Connect…

Define the following

• Generic conventions

• Hybrid• Sub-genre

• Repertoire of elements

• Mise en scene • Altman’s genre

theory

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CW A Field In England & GENRE [08/06/2015]

A Level Media/MS4 Case Study

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Learning Objective/ Outcome Level

All: will make observations and suggest links with key concept 1

Most: will apply key terminology from previous learning to your area of study

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Some: be able to apply a media theory from previous learning to your area of study

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Text

Genre• Signifiers

• Conventions

• Iconography

Narrative• Structure

• Conventions

• Key codes

Representation

• People

• Places

• Events/Issues

IndustryIssues

Production

Background/Context

Marketing/Promotion

Regulation

Global Implications

Distribution/Exhibition

Audience/Users

Targeting Positioning Debates Responses

Today!

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A Field In England

• A FIELD IN ENGLAND is a 2013 British film.

• It is written by Amy Jump and directed by Ben Wheatley

• It stars British actors Julian Barratt, Reece Shearsmith and Michael Smiley

• It was filmed over 12 days near Guildford

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What is Genre?

‘ (genre) attempts to structure some order into the wide range of texts and meanings that circulate in our own culture for the convenience of both producers and audiences.’ John Fiske

A way of categorising texts Defining codes and conventions for a category (genre) Sets up audience expectations Constructed through a series of signs (visual and aural) is always changing and developing Makes filming more efficient

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A Field In England and GENRE

• Does A Field In England follow conventions of ONE or MULTIPLE GENRES?

• What is the effect of it’s unconventional take on Genre on its audience

• How does it relate to other films in the Genre(s)?

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Genre & A Field In England

• Can you research and identify any indicators of GENRE in A Field In England using the REPETOIRE OF ELEMENTS?

• Remember to include Images of evidence to help with your revision!

REPETOIRE OF ELEMENTS– Setting– Technical Codes– Iconography– Narrative– Characters

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Genre & A Field In England

Pathway A• Can you complete the

Diagram of Genre conventions for A Field In England – what Elements fit into each Genre?

• How would you Classify A Field In England, as a HYBRID or a SUB GENRE?

Pathway B• Can you expand the

diagram with any FURTHER genre categories?

• Can you explain what factors might make A Field In England is unconventional in it’s approach to GENRE?

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Develop

Genre & A Field In England

Historical Thriller

????Psychological

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Combine Notes

• Swap notes with a partner

• Read their ideas carefully

• Do you understand their ideas?

• Have they justified their choices with evidence?

• Can you combine ideas?

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Develop

Genre in Detail• 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.

• Traditionally, genres tended to be regarded as fixed forms, but 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).

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Neale• Steve Neale states that 'genres are instances of repetition and

difference' and 'genres are not systems, they are processes of systemisation'.

• He also say's that, definitions of genre are historically relative and are therefore historically specific. Believed that there was a system of expectation and that by using own knowledge and applying conventions of the genre, the audience should be able to infer the narrative and storyline of the text.

• He also declares that difference is essential to the economy of genre; mere repetition would not attract the audience.

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Altman

• Each major genre has been defined in terms of a nucleus of films obviously satisfying the theory's fourfold assumptions:a) Each film was produced according to a recognizably

generic blueprint.b) Each film displays the basic structures commonly

identified with the genre.c) During its exhibition each film is regularly identified by a

generic label.d) Audiences systematically recognize each film as

belonging to the genre in question and interpret it accordingly. (contract)

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Altman

Characters Setting Iconography Narrative

Semantic Syntactic

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Why are films categorised into genres?

1. To the producers of films, genre is a template for what they make.

2. To the distributor/promoter, genre provides assumptions about who the audience is and how to market the films for that specific audience.

3. Genre conventions allows the audience to guess and predict what may happen due to the audience’s previous experience with this genre – they become ‘generic spectators’ and can be said to develop generic memory

4. If audience can identify generic codes and conventions it is likely to raise expectations and assumptions about what might come next and gain satisfaction from being able to correctly predict what will happen. They find being able to predict the end appealing (Bordieu’s Cultrual Capital)

5. The way genre films deviate from the clichéd formulae that leads to a more interesting experience for the viewer, but fore this to work properly, the audience must be familiar with generic conventions and style.

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Applying Genre to A Field In England

• Past Question:‘Most texts today mix genres.’ How

true is this of your main text?[June 2013]

• Try to:– Discuss codes and conventions expected in this genre– Discuss benefits of genre– Use examples (key scenes) from the film– Use media terminology– Use theory where relevant– Discuss how the film challenges audiences expectations and why– Cover areas in your analysis such as:

• Characters• Narrative• Settings• Iconography• Technical and audio codes (discussing several of these areas will show a broad awareness of how genre conventions are present/used)

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Specific points to consider for A Field In England:

• Its conventions• Use of intertextuality• Balance between repetition

and difference (Neale)• Consider the evolution of the

genres you are discussing • Any issues surrounding the

genre and appeal of the film

Key Terms and TheoriesGenre /hybrid/ sub-genre

Conventions/ iconography/ narrative/ setting/

characters/ technical codes/ Intertextuality/

Repertoire of elements/ Semantic/ Syntactic

Homework

• Write an essay style answer to the question – 2/3 PEA paragraphs

• DUE: 23/6/2015

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Develop

Plenary

Pop Quiz!• Can you describe the following terms correctly?• If you get the answer right you can stand up

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Celebrate

1. Sub-Genre2. Hybrid3. Conventions4. Repertoire of elements5. Ideology6. Construction7. Codes8. Conventions9. Intertextuality10. Mise-En-Scene

1. Characters2. Narrative3. Settings4. Iconography5. Themes6. Semantic7. Syntactic8. Conform9. Challenge10. Genre