Commercial Genre Unit

Why we watch what we watch (or read)

Definition of Genre:A category or grouping of literary or artistic

works that share certain general stylistic elements, forms or techniques

Five basic genres we will study: Fantasy Science Fiction Action/Adventure Horror Romance

Definition of Sub-Genre:

A category or grouping of similar storytelling that share certain specific stylistic elements

A sub-category within a particular genre or category

Examples of Fantasy sub-genres: High/epic fantasy (eg. Lord of the Rings) Time Travel (eg. The Time Traveller’s Wife) Vampire (eg. Dracula, Twilight,)

The Genre of Fantasy Fantasy is often

characterized by a departure from the accepted rules by which individuals perceive the world

it represents that which is impossible (unexplained) and outside the parameters of our known, reality

Make-believe is what this genre is all about

http://www.blindmanimagery.com/3d/Narnia_Poster.jpg

Science Fiction Genre:

deals with the impact of imagined innovations in science or technology, often in a futuristic setting

largely based on writing rationally about alternative possibilities

settings for science fiction are speculative, imaginary

Action/Adventure Traditionally aimed at male readers, features physical action and violence, often around a quest or military-style mission

The conflict typically involves commandos, mercenaries, terrorists, smugglers, pirates, spies and the like

Stories often include elements of technology, weapons, and other hardware, but may also include unarmed combat

Horror

intended to, or has the capacity to frighten its viewers, inducing feelings of horror and terror

can be either supernatural or non-supernatural

The genre has ancient origins, reformulated in the eighteenth century as Gothic horror.

Romance

central love story an emotionally

satisfying endingromance novels/films

may have varying tones, settings, plots, levels of sexuality

Fantasy Sub-genres:

Alternate History: speculative fiction that changes the accepted account of actual

historical events, often featuring a profound “what if?” premise Eg. War Against America

Dark Fantasy Encompasses the nastier, grimmer side to the usual fun of the fantasy

genre. Dark fantasy includes the nightmarish, darker side of magic, creatures, evil and demon

Eg. Alien, the Thing Dystopian:

stories that portray a bleak future world; stories that typically deal with totalitarian societies or ecological collapse

Eg. 1984, The Road Game-Related Fantasy:

tales with plots and characters similar to high fantasy, but based on a specific role-playing games like Dungeons and Dragons or a video game

Example: Lara Croft

Fantasy Sub-genres, cont’d.

High/Epic Fantasy Generally tales of a young nobody, thrown unexpectedly into a massive

"Good vs. Evil" struggle, where he must learn to uncover his own latent heroism to save the day (Eg. Lord of the Rings, The Matrix)

Mythic Fiction: The original versions of many fairy tales and myths were often violent stories set in mystical lands, sometimes with strange creatures and sometimes even stranger heroes (Eg. Beowulf, Excalibur)

Science Fantasy A blend in which fantasy is supported by scientific or pseudo-scientific

explanations (eg. Dune) Time Travel

Stories based on the concept of moving forward or backward in time, often delving into the existence of parallel worlds (Eg. Time Traveller’s Wife)

Vampire Variations on the classic vampire legend, recently taking on

many sexual and romantic variations (Eg. Twilight)

Other Fantasy sub-genres:

Arthurian Fantasy Encompasses stories about King Arthur, the Knights of the Round Table

or Merlin etc. Comic Fantasy

Tales designed specifically as spoofs of other serious fantasies, or containing humorous elements to a light-hearted tale. Robert Asprin's 'Myth' series is a good example of this.

Heroic Fantasy Fantastical worlds with an almost 'middle-ages' feel, peopled with

wizards and sorcerers, communing with dragons and riding pet unicorns to tame a battalion of wild orcs and goblins. Heroes are generally muscle-bound sword-wielding types, determined to rescue a true damsel in distress.

Sword and Sorcery Good old-fashioned 'Sword & Sorcery'. Rollicking tales of high

adventure in almost medieval settings. Designed to follow the exploits of the 'hero' as he battles to overcome all the bad guys by use of his trusty sword and some really huge muscles.

To which Fantasy sub-genres might these stories/movies belong?

Percy Jackson, in New York City, discovers he is the son of Poseidon, the Greek god of the sea. Poseidon’s brother, Zeus, is angry that Percy has stolen his lightning bolt and seeks revenge.

hoflich.com/Zen/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/.

