Cultural Industries: blog task
Go to our Media Factsheet archive on the Media Shared drive and open Factsheet 168: David Hesmondhalgh’s ‘The Cultural Industries’. Our Media Factsheet archive is on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\A Level\Media Factsheets
Read the Factsheet and complete the following questions/tasks:
1) What does the term 'Cultural Industries' actually refer to?
The term ‘cultural industry’ refers to the creation, production, and distribution of products of a cultural or artistic nature.- Factsheet
2) What does Hesmondhalgh identify regarding the societies in which the cultural industries are highly profitable?
Hesmondhalgh points out that societies with profitable cultural industries (e.g. USA, UK) tend to be dominated by large companies, have minimal government regulation and significant inequality between rich and poor.
3) Why do some media products offer ideologies that challenge capitalism or inequalities in society?
They offer these ideologies to seem less biased and show that they are diverse and appeal to the mass.
4) Look at page 2 of the factsheet. What are the problems that Hesmondhalgh identifies with regards to the cultural industries?
Risky business
Creativity versus commerce
High production costs and low reproduction costs
Semi-public goods; the need to create scarcity
5) Why are so many cultural industries a 'risky business' for the companies involved?
Cultural industries can be highly profitable in spite of high levels of risk, but it may be difficult to achieve high levels of profit for independent or individual companies. This is because cultural industry company is reliant on other cultural industry companies to make audiences aware of the existence of a new product or of the uses and pleasure that they might get from experiencing the product.
6) What is your opinion on the creativity v commerce debate? Should the media be all about profit or are media products a form of artistic expression that play an important role in society?
Media should be made out of creativity as the product you are creating will ultimately be better as you have put your unique thoughts and ideas which should gain a better profit for its unique and because of how genuine it is.
7) How do cultural industry companies minimise their risks and maximise their profits? (Clue: your work on Industries - Ownership and control will help here)
promote your media product as you will increase its exposure meaning more people will see it giving you a higher chance of increasing sales.
-vertical integration
-horizontal integration
-diversification
8) Do you agree that the way the cultural industries operate reflects the inequalities and injustices of wider society? Should the content creators, the creative minds behind media products, be better rewarded for their work?
There is a lot of inequality and people should be better rewarded for their work as a lot of time and money goes into creating content.
9) Listen and read the transcript to the opening 9 minutes of the Freakonomics podcast - No Hollywood Ending for the Visual-Effects Industry. Why has the visual effects industry suffered despite the huge budgets for most Hollywood movies?
Financial and political reasons are why the visual effects industry is suffering.
10) What is commodification?
The action or process of treating something like a mere commodity.
11) Do you agree with the argument that while there are a huge number of media texts created, they fail to reflect the diversity of people or opinion in wider society?
I disagree, as there are plenty of books about diversity and the wider society however they may simply have failed to get the recognition they deserve.
12) How does Hesmondhalgh suggest the cultural industries have changed? Identify the three most significant developments and explain why you think they are the most important.
cultural industries have increasingly become globalised (as a result of digital media, new technologies and interconnectivity. As such, there is a greater exchange of cultural goods and services across countries and different cultures.
Thursday, December 13, 2018
Friday, December 7, 2018
MIGRAIN: Industries - Ownership and control
Industries: Ownership and control blog task
Create a new blogpost called 'Industries: Ownership and control' and complete the following tasks:
1) Type up your research notes from the lesson - what did you find out about your allocated media conglomerate? Selection of companies: Alphabet, The Walt Disney Company, Comcast, 21st Century Fox, Facebook, Viacom, News Corp, Time Warner. If you were absent or don't have the notes, research any of the companies above and find examples of all the terminology outlined in the notes at the start of this blogpost.
2) Do you agree that governments should prevent media conglomerates from becoming too dominant? Write an argument that looks at both sides of this debate.
Media Magazine 52 has a good feature on the changing relationship between audiences and institutions in the digital age. Go to our Media Magazine archive, click on MM52 and scroll to page 9 to read the article 'Two Key Concepts: The Relationship Between Audience and Institution'.
