MEDIA STUDIES

TV FILM

MAGAZINESCOMICS

ESSAYSTESTS

SKILLS OFANALYSIS

PRACTICALSKILLS

MAKING A FILMTRAILER

CREATING AMAGAZINE

ORCOMIC

Objectives:Objectives:

Learn more about the 4 ‘big concepts’ in Learn more about the 4 ‘big concepts’ in media studiesmedia studies

To understand ‘genre’ and ‘genre codes To understand ‘genre’ and ‘genre codes & conventions’ more deeply& conventions’ more deeply

COURSEWORK EXAM

4 Pieces.For one you plan & create

a media production.The other 3 can be writtenor practical or a mixture

of both

One ‘timed test’ (3 hrs).This will be on

And you will get some infobeforehand

50% 50%

120marks 100 marks

L.I.A.R.L.I.A.R.

GENRE CODES/CONVENTIONS

What we might expect to find; the ingredients or common elements of a genre…

ROMANTIC COMEDY

Often uses contemporary ‘pop’ soundtrack,mixed with ‘classics’ to enhance ‘mood’

Starts with a seemingly ‘mis-matched’ couplemeeting in unusual circumstances

We follow the problems in their relationship,but they eventually realise they are in love…

May use emotional ‘montages’ to showpassages of time, etc…

‘Best friends’ or ‘sidekicks’ offer support, advice and often ‘comic relief’

And so on…

Your task:Your task:

Work in pairs or a 3Work in pairs or a 3 Choose one genreChoose one genre Break it down into codes/conventions as I Break it down into codes/conventions as I

diddid Strive for as much depth and detail as Strive for as much depth and detail as

possiblepossible Me and Mr Griffiths will come round to Me and Mr Griffiths will come round to

support…support…

Genre conventions are Genre conventions are often complex and subtle often complex and subtle – it is not enough just to – it is not enough just to list a few key list a few key words/phraseswords/phrases

Feedback:Feedback:

Your chosen genre conventions…Your chosen genre conventions…

Sub-genres:Sub-genres:

Most genres can be ‘broken down’ into Most genres can be ‘broken down’ into different typesdifferent types

They are called ‘sub-genres’They are called ‘sub-genres’ May need more than a word/phrase to May need more than a word/phrase to

describe themdescribe them For example, the ‘Bond movie’ is a sub-For example, the ‘Bond movie’ is a sub-

genre of ‘Action’genre of ‘Action’

=BOND MOVIE

SCIENCE FICTION

‘END OF THE WORLD’

ALIEN INVASION

CREATURE FEATURES

TECHNOLOGY GONE BAD

EXAMPLES

OF EACH?

Genre ‘hybrids’:Genre ‘hybrids’:

Audiences’ can become too familiar with Audiences’ can become too familiar with repeated formatsrepeated formats

Genres are often blended or developed Genres are often blended or developed in new directionsin new directions

Directors may also ‘bend’ or ‘break’ what Directors may also ‘bend’ or ‘break’ what we think are the ‘rules’ for certain genreswe think are the ‘rules’ for certain genres

They referenceother horrormovies and

directors

The ‘obvious’both does

and doesn’t happen!

Characters knowall about horror

movies

Killings oftenhappen in

broad daylight andbusy places

GENRE HYBRID:

GENRE HYBRID:

SCIENCE FICTION

HORROR

COMEDY

‘BUDDY’ MOVIE

DETECTIVE/COP MOVIE

As you look at the movie As you look at the movie posters:posters:

What genres are suggested?What genres are suggested? How/why?How/why? What audiences will each one attract?What audiences will each one attract? Look out for hybrids or ‘indefinable’ Look out for hybrids or ‘indefinable’

movies…movies…

Movie clips:Movie clips:

State genreState genre Identify and comment on genre codes Identify and comment on genre codes

and conventionsand conventions Look out for hybridsLook out for hybrids What audiences are being ‘targeted’ in What audiences are being ‘targeted’ in

each?each? Anything unusual, different, breaking Anything unusual, different, breaking

conventions?conventions?

Group activity:Group activity:

You are going to form various ‘expert’ You are going to form various ‘expert’ groups on different genresgroups on different genres

You need to be in a 3 or 4You need to be in a 3 or 4 You need to choose a genreYou need to choose a genre Choose carefully – this will be your focus Choose carefully – this will be your focus

for the rest of todayfor the rest of today 5 minutes5 minutes

Within your genre Within your genre groups:groups:

What do you know about the origins of What do you know about the origins of your chosen genre?your chosen genre?

What are the ‘roots’ of your genre, and What are the ‘roots’ of your genre, and the earliest films within it?the earliest films within it?

This will require ICT access – we will be This will require ICT access – we will be going to 311 at the start of Period 5going to 311 at the start of Period 5

Task Two:Task Two:

List as many ‘sub genres’ within your List as many ‘sub genres’ within your main genre as possible.main genre as possible.

Describe them as fully as possible.Describe them as fully as possible.

Film language:Film language:

The director’s storytelling tool kit…

WHAT TO INCLUDE AND WHAT TO LEAVE OUT

ASPECT RATIO

1

1.85

Look at your summary Look at your summary sheet:sheet:

This will need sticking in your booksThis will need sticking in your books We will go through the key areas of film We will go through the key areas of film

language firstlanguage first You will then be in your ‘genre’ groups, You will then be in your ‘genre’ groups,

and we will give you an area of focusand we will give you an area of focus You will then be watching a film You will then be watching a film

sequence…sequence…

Additional camera shots:Additional camera shots:

Close up Wide angle shot

Low angle High angle

Aerial shot

Film sequence:Film sequence:

You will focus on the aspect of film You will focus on the aspect of film language you have been givenlanguage you have been given

You need to identify how it has been You need to identify how it has been used in the film sequenceused in the film sequence

You need to comment on You need to comment on the effect the effect and and impact impact on the ‘audience’on the ‘audience’

Look at the following examples…Look at the following examples…

Bad example:Bad example:

The director uses loads of different camera shots. This makes the sequence really good.

OR…

The director uses a tracking shot of the man walking along.

Good example:Good example:

The use of intensive backlighting adds to the spooky atmosphere of the scene. The creature is almost in silhouette and looks more menacing and mysterious…

ICT:ICT:

Where does your chosen genre come from?Where does your chosen genre come from? What were the earliest films within it?What were the earliest films within it? What are the most recent films within it?What are the most recent films within it? What are the most ‘important’ films within it?What are the most ‘important’ films within it? What else can you find out?What else can you find out? Create 4 PPT slides to help feedback your Create 4 PPT slides to help feedback your

findings…findings…