Genre: Narratives + ideology Flashcards
What do some genres have as their codes + conventions? Give an example
Specific ideologies
E.g. In a soap opera, values of family, cooperation, and loyalty are communicated through domestic stories
What did Thomas Schatz theorise?
He identified a different way of thinking about genre that is based on type of story told - Called these genres the ‘genre of order’, and the ‘genre of integration’
What isn’t important for Schatz’s genres?
Iconographies
Only the stories + values they communicate are important
Explain the genre of order:
This genre values individualism + personal sacrifice.
Violence is justified + hero’s job is to reinstate social order undermined by the threat
Individual hero
Explain the genre of integration:
Values groups who communicate + cooperate for general good.
Negotiation + compromise used to solve problems, all about community
Heroic group
How do these genre conventions help in media?
They connect media products through ideological perspectives, instead of being based on look/content of product
What are the conventions of crime drama?
- Innocent victim
- Theme of justice, good vs evil
- Chase scenes
- Number of suspects with motives
- Narrative
- Murder weapon
- Episodic - stand alone episodes
What are the conventions of a TV serial drama?
- Characters
- Storyline = Narrative, dramatic
- Sets + settings = Basics of mise-en-scene
- Famous cast to attract viewers
- Ensemble cast = Each cast with own storyline
- Exaggerated
- Scheduled prime time