3) Briefly describe the production, promotion and distribution process for media companies.
promotion: advertises according to the target audience
distribution: Getting content to the audience
4) What are the different funding models for media institutions?
Programme sponsorships
Sales of programmes to other broadcasters
5) The article gives a lot of examples of major media brands and companies. Choose three examples from the article and summarise what the writer is saying about each of them.
Disney is a successful family-friendly conglomerate and is well known for its animation and has a lot of brand recognition with its logos.
Google has a lot of influence and has changed the way we do things such as listen to music, access media etc.
6) What examples are provided of the new business models media companies have had to adopt due to changes in technology and distribution?
Advertisers: Advertisers find it harder to target audiences via traditional media (TV and magazines, for example) and alternative strategies are employed, for instance, using targeted marketing based on social media data-mining (see Nick Lacey’s article in this issue), or sponsoring YouTube stars to include their products in their lifestyle blogs.
7) Re-read the section on 'The Future'. What examples are discussed of technology companies becoming major media institutions?
-amazon
-yahoo
8) Do you agree with the view that traditional media institutions are struggling to survive?
9) How might diversification or vertical integration help companies to survive and thrive in a rapidly changing media landscape?
10) How do YOU see the relationship between audience and institution in the future? Will audiences gain increasing power or will the major global media conglomerates maintain their control?
I believe that the audiences will have the increase in power as at the end of the day, the media conglomerates must always need to meet the audiences needs therefore they will be providing for the audience.
Tuesday, November 27, 2018
Audience theory 2: Notes
Audience theory 2: blog task
1) Social learning theory has been criticised for simplifying the causes of violence in society. Do you think the media is responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence?
I think the media plays a part in influencing anti-social behaviour as in our generation younger people are exposed to the media a lot more as there are a lot more devices to be exposed to the media to than 20 years ago. However, it is not the primary as there are many other factors which can influence them such as parental guidance, cousins, friends.
2) How is social learning theory relevant in the digital age? Are young people now learning behaviour from social media and the internet? Give examples.
Social learning theory is relevant because easily influenced people such as primary school children or even teenagers will find role-models on the internet such as YouTubers who have big followings, leading them to replicate their behaviours or mannerisms due to the infatuation of their fame. An example of this may be big YouTubers such as Jake Paul, Ksi, Zoella etc.
3) Research five examples of moral panic from the last 50 years. To what extent was the media responsible for these moral panics? Was the concern in society justified? How have things changed as a result of these moral panics?
Isis- In 2014 a series of be-headings of influential people were done by the organisation of Isis. The media was partly responsible as they were the people exposing everyone to the organisation however the horrific be-headings would still have made an impact regardless of whoever released videos, there is higher security in London due to Isis and its attacks.
ebola- This was a widespread disease prominent in Africa. The media was mostly responsible for the panic caused as there was a lot of unnecessary coverage because of the fact that the chances of getting Ebola in the UK were very low. Not much has changed however there was treatment made for Ebola.
Video-game violence- At one point in time the media believed that violent video was influencing younger people to partake in anti-social behaviour. The media was mostly responsible as they had heavy coverage of it, however, there were a few real-life cases where violent video games showed influence. Nothing has really changed since the moral panic and it may be argued that the idea of video games being influential has greatly deflated.
London knife crime- Recently, there has been a ridiculous rise in knife crime in London, the media has made this very known as many stories of numerous stabbings this year have been put out. This concern is very justified as the knife crime rates have been recorded at an all time high. The police have increased they're stop and searches.
Donald Trump becomes president- In 2017 Donald Trump became the president of the united states which caused a lot of people to be outraged, some media outlets were giving positive views on Trump, however, a lot of social media influencers were enraged due to his racist remarks and vulgar comments on certain topics. Not much has changed as a result.
4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on technopanics. What examples are given of techno-panics that create fear in society?
digital privacy, child safety, cyber-security.
5) How does the author suggest that technopanics should be addressed - rather than through government regulation?
