: Costume Character types Narrative Structure TransportChoose one of the codes conventions above to

study for.

Movies/Dates/DirectorsChoose from at least two from the following: Easy Rider (1969) Dennis Hopper Goodbye Pork Pie (1981)Geoff Murphy Thelma and Louise (1991) Ridley Scott The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the

Desert (1994) Stephan Elliot O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) Joel Coen Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Jonathan Dayton

and Valerie Faris.

Writing the Essay Answer 1 (b) First you need to describe the

code/convention as it relates to the road movie genre –

e.g. transport – what part does transport play in road movies? How does transport help us to understand the characters, and in turn better help us understand the movie? What does it tell us about the characters?

Writing the Essay Answer 1(b) Then you need to provide examples of your

chosen code/convention in the movies you choose to write about.

e.g. costume in Thelma and Louise. What are Thelma and Louise wearing, and what does it say about them? How do their costumes change throughout the movie? What does this signify? How does this help the audience to understand the movie? How does their costume relate to the societal norms of the era?

So to summarise…

Choose your one

code/convention

Choose your movies – At least two

Describe how the

code/conventionyou have chosen

relates to the road

movie genre

Provide examples

of how the codes

and conventionsare depicted

in your 2 road movies

Wrap up your

arguments with

a conclusion – don’t add

any newmaterial at this point

Question 1(c)In a written response of approximately 400 words, discuss (describe, explain, analyse), ONE significant development in the media genre.In your response you should discuss ALL of the following:

HOW and WHY the development occurred The significance of the development for the media

genre AND/OR its audience

Question 1(c)

Support your response with specific examples form at least TWO media texts.

You may use evidence from the same texts that you used for your answer to part (b)

Exam Question 1 (c)

For part (c) you will need to write about:

ONE development andat least TWO movies

Developments in the Road Movie Genre

You may like to choose from the following developments

Technological developments Thematic developments e.g. the change in

the story line Characterisation developments e.g from the

‘buddy’ duo seen in Easy Rider to the family in Little Miss Sunshine

The changing role of women

Writing the answer Ensure you talk about your films in

chronological order Use the earliest film example in your answer

possible e.g. Easy Rider this will enable you to show the most development over time.

Show how changing social values have influenced the changes seen in the genre, and how certain movies have influenced later films.

So to summarise…

Chooseone

Development e.gThe role of Women, or

TechnologicalDevelopments

or thematic developments

Choose your movies – At least two

Describe the Movies in

Chronologicalorder

Show how Changing

Social valuesHave influenced

The moviesAnd how moviesHave influenced

Later films

Wrap up your

arguments with

a conclusion – don’t add

any newmaterial at this point