Codes and Conventions

SNSM

Pick your top 3 to discuss!

Genre questions

• 'Most texts today mix genres.' How true is this of your three main texts?. [30]

• To what extent are your chosen texts typical of their genre? [30]

• How do your chosen texts use genre conventions? [30]

• How do your chosen texts reinforce or challenge genre conventions? [30]

Introduction…• Opening paragraphs…. See handbook

• Introduce key texts• Define any key terms in the question showing your understanding

of what the question requires- What is genre?- Why important?- Specifics to question eg. 'Most texts today mix genres.' How true is

this of your three main texts?. [30] talk about 'difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre': mere repetition would not attract an audience– Steve Neale theory

- so the mix of genre – documentary (free cinema) for SNSM

Audiences Producers Distributors

Why are genre’s important?

Why is genre important for ...

AudienceAlthough genres are not always precisely definable, genre considerations are one of the most important factors in determining what audiences will see or read. The classification properties of genre can attract or repel potential users depending on the individual's understanding of a genre. Genre creates an expectation in the minds of its audience and may fail or succeed depending on if that expectation is met or not. Inversely, audiences may call out for change in a genre and create an entirely new genre.Producers of media texts?Gives a pattern for construction, a templateGenre pieces have an established audience who are easy to market toCertain personnel can develop their skills working within a particular genre (e.g. horror make up specialists)Stars can associate themselves with a particular genre e.g. Will Ferrell is known for a certain type of slapstick comedy, and his face on a poster instantly tells audiences what kind of movie they are likely to see if he is in it.Fans of a genre know the codes, so you don't have to reinvent the wheel all the timeDistributors?Clear channels for marketing and distribution — easily targetable audienceConcentration of distribution resources — no point in trying to get eg football matches to a non-sports audienceFans of a genre as a whole can easily be persuaded to buy other texts in the same genre eg dance music compilation CDsProvides a structure for retail outlets

Genre Theory• Daniel Chandler: Conventional definitions of genres tend to be based

on the notion that they constitute particular conventions of content (such as themes or settings) and/or form (including structure and style) which are shared by the texts which are regarded as belonging to them.

• It is easy to underplay the differences within a genre. Steve Neale declares that 'genres are instances of repetition and difference' (Neale 1980, 48). He adds that 'difference is absolutely essential to the economy of genre': mere repetition would not attract an audience. Texts often exhibit the conventions of more than one genre.

• John Hartley notes that 'the same text can belong to different genres in different countries or times' (O'Sullivan et al. 1994).

• contemporary theory emphasizes that both their forms and functions are ‘dynamic’. David Buckingham argues that 'genre is not... simply given by the culture: rather, it is in a constant process of negotiation and change' (Buckingham 1993).

Audience and genre• Steve Neale argues that pleasure is derived from

'repetition and difference' (Neale 1980); there would be no pleasure without difference.

• We may derive pleasure from observing how the conventions of the genre are manipulated (Abercrombie 1996). We may also enjoy the stretching of a genre in new directions and the consequent shifting of our expectations.

• http://www.slideshare.net/HeworthMedia/genre-theory•

So in order to gain higher marks you need to link additional information to your textual analysis… historical or industry or

audience or genre

• social realist films employed stylistic conventions seen within documentaries

• more often than not influenced by ideological beliefs and attitudes of the time

• explore the reality of the working class through their living conditions, language and aspirations all of which examined the changing nature of society and ultimately paved the way for the era of the British new wave film genre (Christopher, 1999:83)

How do your chosen texts reinforce or challenge genre conventions? [30]'Most texts today mix genres.' How true is this

of your three main texts?. [30]

• ‘Free Cinema’ (Documentary style) distinctive aesthetic consequence of three main factors:

• a conscious decision to take their cameras out of the studios and into the streets in order to engage with the reality of contemporary Britain

• the extremely limited funds at the filmmakers' disposal

• and the technology available• Free Cinema advocated and developed a

genuine 'aesthetic of economy'

'Most texts today mix genres.' How true is this of your three main texts?. [30]

The 'angry young men'

• Free Cinema must also to be understood as an early manifestation of a wider cultural movement, which also included a new breed of writers who began to challenge the existing social and cultural order.

• AYM focused on lower-middle-class and working-class life and were savagely critical of the institutions of English society.

• Recognise Free Cinema's significant role in the apprenticeship of filmmakers who made a major contribution to the flowering of 'social realist' cinema in the late 1950s and early 1960s.

'Most texts today mix genres.' How true is this of your three main texts?. [30]

Linking info - Industry

The booming sounds of the heavy machinery in the opening scene and Arthur’s rugged and grubby appearance completely defines the film as a working class film. Through the use of voiceover, Arthur surveys his work colleagues and bemoans that they are ground down and want to ‘get on’ in their job. Arthur refuses to be ground down by the establishment in which he says ‘don’t let the bastards grind you down’ and ‘I’d like to see anybody try to grind me down. That’d be the day. What I’m out for is a good time. All the rest is propaganda.’ This is symbolised during Arthur’s night out at the beginning of the film when he wins a drinking contest with an old sailor, gets extremely drunk and falls down the stairs with a grin on his face showing that Arthur is happy when he is out having a good time.

Use of Sound….

HW

• Try to write up as essay… pick a question• 45mins each industry…so how much time for each

film? 15mins!!! +extra 5 for intro/conclusion

• Intro• Main x 3 points (textual analysis) eg. Location

shooting, voiceover, abortion theme (all SR conventions)

• Conclusion