Technopanics should be addressed by ongoing societal learning, experimentation, resiliency, and coping strategies rather than by regulation.
6) Do you think the internet should be regulated? Should the government try and control what we can access online?
I think that the internet should not be regulated as I see the internet as a way to explore things we are unaware of as a means to educate ourselves. Without a doubt illegal things should be regulated but that is the only aspect I believe should be touched upon. This is because if our goal is to protect younger people then there is no point in regulating the internet since there is already parental control options available which will regulate what you can see to a certain extent.
7) Apply Gerbner's cultivation theory to new and digital media. Is the internet creating a fearful population? Are we becoming desensitised to online threats, trolling and abuse?
Gerbner's theory states that high frequency viewers of television are more susceptible to media messages and the belief that they are real and valid. The internet is creating a more fearful population as there are always stories about knife crime or terrorism which will automatically hypnotise the high frequency viewers as they are constantly exposed to the media. We are becoming desensitised as trolling and threats have become a normal part of the internet to the point where its simply become a routine for people to encounter.
8) Is heavy internet use something we should be worried about in society? How would you define 'heavy internet use'?
we should be very weary of heavy internet use as it can stop people from prospering in life due to the obsessment with the internet and doing research or watching you-tube. I believe that heavy internet use would be defined as someone who uses the internet for extreme periods of time daily such as 6-7 hours a day.
1) Social learning theory has been criticised for simplifying the causes of violence in society. Do you think the media is responsible for anti-social behaviour and violence?
I think the media plays a part in influencing anti-social behaviour as in our generation younger people are exposed to the media a lot more as there are a lot more devices to be exposed to the media to than 20 years ago. However, it is not the primary as there are many other factors which can influence them such as parental guidance, cousins, friends.
2) How is social learning theory relevant in the digital age? Are young people now learning behaviour from social media and the internet? Give examples.
Social learning theory is relevant because easily influenced people such as primary school children or even teenagers will find role-models on the internet such as YouTubers who have big followings, leading them to replicate their behaviours or mannerisms due to the infatuation of their fame. An example of this may be big YouTubers such as Jake Paul, Ksi, Zoella etc.
3) Research five examples of moral panic from the last 50 years. To what extent was the media responsible for these moral panics? Was the concern in society justified? How have things changed as a result of these moral panics?
Isis- In 2014 a series of be-headings of influential people were done by the organisation of Isis. The media was partly responsible as they were the people exposing everyone to the organisation however the horrific be-headings would still have made an impact regardless of whoever released videos, there is higher security in London due to Isis and its attacks.
ebola- This was a widespread disease prominent in Africa. The media was mostly responsible for the panic caused as there was a lot of unnecessary coverage because of the fact that the chances of getting Ebola in the UK were very low. Not much has changed however there was treatment made for Ebola.
Video-game violence- At one point in time the media believed that violent video was influencing younger people to partake in anti-social behaviour. The media was mostly responsible as they had heavy coverage of it, however, there were a few real-life cases where violent video games showed influence. Nothing has really changed since the moral panic and it may be argued that the idea of video games being influential has greatly deflated.
London knife crime- Recently, there has been a ridiculous rise in knife crime in London, the media has made this very known as many stories of numerous stabbings this year have been put out. This concern is very justified as the knife crime rates have been recorded at an all time high. The police have increased they're stop and searches.
Donald Trump becomes president- In 2017 Donald Trump became the president of the united states which caused a lot of people to be outraged, some media outlets were giving positive views on Trump, however, a lot of social media influencers were enraged due to his racist remarks and vulgar comments on certain topics. Not much has changed as a result.
4) Read this introduction to an academic paper on technopanics. What examples are given of techno-panics that create fear in society?
digital privacy, child safety, cyber-security.
5) How does the author suggest that technopanics should be addressed - rather than through government regulation?
Technopanics should be addressed by ongoing societal learning, experimentation, resiliency, and coping strategies rather than by regulation.
6) Do you think the internet should be regulated? Should the government try and control what we can access online?
