Manurewa High School Media Studies Department

Resource Title: Genre Study (Part 1 of 4)

Due Date: Friday 10 of May 2019

Teacher: LX

Can you identify all of the genres above?

- To understand the different codes and conventions of

various film genres- To look at the genre of sci-fi and either crime, comedy or

horror films- To complete a film genre

research presentation

About this unit...

- Film genre Research presentation

- self-evaluation on key competencies

KEY COMPETENCIES BEING ASSESSED

using creative, critical, meta-cognitive and reflective processes, drawing on personal knowldge and

intuitions

self motivation, personal goals, appropriate behaviour,

resourcefulness, sense of self, and importance of heritage

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: ASSESSMENTS TO COMPLETE

MANAGING SELF

THINKING

Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with ExcellenceDemonstrate

understanding ofcharacteristics of a media

genre.(Genre is defined and 2 characteristics are

described with examples)

Demonstrate in-depthunderstanding of

characteristics of a mediagenre.

(Genre is defined in depth and 2 characteristics are explained with detailed

examples)

Demonstrate comprehensiveunderstanding of

characteristics of a mediagenre.

(Genre is defined in depth and 2 characteristics are explained with

detailed examples and the effect of these characteristics on the genre is explored.

Strong conclusion/summary is drawn which shows comprehensive understanding of the

genre)

The Booklets

Recognise how informed choices of language, symbol or text affect people’s understanding and the ways in which they respond to

media texts

LANGUAGE, SYMBOLS & TEXTS

Booklet one - Genre, codes and conventionsBooklet two - Science Fiction & The Fifth ElementBooklet three - Research and Notes (Your choice of genre)Booklet Four - Presentation and Marking

What is Genre?Write your own definition of genre

Complete the grid by providing a film from that genre

Genre Film

Action(high energy, big budget stunts and chases)

Adventure(exotic and historical places, searches and

expeditions)

Comedy(funny or comical events, jokes and one-liners

Crime/Gangster (criminals, mobsters, theft, murder and police)

Drama (realistic characters, settings and real life

situations)

Horror(frightening scenes, a shocking finale, ghosts

and killers)

Musical(songs, dance routines/performances,

choreography)

Sci-Fi (heros, aliens, distant planets, and futuristic

technology

War(the horror and heartbreak of war, fighting and

soldiers)

Genre comes from the French word meaning “kind,” “category,” or “type”. It refers to recurring, repeating

and similar, familiar or instantly-recognizable patterns, styles, themes, templates, and generic conventions

that include one or more of the following:

• a characteristic __________________ or period (modern day, historical or fictional, urban/rural,

etc.), e.g., the frontier in Westerns, outer __________ or the future in Sci-Fi, dark and isolated

foreboding places (forests or woods, graveyards, spooky castles, abandoned buildings or structures) in

__________________ films, battlefields in War films, sports arenas or other venues in Sport films

• the recurring use of stock characters (or characterizations), e.g., the ____________ in a Crime film, the

nerd, the jock, or token minority in Comedies, aliens in Sci-Fi, stereotypical ‘heroic saviours’ or ‘good

guys, monsters/killers in horror etc.

• the use of stereotypes, props or icons, e.g., flowers and __________ dinners in Romance films, laser

blasters in Sci-Fi, killing instruments and locked doors in Horror films

• representative content and subject matter (the ____________, narrative or plot) are seen in other

films of the the genre, e.g. the chase sequence or extended fight scene and gun violence in ________

films, the ‘final girl’ survivor in Horror films, stages of ‘falling in love’ and the subsequent break-up and

reconciliation in Romances

• technical (filmic techniques), e.g., including the camera angles (use of low and high angles) and

shooting style (hand-held or stationary, POV, or ‘found footage’), the lighting (high-key, or

• _________ - _______ lighting), the style of editing (length of edits, use of jump cuts), colour schemes,

make-up and costuming (use of blood, masks, special effects), etc.

Genres provide a convenient way for scriptwriters and film-makers to produce, cast and structure their

narratives within a clear framework. Genres also offer the studios an easily ‘marketable’ product, and give

audiences satisfying, expected and _____________choices.

Film genres - origins and typesby Tim Dirks - https://www.filmsite.org/filmgenres.html

VocabularyACTION, DETECTIVE

Fill in the blanks (vocabuary can be found at the bottom of the paragraph

Genre HistoryBy the end of the silent era, many of the main genres were established: the western, the horror, comedies,

and action-adventure films. The genre of _______________-fiction films wasn’t generally popularized until

the 1950s. One problem with genre films is that they can become stale, _________________, and boring.

Many films currently do not fit into one genre classification. Many films are considered ______-_______

- they straddle several film genres. There are many examples of filmmakers using familiar elements of

traditional or ____________ genres, and putting a unique twist on them.

STAGES OF Genre There are basically five different stages of genres as they have progressed and developed through

cinematic history:

1. Early: The ________________ and purest genre form with iconography, themes, and patterns starting to

develop

2. Classical or _____________: This stage marks the growth, popularity and clarity of the genre and

establishes clear characteristics, setting a ‘benchmark’ for future films of this genre.

3. Revisionist: A reinterpretation, or ________________ of the original genre, with more complex themes

but retaining many of its original characteristics elements.

4. Parodic: The spoofing or ____________ of the genre by over-exaggeration of the characters and the

genre’s traditional themes.

5. Sub-Genre: The blending of various genre ____________ with another, as the genre evolves and

changes, i.e., a sci-fi horror, romantic comedy, etc.

