Genre

General

The text I have chosen is Peaky Blinders.

1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?

I have chosen this text because I found it entertaining and interesting in the way that it is a period drama as well as it having elements of crime and romance. Also, the fact that it shows how young soldiers where dramatically effected from the aftermath of the war.

2) In what context did you encounter it?

I encountered this when the advert first appeared on BBC Three. After watching I was addicted.

3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?

The fact that the series is located in England and has a historical feel to it which i find quite interesting.

4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?

This is a gangster drama located in the streets of post-war Birmingham on the verge of the 1920s. I personally believe that this also fits in he genre of crime, drama and romance. 

5) What is your experience of this genre?

I find this genre very entertaining as it has all these different types that fit really well together and addresses different concepts.

6) What subject matter and basic themes are the text concerned with?

I would base this subject matter to crime mafia in the UK during the 1920s.

7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?

Of the generation we live in today, period dramas with crime and gangsters may not be as popular as it once was.

8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?

I had originally thought that it would only be violent as the story line is based on gangsters but there are also elements family and romance which all combine well together 

9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?

10) What generic labels have others given the same text?

12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?

I think it stretches its dramatic conventions to the point where it becomes more expected for these events to happen. 

13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?

14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s)?

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

Throughout all series, there are elements of the same issues that make the audience think about and understand the possible outcomes.

Mode of address

1) What sort of audience did you feel that the text was aimed at (and how typical was this of the genre)?

I feel that this show is aimed more at mid teenagers and young adults 

2) How does the text address you?

We as an audience follow the struggles that some of the characters go through so its more consuming in the way that you feel for the main characters.

3) What sort of person does it assume you are?

Due to this, it assumes that I enjoy watching crime dramas.

4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?

As well as this being about the life of a gangster, it also addresses some of the struggles of that time, the audience have an insight on the corruption that happens in different places that would not be expected such as in the police force.

5) What interests does it assume you have?

This may assume that I am interested in crime and violence as well as  

Relationship to other texts

1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?

This could possibly be linked to another series 

2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?

I think is mostly resembles  crime in England during the 1920s

3) What key features are shared by these texts?

They both share similarities in terms of themes and in terms of the narrators in the way that each character is their own story.

4) What major differences do you notice between them?

In my opinion, I think that Peaky Blinders is more

Media Factsheet 03 - Genre: Categorising texts

1) What example is provided of why visual iconography are so important?

Visual and aural iconography are not the only way that genres can be identified. Genre can also be indicated in the way the story is told via its narrative (the structure of the storytelling) and plot (the events and occurrences within the story).

2) What examples are provided of the importance of narrative in identifying genre?

The article declares that the story lines of soap operas and sit-coms are similar but the way the narratives develop makes it easier to distinguish the difference between the two.

3) What is the difference between character representation in action movies and disaster movies?

In an action film, the hero is typically not with the rest of the characters (separated) whereas in a disaster film the heroes remain together in one group.

4) What are the different ways films can be categorised according to Bordwell? 

Bordwell believes films can be grouped  by the period/ country they are set in and also by the director or the stars of the film. For example, Tim Burton has a specific style of film-making then the audience know what to expect. Another of Bordwell's methods of categorisation  the  audience are able to identify when watching certain films. Another method is series which enables film franchises like Lord of The Rings, The Hunger Games and The Maze Runner to be in the same category. The last method Bordwell suggested is that films can be categorised based on their audiences because specific genres of films will have specific audiences.

5) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

One way audiences use genre is by using the knowledge they already have about that genre to see whether they enjoy the text. Another way audiences use genre is being able to compare texts with ones they already know.The third way audiences use genre is, using their existing knowledge to  decide not to see a certain text because they know it won't interest them.

6) List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.

One way the genre is used by producers is by seeing what has already got the audience's attention so they can create something that will entertain their audience .Another way genre is used by producers is by producing what they think will be popular among audiences.The third-way the genre is used by producers is by telling the audience what the genre of the text will be before delivering the texts.

7) What film genre is used as an example of how genres evolve? 

What films and conventions are mentioned?The film genre mentioned in the article is Gangster films such as The God Father and The City Of God.

Media Factsheet 126 - Superheroes: A Genre Case Study 

1) List five films the factsheet discusses with regards to the Superhero genre.

Batman, Spiderman, Guardians of the Galaxy and Avengers

2) What examples are provided of how the Superhero genre has reflected the changing values, ideologies and world events of the last 70 years?

One example of a superhero text that

3) How can Schatz's theory of genre cycles be applied to the Superhero genre?

Schatz's theory of genre cycles can be applied to the Superhero because in these type of films there is always a cycle in how the hero falls but then picks themselves up and saves everyone. For example, spiderman almost loses himself when his suit turns black and take control but he overcomes this.