7. Genre blog tasks

 

                              

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

 They use the example of star trek vs star wars which are both sci fi movies however both are set in vey different worlds: star wars = dangerous world and no peace whereas star trek = Utopia. Therefore both are set in the future but they present  the future in different ways.

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

They use the example of soap operas which usually follow the narrative of a bullying boss that the main character has to deal with at work, the boss is usually presented as a villain who is foolish and mocked and the main character is the victim who eventually stands up to their boss.

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

Period/country, director/star, Technical process, Style, series, audience


4) List three ways genre is used by audiences

They use their prior knowledge of a genre to decide whether or not they want to watch something because they know it will be similar, use their knowledge of genre to stay away from certain texts/films, gives the readers expectations they expect to be fulfilled by the text. 


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

Helps them attract an audience because many genres have a loyal fan base

An understanding of genre is useful for producers as it makes the process of promoting their work much simpler knowing they don't have to explain their work in as much detail, knowing that people will understand either way.

Creates a template for producers to follow and they wont have to come up with entirely new ideas.

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

X men Superman Batman The avengers Spiderman Guardians of the galaxy

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

World event = WW2 as in superman we see as he needs to stop European issues which were interrupting the peace in the US which is like the issue with WW2 in real life where the US saw it as an issue for Europe to deal with until it became a problem for them.

In X men the mutants are used to represent the real life problem with racism where people are treated differently for how they look which is shown by how people mistreat the mutants and don't see them as a part of society. This is an example of movies representing real life issues.

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

Comic books established the codes for the superhero genre. In the 1950s these codes are being made into movies which recreated the comics. Finally, many superhero parody movies were made such as Batman(1966) which deliberately made the genre funnier and made fun of some of the classic codes.

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

I chose the film 'Lucy' as I believe its a unique concept: The power of the mind which makes the movie interesting to watch as it explores the idea of what would happen to a person if they had the power to be anything and do anything they pleased.
2) To what genre did you initially assign the text?

Action

3) What is your experience of this genre?

Ive always enjoyed the action genre as I believe it's an exciting genre which can be used in many different ways and works well when mixed with any other genre.
4) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?

I believe the movie is concerned with the themes of power and control as we see how power impacts the main character and how she uses it after being used and being treated badly. It also explores the idea of human potential and how humans could potentially be using only part of heir brain and their brains are in fact more powerful.

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

I believe its quite an interesting take on the genres its been labeled as, I believe its a deconstruction of the genres as it pushes the basic expectations.
6) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?

I expect them to follow the story of a protagonist who goes through an interesting/challenging journey which is done well in the movie.
7) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where - try imdb.com if unsure)?

Action Sci-fi Thriller 
8) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?

I recognise the conflict which is common in action movies, the use of advanced technology which is used in sci-fi and I also see high speed chases and crime which are common in thrillers.
9) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?

It stretches the conventions by exploring the science of the human brain

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

It departs from the conventions during scenes where we see her brain becoming more powerful as the narrative focuses more on her development rather than using action all the way throughout to push the story along.
11) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?

12) What familiar motifs or images are used?
Chaos vs peace : In some scenes we see as Lucy's brain develops she struggles to control it which causes chaos however as she gains more control it becomes more peaceful

We also see transformation which is familiar as it symbolises development and improvement 

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 believe its aimed at an older audience as it contains philosophical concepts which are less likely to be of interest to younger people who'd rather see action than learn about the mind.
2) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?

There could be an assumption that the person watching is a woman as we see the main character who is a woman move from a place in life where she was undervalued and mistreated to becoming extremely powerful. It could also assume that the person watching is lower class as the main character is seen to be selling drugs in order to make money which shows the struggles of not having money and what some people have to do to get money.
3) What interests does it assume you have?
It assumes that the audience is interested in science and the function of the brain.
Relationship to other texts
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. 

In the movie it references scientists and scientific theories

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

I believe it resembles the movie 'the matrix' quite well as it shares the same idea of a protagonist who transforms and gains knowledge that causes them to develop mentally.
3) What key features are shared by these texts?

A protagonist that goes through a transformation/change in life

Both explore the concepts of reality and control 
4) What major differences do you notice between them?

The movie Lucy focuses on the power of the brain whereas the movie the matrix focuses on the idea of a simulated reality.