I think that the internet should not be regulated as I see the internet as a way to explore things we are unaware of as a means to educate ourselves. Without a doubt illegal things should be regulated but that is the only aspect I believe should be touched upon. This is because if our goal is to protect younger people then there is no point in regulating the internet since there is already parental control options available which will regulate what you can see to a certain extent.
7) Apply Gerbner's cultivation theory to new and digital media. Is the internet creating a fearful population? Are we becoming desensitised to online threats, trolling and abuse?
Gerbner's theory states that high frequency viewers of television are more susceptible to media messages and the belief that they are real and valid. The internet is creating a more fearful population as there are always stories about knife crime or terrorism which will automatically hypnotise the high frequency viewers as they are constantly exposed to the media. We are becoming desensitised as trolling and threats have become a normal part of the internet to the point where its simply become a routine for people to encounter.
8) Is heavy internet use something we should be worried about in society? How would you define 'heavy internet use'?
we should be very weary of heavy internet use as it can stop people from prospering in life due to the obsessment with the internet and doing research or watching you-tube. I believe that heavy internet use would be defined as someone who uses the internet for extreme periods of time daily such as 6-7 hours a day.
Friday, November 9, 2018
Audience theory 1: blog tasks
1) Read this Mail Online article about the effects of videogames. How does this article link to the hypodermic needle model?
It shows that younger people can be easily influenced by violent video games. Causing them to gain violent traits in their behaviours. Essentially, this means that younger people will easily be manipulated by anything that they see.
2) How does coverage of the Talk Talk hacking case (see Daily Mail front page below) link to the hypodermic needle model? Why might someone criticise this front page?
It links to the hypodermic needle model as the boy is said to be a "violent video game hacker" it also says he; "rarely leaves his bedroom" which automatically may reveal that the violent video games may have had some sort of impact on his behaviour. This page may be criticised as the full story may not have been shown, the boy may have had other problems in his life which impacted him negatively.
3) How this this Telegraph feature on Britain's most popular tweeters fit the two-step flow model? Do you think these accounts genuinely have an influence over their audience?
4) Read this BBC profile of Jamal Edwards. How does Jamal Edwards link to the two-step flow model?
Jamal fit the two step flow model as his story is very intriguing of how he was able to become a multi millionaire. Many people will look up to him as through gaining a large amount of money he may also have gained a big following. Furthermore, Jamal owns a music video channel which may also be appealing to a younger audience further increasing his following.
1) For each of the four categories, write about one media text that fits that particular audience use or pleasure. Make sure you explain WHY it fits the category and use images or clips to illustrate your points.
Dependency theory
1) Do you agree that audiences have become dependent on the media? What evidence or examples can you provide to support your view?
I do believe audiences have become dependent on media as everyone is very exposed to the media in general as technology has made it so that we can see the media everywhere
.2) How has the growth of new and digital technology in the last 15 years changed people's dependency on the media? Is this a new problem?
Digital technology has made media more accessible as we can literally see it everywhere from google to twitter to Instagram meaning we are a lot more exposed to it. This may be an issue as the more exposed we are to the media the more we can be influenced by what we see.
3) Reflecting on your own media use, how does your media consumption impact on your emotions? Does the media have an overall positive or negative impact on your health and well-being? Why?
It shows that younger people can be easily influenced by violent video games. Causing them to gain violent traits in their behaviours. Essentially, this means that younger people will easily be manipulated by anything that they see.
2) How does coverage of the Talk Talk hacking case (see Daily Mail front page below) link to the hypodermic needle model? Why might someone criticise this front page?
It links to the hypodermic needle model as the boy is said to be a "violent video game hacker" it also says he; "rarely leaves his bedroom" which automatically may reveal that the violent video games may have had some sort of impact on his behaviour. This page may be criticised as the full story may not have been shown, the boy may have had other problems in his life which impacted him negatively.
Two-step flow model
1) Summarise the two-step flow model. In your opinion, is the two-step flow theory still relevant today?
The two-step flow model essentially means that people are influenced by other people with who have high popularity, the social aspects are more relevant here than media texts.
2) How does this YouTube blogger fit into the two-step flow model?
