MIGRAIN: Genre

Task 1: Genre Fact sheets

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

They help us recognise genres through repeated codes and conventions which are aspects of a text which the audience recognises as a shared character such as from specfifc visual or aural media language. For example the mise en scene of deep space, usually indicates the genre of

sci-fi.

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

Science Fiction - Star Wars - Star Trek

Set in outer space? -  yes - yes

Use of space ships? - yes - yes

Use of alien characters?-  yes - yes

Laser Guns? - yes -  yes

High Tech Devices? - yes -  yes

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

Period or Country (e.g. U.S. films of the 1930s

Director or Star (e.g. Ben Stiller films

Technical Process (e.g. Animation)

Style (e.g. German Expressionism)

Series (e.g. Bond films)

Audience (e.g. Family films)

4) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

- Audiences use their prior knowledge of genre to decide whether they are likely to enjoy a text.

- They use genre to compare texts through shared characteristics 

- They use genre to reject certain texts they don’t like or expect not to enjoy.

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

-  Production – Genre provides a template or set of rules for creating new texts, making it easier for producers to follow successful patterns.

-  Attracting an Audience – Producers use familiar genres to appeal to loyal fan bases and reduce the risk of failure.

-  Marketing Texts – Genres help producers market films effectively, such as through trailers or specialised TV channels that target specific genre audiences.

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

The X Men, The Avengers, Spiderman, Guardians of the Galaxy, Agents of Shield.

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

 

- In the 1930s–40s, heroes like Superman and Captain America showed hope and fought for America during the war.

- In the 1950s, stories became more safe and about family values.

- In the 1960s–70s, new heroes like Spider-Man and the X-Men showed social issues like racism and growing up

- In the 1980s–90s, films got darker, showing a world with more problems and less trust.

- After 2001, films like Iron Man and The Dark Knight reflected fears of terrorism and security

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

Schatz said that genres go through four stages which are known as experimental, classical, refined, and baroque.

- The experimental stage was early heroes like Superman creating the main ideas.

- The classical stage had clear good vs evil stories everyone recognised.

- The refined stage made heroes more realistic and emotional, like Spider-Man or Batman.

- The baroque stage includes films that make fun of the genre or change it, like Deadpool 

Task 2: Genre analysis case study

Alice in Borderline

General
1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing? - I chose Alice in Borderline, because it combines action, suspense, and psychological drama in a survival game setting, which makes this thrilling k-drama.

2) To what genre did you initially assign the text? - Survival thriller / sci-fi / action.

3) What is your experience of this genre? - I’ve seen similar survival stories like Squid Game and The Hunger Games, so I understand the tension and moral dilemmas typical of this genre.
4) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with? - Survival, trust, morality, teamwork, life and death decisions.
5) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content? -  deadly challenges, tense scenarios, high stakes, and character struggles are all standard for survival thrillers
6) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre? - Expect action, suspense, unpredictable outcomes, psychological tension
7) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where - try imdb.com if unsure)? - Action, Drama, Horror, Mystery, Sci-Fi, Thrille
8) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text? - Life-or-death games, dystopian urban setting, alliances and betrayals, moral choices, character growth under pressure.
9) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre? - Stretches conventions by adding unique game designs, deep character development contrasting to squid game
10) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre? - Focuses more on character emotions, morality, and relationships than typical action-focused survival shows.
11) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))? - Drama
12) What familiar motifs or images are used? - Playing cards, neon-lit Tokyo streets, game arenas, countdowns, masks, symbols of danger.

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)? - Aimed at teens and young adults who enjoy suspense, action
2) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity? - Likely assumes middle class background, since characters are portrayed in urban settings and familiar lifestyles.
3) What interests does it assume you have? - Interest in suspense, strategy, survival scenarios, psychological tension, and moral challenges.

Relationship to other texts
1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)? Intertextuality is when a media product references another media text of some kind. - Alice in Borderland references other survival and death game media such as Squid Game, The Hunger Games, and Battle Royale. It also includes nods to video game and card game culture through the use of playing cards as symbols for the challenges.
2) In terms of genre, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely? -  Alice in Borderland most closely resembles Squid Game, The Hunger Games
3) What key features are shared by these texts? -  life-or-death games
4) What major differences do you notice between them? - focuses more on complex, puzzle-like games and the emotional and psychological journeys of the characters.