Dracula by Bram Stoker

J onathan Harker, a young English lawyer, travels to Castle Dracula in the Eastern European country of Transylvania to conclude a real estate transaction with a nobleman named Count Dracula. As Harker wends his way through the picturesque countryside, the local peasants warn him about his destination, giving him crucifixes and other charms against evil and uttering strange words that Harker later translates into “vampire.” (sparknotes.com)

http://opiniones.terra.es

The Lord of the Rings

A hobbit names Bilbo Baggins finds a special ring and returns it to his Shire. The Dark Lord Sauron who once forged the ring and lost it during a battle, has returned to Mordor where he builds an army intent on recovering the Ring which will give him power over the leaders of Middle Earth.

s416.photobucket.com

Science Fiction Sub-genres:

Alternate History: speculative fiction that changes the accepted account of actual historical events, often featuring a profound “what if?” premise (Eg. Fatherland, War Against America)

Dystopian: stories that portray a bleak future world. Stories typically deal with totalitarian societies or ecological collapse (Eg. 1984, Waterworld)

Hard science fiction is driven more by ideas than characterization. Plausible

science and technology are central to the plot. To write effectively in this subgenre, an author must generally have a good grasp of the scientific principles involved. (Eg. Contact)

Military Sci-Fi/Fantasy: war stories that extrapolate existing military technology and tactics into the future (Eg. War of the Worlds)

Sci-Fi Sub-genres, cont’d.

Mystery/Noir Sci-Fi: a cross-genre blend that can be either an SF tale with a central mystery, classic whodunnit or noir with SF elements (Eg. Blade Runner)

Apocalyptic, holocaust, and post-apocalyptic stories focus on the end of the world, or the world just after

"the end.” society is wiped out and must rebuild (Eg. The Road, World of Men)

Space opera like Western "horse operas," often involves good guys

"shooting it up" with bad guys in the depths of space or on a distant planet. Space operas don't worry about scientific implausibilities; technical explanations tend to be vague (Eg. Star Wars)

Thriller Sci-Fi: a SF story that takes on the classic world-at-risk, cliffhanger elements of a thriller (eg. Outbreak)

More Sci-Fi Sub-genres:

Cyberpunk is set in a high-tech, often bleak, mechanistic and

futuristic universe of computers, hackers, and computer/human hybrids.

Slipstream deals with "mainstream" themes but contains a

speculative element. First contact

explores the initial meeting between humans and aliens, ranging from horrific tales of invasions to stories of benign visitors bearing the secrets of advanced technologies and world peace.

To which Science Fiction sub-genre might these books/movies belong?

After the near destruction of the North American world, a new oppressive government is set up whereby the President orders a boy and a girl from each district to enter the Hunger games each year—a fight to the death until there is a sole survivor.

Back to the Future

Marty McFly accidently travels back in time to from 1985 to 1955 where he meets his parents in high school. He interfers with his parents’ budding romance and must find a way to repair the damage and also travel back to the present.

The Chrysalids After the world has been mostly destroyed by a nuclear bomb, with its epicentre in the United States, a small Labrador community emerges hundreds of years later. It is very primitive and bases its very strict community guidelines on book that was written 500 years earlier, which is an interpretation of the Bible. The community rejects anyone who doesn’t fit “The Norm.”

Msbellsclassroom.pbworks.com

http://www.meline.co.uk/images/chrysalids.gif

Star WarsA group of freedom fighters struggle to destroy the powerful Death Star space station, a devastating weapon created by the evil Galactic Empire. Luke Skywalker acquires the droids carrying the stolen plans to the Death Star and a destructive search ensues. (Wikipedia.com)

Definition of Archetype:

the original pattern or model from which all things of the same kind are copied or on which they are based; a model or first form (dictionary.com)

an archetype (pronounced /ˈɑrkɪtaɪp/) is an original model of a person, ideal example, or a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated; a symbol universally recognized by all (Wikipedia.ca)

Archetypal Characters, setting, theme in Science Fiction/ Fantasy:

The hero, saviour or rebel: Unusual circumstances at birth Leaves family and lives with others Traumatic events lead to quest Special weapon Supernatural help Sometimes: proves self on quest, journey and

unhealable wound, atonement with father, spiritual reward

Old man/sage archetype:

This type of character is typically represented as a kind and wise, older father-type figure who uses personal knowledge of people and the world to help tell stories and offer guidance that, in a mystical way, may impress upon his audience a sense of who they are and who they might become, thereby acting as a mentor. (Wikipedia.ca)

Scientist/Necromancer Archetype:

Necromancy (pronounced /ˈnɛkrɵmænsi/; Greek νεκρομαντεία nekromantía, via Latin necromantia) is a form of magic in which the practitioner seeks to summon the spirit of a deceased person, either as an apparition or ghost, or to raise them bodily, for the purpose of divination. (Wikipedia.com)

Clown/fool Archetype:

The fool can actually pass on wisdom to other characters

The wisdom of the fool is not obvious upon first impressions

Enemy, Oppressor, Monster Archetype