This you-tuber fits because he has a large number of subscribers on you-tube this essentially means that he has a very large following who enjoy watching his videos. So ultimately, he has a lot of loyal followers who he can influence to follow a certain trend or idea. He may be considered a social leader.
These tweeters all fit into the two step flow model as they all have a large number of followers ranging from eight-million followers to thirty-million followers. Naturally, people with these amount of followers are bound to have influence as millions of fans will be looking up to these tweeters due to the large amount of exposure.
4) Read this BBC profile of Jamal Edwards. How does Jamal Edwards link to the two-step flow model?
Jamal fit the two step flow model as his story is very intriguing of how he was able to become a multi millionaire. Many people will look up to him as through gaining a large amount of money he may also have gained a big following. Furthermore, Jamal owns a music video channel which may also be appealing to a younger audience further increasing his following.
Uses and Gratifications theory
1) For each of the four categories, write about one media text that fits that particular audience use or pleasure. Make sure you explain WHY it fits the category and use images or clips to illustrate your points.
Diversion:
Star Wars would fit diversion as it is set on different planets and space containing aliens, monsters and super-human powers.
Star Wars would fit diversion as it is set on different planets and space containing aliens, monsters and super-human powers.
Personal Relationships:
13 reasons why is a good series to class as personal relationships as the show is set in high-school which a lot of younger people in high-school may relate to.
13 reasons why is a good series to class as personal relationships as the show is set in high-school which a lot of younger people in high-school may relate to.
Personal Identity:
Top boy is a show that has 3-4 characters that we dearly care for, the show constantly puts these characters in danger making us feel more emotionally connected to them.
Surveillance:
The weather program would be classed as surveillance as we are being informed of information happening in the real world.
1) Do you agree that audiences have become dependent on the media? What evidence or examples can you provide to support your view?
I do believe audiences have become dependent on media as everyone is very exposed to the media in general as technology has made it so that we can see the media everywhere
.2) How has the growth of new and digital technology in the last 15 years changed people's dependency on the media? Is this a new problem?
Digital technology has made media more accessible as we can literally see it everywhere from google to twitter to Instagram meaning we are a lot more exposed to it. This may be an issue as the more exposed we are to the media the more we can be influenced by what we see.
3) Reflecting on your own media use, how does your media consumption impact on your emotions? Does the media have an overall positive or negative impact on your health and well-being? Why?
The media does not have much impact on my emotions depending on the topic. If I feel passionately about a certain subject I may feel impacted emotionally in some way. However, overall the media has mostly a negative effect on my emotions as many of the things said by the media are false. But all in all I tend not to be interested in most media.
Friday, November 2, 2018
MIGRAIN: October assessment - learner response
feedback
WWW: You show ability to closely analyse Ill Manors poster.
EBI: Your main issue is a lack of sophistication in expression and some sloppy literacy. You are an A-level student and you must write in a formal way.
You must also use a great deal more detail from the products to analyse as you are too general/vague. Theory application
Q1:
WWW: You show ability to closely analyse Ill Manors poster.
EBI: Your main issue is a lack of sophistication in expression and some sloppy literacy. You are an A-level student and you must write in a formal way.
You must also use a great deal more detail from the products to analyse as you are too general/vague. Theory application
Q1:
- I could have included Propp’s character types: urban hero established through costume & props.
Q2:
- Differences: Ill Manors allows us to ‘get to know’ the character while Nike is deliberately ambiguous; both use the sky background to create meaning but in very different ways(looming clouds v rising sun).
Monday, October 29, 2018
NARRATIVE
1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium.
Black Panther uses the narrative structure of equilibrium as we see peace in the village of Wakanda but this soon ends when a villain challenges the reign of Black Panther over Wakanda. Black Panther is beaten but soon makes a return in an all-out war to regain control. He successfully regains control of Wakanda but has to deal with the aftermath of the war
2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.