Vocabulary CLASSICAL, REPETITIVE, SCIENCE, SUB-GENRES, VERY

VocabularyEARLIEST, CHALLENGE, ELEMENTS, MOCKING, TRADITIONAL

Codes and conventions

Codes are signs which create meaning, and can be divided into three categories; technical codes, symbolic codes and written codes.Technical codes are codes that are specific to a media form and do not live outside of them. For instance, our understanding of different camera shots and their connotations make sense when we look and films and photographs, but mean nothing to us outside of those forms. Technical codes in media include Camerawork, Editing, Audio and Lighting.

Symbolic codes show what is beneath the surface of what we see. There are four types of symbolic codes. They are acting, colour, mise en scene and setting. For example: A characters actions show you what a character is feeling. Or the colour green can symbolise jealousy, envy, nature and pride.

Written codes included printed language and spoken lanuage. Written codes are the formal written language used in a media product. Just like technical and symbolic codes, written codes can be used to advance a narrative, communicate information about a character or issues and themes in the media

A genre can often be recognised by a common set of distinguishing features - these are called codes and conventions.

Have you ever watched a scary movie and seen a road sign like this? Did a disaster happen soon after?

This is a HIGH / LOW angle shotCircle the correct answer

What effect does this angle have on its subject?

Often when you see this sign in films, it has two meanings.

1. The literal meaning: To warn the characters that the road is slippery.

2. The symbolic meaning: To warn the audience that there is other trouble ahead that the characters are not aware of. This could be physical (they are going to die) or emotional trouble.

We have already looked at Mise en scene and know how these elements can be used

to create meaning. What is the definition of Mise En Scene?

Mise en sceneMise en scene is a French term that

means ‘everything within the frame’. In media terms it has become to mean

the description of all the objects within the frame and how they have been

arranged. An analysis of mise en scene includes:

Lighting and colourCostume hair and make up

Setting and propsPositioning

Body language and facial expressions

ActingActors portray characters in media

products and contribute to character development, creating tension or

advancing the narrative. The actor portrays a character through:

Facial expressionBody LanguageVocal qualities

MovementBody contact

ColourColour has highly cultural and strong

connotations. When studying the use of colour in a media product the different

aspects to be looking at are:Dominant colourContrasting foils

Colour symbolism

Camera workCamerawork refers to how the camera is operated, positioned and moved for specific effects. Aspects of camerawork include:PositioningMovementFramingExposureLens choice

EditingEditing is the process of choosing, manipulating and arranging images and sound. Editing is generally done for four different reasons:Graphic editsRhythmic editsSpacial editsTemporal edits

AudioAudio is the expressive or naturalistic use of sound. Audio can be diegetic or non diegetic. The three aspects of audio are:DialogueSound effectsMusic

LightingLighting is the manipulation of natural or artificial light to selectively highlight specific elements of the scene. Elements of lighting include:QualityDirectionSourceColour

SettingSetting is the time and place of the

film. When discussing setting, you can describe the setting of the whole story

or just a specific scene. A setting can be as big as the outback or space, or

as small as a specific room. Setting can even be a created atmosphere or frame

of mind.

Symbolic codesTechnical codes

What do the following words mean? Use your phone to find out

Diegetic

Connotations

Dominant

conventions are things that are used repeatedly in films from a certain genre so the audience starts to EXPECT them when they watch these films. Have you ever seen a film where you could predict what was going to happen next? That probably means you are recognising its conventions.

Usually a genre establishes its conventions at the historical beginning of the genre. As they develop, new conventions get added, taken away, changed, and freshened up.

When conventions stop evolving - people get bored, and the genre will move in and out of fashion. If conventions are over-used without imagination they become boring or silly clichés. Parodies like Scary Movie base their humour on the audience recognising the clichés.

HORROR GEnREComplete the grid with as much detail as possible. You need to add information from your own knowledge as well as information found on google and schoology

Character Plot & themes Setting & sound Costume & props Key films & directors

(Who are the typical main characters? Minor

characters?)

(What is a typical storyline?)

(Where are these stories often set? Sound

track? Music?)

(Describe the typical costumes and props)

(as many as you can provide)

Include a director famous for that genre.

Action GEnREComplete the grids with as much detail as possible. You need to add information from your own knowledge as well as information found on google and schoology

Character Plot & themes Setting & sound Costume & props Key films & directors

(Who are the typical main characters? Minor

characters?)

(What is a typical storyline?)

(Where are these stories often set? Sound

track? Music?)

(Describe the typical costumes and props)

(as many as you can provide)

Include a director famous for that genre.

Science Fiction GEnREComplete the grids with as much detail as possible. You need to add information from your own knowledge as well as information found on google and schoology

Character Plot & themes Setting & sound Costume & props Key films & directors

(Who are the typical main characters? Minor

characters?)

(What is a typical storyline?)

(Where are these stories often set? Sound

track? Music?)

(Describe the typical costumes and props)

(as many as you can provide)

Include a director famous for that genre.

Comedy GEnREComplete the grids with as much detail as possible. You need to add information from your own knowledge as well as information found on google and schoology

Character Plot & themes Setting & sound Costume & props Key films & directors

(Who are the typical main characters? Minor

characters?)

(What is a typical storyline?)

(Where are these stories often set? Sound

track? Music?)

(Describe the typical costumes and props)

(as many as you can provide)

Include a director famous for that genre.

formative Check Point 1Have you read and completed every page? Double check. Are you sure? Are you really really sure? Only when you are really truly absolutely sure that you have finished come and see me... Otherwise you will be sent back to finish it.

Teacher comments

Signed by _____________________

Signed by Miss Luxton

(Your name here)

Date: