Genre Analysis of Film Trailers

Key Words – meaning/examples??

• Conventions• Denotation• Connotation• Representation• Stereotypes• Challenge & reinforce• Context

Key WordsKey word meaning exampleConventions expected/predicted elements Convention of ‘slasher’ film =

Knives, blood, murderSilent moments with sudden actions

Denotation basic meaning A cross is 2 lines; 1 horizontal, 1 vertical

Connotation symbolic meaning A cross means christianity

Representation how something is portrayed Mia’s mother if fish tank is represented/portrayed as a lower class, neglectful mother

Stereotypes labels Mia is a stereotypical rebellious teenager (from council estate)

Challenge & reinforce

challenge = to go against, defy reinforce = to support, strengthen

Challenge stereotype = having a down’s syndrome character who is very able/smartReinforce stereotype = batman is strong, male, big muscles, (as hero)

Context understanding the circumstance/reason/background

Women did not have certain jobs 100 years ago because they did not have equal legal rights.

Assignment 2: Genre AnalysisDue Thursday (no lesson Tues)

• You will be given a film trailer. You must answer the following questions. Complete as PowerPoint.

• You must provide screen grabs from trailer (by pushing print screen and then pasting onto slide)

QUESTIONS• Identify the correct basic genre of the film and similar films• The purpose of the _______ genre is to….• The main audience for this genre is……..because…….• List a few conventions of this genre (basic genre)• Identify (screen grabs) and explain how the trailer has at least 3-5 genre conventions.• Identify subgenres of the film (hybrids extension) • With 2-4 screen grabs, explain the denotation & connotation of the meaning in the screen grabs.• How are people, places and/or objects being represented in the trailer?• Explain the stereotypes (people, places and/or objects) in the trailer.• Are the stereotypes challenged or reinforced? Explain how.• Identify the context of your trailer. (social, historical, political, etc)

You are being judged/assessed on:

• Ability to complete on time• Ability to answer questions• Your understanding and application of key terms• Your ICT skills – ability to make a powerpoint• Your presentation & organisation of your slides

• You will get a level & grade

• Remember, I don’t accept lame excuses!

Review of

• Screen grabbing = print screen• Moving & cropping• Tables, diagrams• Text boxes• Text manipulation• Colours• Shapes – lines, arrows etc

Assignment 2: Genre Analysis

“The Dark Knight Rises”Colour = GREEN

By Jane Smith, 12B

The Dark Knight Rises (2012)• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8evyE9Tu

Yk&safe=active

Identify the correct basic genre of the film and similar films

• The genre is ACTION.

• Other films in the same genre are:TerminatorHulkAvengersMission ImpossibleDie HardThe MatrixFast & the Furious

The purpose of _____ genre

• The purpose of the ________ genre is to….

Audience

• The main type of audience for the _______genre is …….

• This is because………

List a few conventions of this genreACTION CONVENTIONS EXAMPLES FROM FILMS

Hero is a stereotypical masculine male who is ‘attractive’ with ‘muscles’, is strong etc.At one point, the villain will nearly win.

The hero will encounter a beautiful woman, usually falling for her / saving herDuring action scenes, there is often high action scenes with special effects or explosives which will be spectacular causing dramatic excitement for audience

Identify (screen grabs) and explain how the trailer has at least 3-5 genre conventions.

ACTION GENREConventions Evidence Explanation

High action scenes with spectacular explosives

Write explanation here or….

Hero and villain will fight

The villain will nearly win at some pointHero meets a beautiful woman

Or complete as annotations

Identify subgenres of the film

• The subgenre is Action/superhero.

• Other films in the same subgenre are:SpidermanIron manSuperman

With 2-4 screen grabs, explain the denotation & connotation of the meaning in the screen grabs.

With 2-4 screen grabs, explain the denotation & connotation of the meaning in the screen grabs.

How are people, places and/or objects being represented in the trailer?

The hero's are seen in locations which are represented as a glossy urban cities.

Dark, mysterious, sexy, glossy/shiny locations which enhance the ‘allure’ (attraction/appeal) of Batman.

The city is represented as an urban/metropolitan city which looks similar to New York.

Batman on top of building = superiority

Seen from top angle (above ground) which shows the power of the city

How are people, places and/or objects being represented in the trailer?

The villain (Bain) is represented as a threatening terrorist.

There are low angles to portray him as threatening as he looks dominating

His mask is similar to a gas mask which could suggest terrorism/threat.It makes him look scary as some of his face is covered (not revealing the ‘human side’

He is clearly threatening someone here which typical villains do (disregard for people)

Facial expressions are angry and serious

Explain the stereotypes (people, places and/or objects)

in the trailer

In action films, there is often a stereotype that the male hero possesses macho bikes/cars/airplanes that are high tech and do fancy tricks like make things explode.

The bike has additional features such as guns/weapons A very high tech flying device

Explain the stereotypes (people, places and/or objects)

in the trailer

In action films, there is often a stereotype that the male hero will encounter a beautiful woman who is either seductive or helpless.

Sometimes, women are quite powerful themselves.

It is clear the woman is very seductive (masquerade mask) and her flirty facial expression……hiding identity like hero

In contrast, here she is shown as powerful and able to fight (hiding identity)

She is vulnerable here (no mask, looking serious and high angle making her look vulnerable

Are the stereotypes challenged or reinforced? Explain how.

Stereotype Re-inforced Challenged

Villain as threatening XOften, villains are shot in low angles to make them look more powerful

Beautiful woman XShe is a beautiful woman who is slim, polished etc.

She is also vulnerable which often the women in action films need the male hero to save them

XShe is also represented as a powerful character who can fight (fighting men!) (similar to hero with mask and strong)

Identify the context of your trailer(social, historical, political etc)

• Terrorism is a common threat in today’s society which is a predominant theme in the film.

• The film is a typical action film predominantly made for a male audience.

Options (pick from hat)GENRE FILM NAME

Drama Pursuit of Happyness

Drama 127 Hours

Comedy Ted

Horror Dawn of the Dead

Thriller Panic Room

Sci-fi Star Trek

Action Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol

Romance Brokeback Mountain

Western Django Unchained

Crime Taken

War/historical Braveheart

Musical Hairspray