We see the 4 boys playing a game of dungeons and dragons which seems quite normal for boys they're age but this all changes when the game ends and they leave to go to there own households. As they leave the boys split up and one of them named Will encounters something paranormal ultimately making him go missing. The setting is clearly 1980s as technology was established to not be a big thing in this series. The setting was in the suburbs of America.
3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.
Batman
Superman
James Bond
4) Give an example of a binary opposition.
Superhero movies tend to usually have binary opposition with the Hero and villain.
5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?
The cop catching the criminal is used to show how you must conform to the law or there will be consequences.
6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?
They offer gratifications because enigma and action codes build up tension making the audience feel on edge as they constantly want to know what happens to certain characters. Also, it makes them assume different things making the movie more ambiguous and interesting for the audience as many outcomes are possible.
7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:
The factsheet suggests that adverts use narratives of a certain issue someone may have and how they're product can overcome the problem.
Black Panther uses the narrative structure of equilibrium as we see peace in the village of Wakanda but this soon ends when a villain challenges the reign of Black Panther over Wakanda. Black Panther is beaten but soon makes a return in an all-out war to regain control. He successfully regains control of Wakanda but has to deal with the aftermath of the war
2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.
We see the 4 boys playing a game of dungeons and dragons which seems quite normal for boys they're age but this all changes when the game ends and they leave to go to there own households. As they leave the boys split up and one of them named Will encounters something paranormal ultimately making him go missing. The setting is clearly 1980s as technology was established to not be a big thing in this series. The setting was in the suburbs of America.
3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.
Batman
Superman
James Bond
4) Give an example of a binary opposition.
Superhero movies tend to usually have binary opposition with the Hero and villain.
5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?
The cop catching the criminal is used to show how you must conform to the law or there will be consequences.
6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?
They offer gratifications because enigma and action codes build up tension making the audience feel on edge as they constantly want to know what happens to certain characters. Also, it makes them assume different things making the movie more ambiguous and interesting for the audience as many outcomes are possible.
7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:
- Episodic narrative (the series) A narrative which is solved within one episode.
- Overarching narrative (the serial) A narrative spanning over the whole series.
- Mixed narrative Combination of overarching narrative and Episodic.
- Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative) Multiple narratives going on inside the main narrative
The factsheet suggests that adverts use narratives of a certain issue someone may have and how they're product can overcome the problem.
Sunday, October 28, 2018
GENRE
1) What example is provided of why visual iconography is so important?
Visual iconography is extremely important as they are the codes and conventions which can help us recognise different types of genres. Sci-fi was used as an example as star wars and stark trek shares the same conventions however they are two different franchises.
Visual and aural iconography, also a story line can also tell you what genre a film is by looking at what happens in the film.
• 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.
They are able to compare a text through its shared characteristics with another.
They also use their knowledge of a genre to reject a text.
6) List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.
Production
Genres are paradigms or templates media producers can follow.
Attracting an Audience
Some 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.
Marketing Texts
Good examples of this are film trailers which 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 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 gangster theme has been used as an example of how genre evolves, New gangster films share codes with the traditional ones but create more modern approaches to the subject matter to stay up to date with modern audience’s interests and changes in culture.
One code of the traditional gangster movie was to have a Tommy Gun hidden in a violin case
The first time an audience member saw this is would be a surprise,after that it would be pleasurable when the expectation of a gun being hidden this way was met. Eventually, the idea of using the violin case would be seen as unimaginative Рit had become a clich̩ All
Read Media Factsheet 126 - Superheroes: A Genre Case Study and answer the following questions
1) List five films the factsheet discusses with regards to the Superhero genre.
X-Men franchise
Superman
Watchmen
Kick-Ass
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?
X-Men(2000)
Batman Forever(1995)
superman(1978)
spiderman 3(2007)
3) How can Schatz's theory of genre cycles be applied to the Superhero genre?
innovation: visual codes were established via comic books.
People could recognize the iconography of a superhero film when characters from comic books were used in superhero movies
classical: In the 1950s the superhero genre was relevant and the codes and conventions
were easily identified.
parody: Batman (1966) was intentionally funny and camp and
wouldn’t let its audience take the superhero too seriously.
