Categories question Flashcards
Describe the genre conventions of media content you have studied
A) The genre of Chernobyl is historical disaster drama
A common genre convention in historical disaster drama is the character of the uncompromising villain.
Dyatlov is the uncompromising villain when she shouts and screams at everyone in the control room on the night of the test at the power plant when they are reluctant to carry out his orders as they know its likely to end in disaster.
Even when he is on trail he still totally denies all guilt for what has happened
Another genre convention is the sound of the dosimeter to create a chilling atmosphere at the start of each episode and at points throughout the episodes, reminding us of the disaster
This is a poignant reminder of the danger which is unseen in the air but present at all times as Legasov, Scherbin, Khomyuk and others try help make the nuclear plant safe.At the very start of episode 1 we hear the dosimeter before the sequence in which Legasov commits suicide, making the connection between Chernobyl and his death clear for the audience
Another genre convention is the character of Legasov as an accidental hero.
The audience is reminded that Chernobyl is a realistic historical drama because nothing prepares Legasov for his hero role. He simply receives a phone call from the Soviet Government telling him the President needs him as an expert in nuclear physics at a meeting the following day.
It is his courage to reveal the truth as a scientist, not hide it from the people and the wider world which makes him heroic.
It is his cleverness in saving thousands of people from cancer/leukaemia by getting the miners to stop the radiation water from leaking which also makes him heroic.
By being brave enough to sacrifice a few volunteers who push graphite off the reactor roof, he also heroically saves thousands of lives.
Explain how these genre conventions achieve a particular purpose
- Each episode ends on a cliffhanger, so this keeps the audience watching
- To inform the audience of historical events