Deconstruction: Superman (1978) started a new cycle in the superhero genre
with technology leading the innovation with special effects creating more realistic visual ‘miracles’.
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:
Blow(2001)
General
1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?
I chose the film Blow because it was actually based on a true story and
I was very drawn to the biographical aspects of the film, making it almost seem like a crime documentary, it also is very realistic meaning a small minority could relate to certain aspects of the film.
2) In what context did you encounter it?
I encountered this film when I finished watching the movie "Good fellas" because
after watching Goodfellas I searched the internet for movies similar to it
which made me come across Blow.
3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?
It made me think it had similarities to many neo-noir crime films which it did.
4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?
Crime
5) What is your experience of this genre?
I genuinely enjoy crime films a lot but I do not like the overly cliched crime
films as they all seem similar making the experience boring.
6) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?
Crime, drug dealing, criminal empires, Effects of money
7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?
It has a lot of typical conventions of a crime movie, however, the way the film
is told is a lot different as usually in a crime film we don't always get a
realistic movie. What I mean by this is that in many crime films we usually
see the character subvert from crime to proceed with life in a positive way,
whereas blow shows us the harsh realities and consequences of the criminal
lifestyle. Furthermore, it is based on a true story.
8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?
I usually expect a lot of killing, drugs and sex.
9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)
A generic label is that there is generally a lot of sex in crime films.
10) What generic labels have others given the same text?
People may think of blow to be the generic drug dealer "rising up the ranks"
of the criminal underworld movie.
11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognise in the text?
Drug-dealing to make money character, the main character meets crime boss and builds
a criminal relationship, The protagonist becomes richer the more he delves into the
criminal underworld.
12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?
Blow does stretch the conventions because of the nihilistic ending, we see the
harsh realities of living a life of crime.
13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?
In Blow, it could be argued that the protagonist reaches his high point during
the beginning part of the movie and we see him go down-hill from there which is
uncommon in a crime film.
14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?
We see a relationship between the protagonist and his wife and daughter
and how money affects people in the film, these conventions are generally
associated with drama films.
15) What familiar motifs or images are used?
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 this text was aimed at people in the ages between 18-26, with a mixed racial demographics
2) How does the text address you?
The text does not really address me as I have not been through what the characters
in this film have been through.
3) What sort of person does it assume you are?
It assumes you are a person who may be facing issues such as being in the
middle of a normal life and a life of doing illegal activities making you
re-evaluate your decisions in life.
4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?
lower/working class, males, 18-25, mixed ethnicity.
5) What interests does it assume you have?
Smoking weed, partying and doing drugs.
Relationship to other texts
1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?
The movie gets inspiration from a real life story and person named
George Jung who was an American drug trafficker and smuggler.
2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?
Goodfellas, both texts are based on a true story with the same
criminal aspects.
3) What key features are shared by these texts?
Drug trade, Protagonist goes from being wealthy to having nothing,
both show effects of money and living a criminal life.
4) What major differences do you notice between them?
The major difference was that Good-fellas had a larger focus on the mafia and
gangster theme, whereas Blow showed more involvement with the cartel.
Visual iconography is extremely important as they are the codes and conventions which can help us recognise different types of genres. Sci-fi was used as an example as star wars and stark trek shares the same conventions however they are two different franchises.
2) What examples are provided of the importance of narrative in identifying genre?
3) What is the difference between character representation in action movies and disaster movies?
The main difference is that in action movies the main character/hero is usually seen approaching a problem or conflict by themselves. Whereas in disaster movies the main character approaches an issue with a group of people who have also been affected by the same thing.
The main difference is that in action movies the main character/hero is usually seen approaching a problem or conflict by themselves. Whereas in disaster movies the main character approaches an issue with a group of people who have also been affected by the same thing.
4) What are the different ways films can be categorised according to Bordwell?
• 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.
They use their prior knowledge of the genre to anticipate whether or not they are likely to enjoy a text.
6) List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.
Genres are paradigms or templates media producers can follow.
Some 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.
Good examples of this are film trailers which 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 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 first time an audience member saw this is would be a surprise,after that it would be pleasurable when the expectation of a gun being hidden this way was met. Eventually, the idea of using the violin case would be seen as unimaginative Рit had become a clich̩ All
Read Media Factsheet 126 - Superheroes: A Genre Case Study and answer the following questions
1) List five films the factsheet discusses with regards to the Superhero genre.
X-Men franchise
Superman
Watchmen
Kick-Ass
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?
X-Men(2000)
Batman Forever(1995)
superman(1978)
spiderman 3(2007)
3) How can Schatz's theory of genre cycles be applied to the Superhero genre?
innovation: visual codes were established via comic books.
People could recognize the iconography of a superhero film when characters from comic books were used in superhero movies
classical: In the 1950s the superhero genre was relevant and the codes and conventions
were easily identified.
parody: Batman (1966) was intentionally funny and camp and
wouldn’t let its audience take the superhero too seriously.
Deconstruction: Superman (1978) started a new cycle in the superhero genre
with technology leading the innovation with special effects creating more realistic visual ‘miracles’.
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:
Blow(2001)
General
1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?
I chose the film Blow because it was actually based on a true story and
I was very drawn to the biographical aspects of the film, making it almost seem like a crime documentary, it also is very realistic meaning a small minority could relate to certain aspects of the film.
2) In what context did you encounter it?
I encountered this film when I finished watching the movie "Good fellas" because
after watching Goodfellas I searched the internet for movies similar to it
which made me come across Blow.
3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?
It made me think it had similarities to many neo-noir crime films which it did.
4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?
Crime
5) What is your experience of this genre?
I genuinely enjoy crime films a lot but I do not like the overly cliched crime
films as they all seem similar making the experience boring.
6) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?
Crime, drug dealing, criminal empires, Effects of money
7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?
It has a lot of typical conventions of a crime movie, however, the way the film
is told is a lot different as usually in a crime film we don't always get a
realistic movie. What I mean by this is that in many crime films we usually
see the character subvert from crime to proceed with life in a positive way,
whereas blow shows us the harsh realities and consequences of the criminal
lifestyle. Furthermore, it is based on a true story.
8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?
I usually expect a lot of killing, drugs and sex.
9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)
A generic label is that there is generally a lot of sex in crime films.
10) What generic labels have others given the same text?
People may think of blow to be the generic drug dealer "rising up the ranks"
of the criminal underworld movie.
11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognise in the text?
Drug-dealing to make money character, the main character meets crime boss and builds
a criminal relationship, The protagonist becomes richer the more he delves into the
criminal underworld.
12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?
Blow does stretch the conventions because of the nihilistic ending, we see the
harsh realities of living a life of crime.
13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?
In Blow, it could be argued that the protagonist reaches his high point during
the beginning part of the movie and we see him go down-hill from there which is
uncommon in a crime film.
14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?
We see a relationship between the protagonist and his wife and daughter
and how money affects people in the film, these conventions are generally
associated with drama films.
15) What familiar motifs or images are used?
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 this text was aimed at people in the ages between 18-26, with a mixed racial demographics
2) How does the text address you?
The text does not really address me as I have not been through what the characters
in this film have been through.
3) What sort of person does it assume you are?
It assumes you are a person who may be facing issues such as being in the
middle of a normal life and a life of doing illegal activities making you
re-evaluate your decisions in life.
4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?
lower/working class, males, 18-25, mixed ethnicity.
5) What interests does it assume you have?
Smoking weed, partying and doing drugs.
Relationship to other texts
1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?
The movie gets inspiration from a real life story and person named
George Jung who was an American drug trafficker and smuggler.
2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?
Goodfellas, both texts are based on a true story with the same
criminal aspects.
3) What key features are shared by these texts?
Drug trade, Protagonist goes from being wealthy to having nothing,
both show effects of money and living a criminal life.
4) What major differences do you notice between them?
The major difference was that Good-fellas had a larger focus on the mafia and
gangster theme, whereas Blow showed more involvement with the cartel.
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