How typical are your three main texts of their genre? 30 marks (2012 question)

Genres are typically distinguished by genre specific lexis. These are conventions implying the genre of a text. These are elements an audience will expect to see feature in a film based on a film they have previously watched of the same genre. Daniel Chandler’s theory states that conventional definitions of genre are based on the conventions they feature. The genre of a text can contribute significantly to the success of the text as a film can be recognised by its genre without needing to be watched.

Skyfall, 2012 film directed by Sam Mendes, is a very typical spy action film. It features all the typical spy movie conventions such as instruments of death (weapons), fast movement, chase scenes and death. However, despite being a typical spy film, it can be argued that Skyfall has conventions of other genres such as a thriller, comedy. This can arguably section it from its main genre. 

A typical convention of a spy action film would be a high budget. This is in order to make any fight scenes or possibly bomb scenes look realistic. High budgets also allows the sci-fi features of most spy films. It also will allow the movie to be filmed in numerous locations (including a range of countries). Skyfall had a budget of 200 million USD.

However, although Skyfall is typical of its genre, I would argue that, to an extent, the James Bond franchise created the, what are viewed as, typical conventions of spy films, therefore not making it typical of its genre, but typical of its franchise.  

Likewise to Skyfall, Kingsman: The Secret Service (2014), directed by Matthew Vaughn, is also a conventional spy film. I think Kingsman is not typical to its genre as it has multiple sub genres, one of these being comedy. Furthermore, it also can be argued that it has features of urban realism, when it shows the protagonists, Gary ‘Eggsy’s’, personal life. This could link to the self identity in the Uses and Gratification theory, which is not typical to the spy genre as it tends to be very unrealistic, especially to the social class it is perhaps aimed at. This theory is said to be able to regard to every media text as it gives multiple reasoning to why an audience engages in a text.

In terms of drama’s, the typical conventions an audience can expect to see would include the characters portraying and reflecting the lives of people in todays society. They are realistic. This is in order to allow people to self identify and relate to the characters which is part of the uses an Gratification theory. Dramas typically have linear structures. One of my three texts, Pride (2014) directed by Matthew Warches, is a drama film. It is typical to its genre in the terms of it exhibiting real life situations and people. Pride portrays the journey of multiple protagonists, which is a typical convention of dramas. However, where I’d argue its difference to other dramas is how it is based on a true story and it can potentially be stated as biopic (biographical). Pride has dramatised the event of U.K gay activists helping Welsh miners in the early 1980’s. This differs in genre conventions in comparison to other dramas, even with similar themes, such as Weekend, which is a linear drama film following the lives of two fictional characters. Most typical dramas we see on screen are fictional.

Explore the audience appeal of your three chosen texts. (30)

There are many factors that could be used in order to dictate the audience appeal to my three chosen films. Buzz on social media and box office income strongly measures the level of popularity of any film. Furthermore, there are other factors such as star power and precious form which makes predicting an audience appeal more accurate. 

Skyfall (2012) directed by Sam Mendes, is a perfect example of this as it includes star power with Daniel Craig. This would provoke an audience of fans of the star to be attracted to the film. Also , fans of Adele may be attracted to Skyfall as she sung the most significant song for the film. Previous form is a massive factor with Skyfall as there had been a previous 23 popular James Bond films before this one hit the screens. This means there was already a large fan base of whom would find Skyfall appealing. This is backed up by the box office numbers, Skyfall reached ... To this day, the hashtag #Skyfall is still consistently appearing on social media, specifically Twitter, which presents the popularity of the film. Asides from this, there are also other factors which may appeal an audience to this film even if they haven't seen the previous or know anything about it. There are genre specific lexi's in the trailer which would attract action spy fans to the film. 

Likewise to Skyfall, Kingsman The Secret Service (2014) directed by matthew Vaughn, would also be appealing to action spy fans, and also perhaps comedy fans. Again, star power would play a part in audience appeal with this movie as Colin Firth is one of the protagonists. Despite Kingsman having a predominantly a teen/young adult audience, Colin Firth could be appealing to an older audience who have been watching him for years. The box office for Kingsman reached ..million which again shows the popularity of the film. 


I'm too tired to finish this now I had work but return by next lesson it'll be completed :) 

The 2014 drama/romance film Pride, directed by Matthew Warchus, has many similarities to fellow drama/romance film Weekend, 2011 film directed by Andrew Haigh. Both films have identical themes of love, equality and homosexuality. 

Pride is based on a true story of civil rights movements for homosexuality in the early 1980's. It follows the story of several gay activists striving to help support funds for miners in Wales. It covers multiple representations such as the representation of issues, the main issue being homophobia. It also shows the representation of age and how close minded the elder generation were in those days. This is highly seen when we are shown that Cliff, an elderly man comes out as gay after fearing to be open about it for years. Furthermore, regional identity plays a part in this movie as the fact they were going to Wales was important. Pride also involves numerous jokes about homosexuality and is very uplifting and, in my opinion, a feel good film presenting equality and spreading the message of acceptance. Pride box office is 16.7 million US dollars. 

Weekend is a movie about two gay men who meet in a club and spend what seems like a very long weekend together. It projects their individual lives and allows us to view how they feel about themselves and their sexuality. This movie allows close and personal insight to the two protagonists lives singular and when they are together. We definitely can see an opposition in the two men's personalities, with Glen being, arguably, what seems much more confident than Russel. Weekend box office is a much smaller 1.1 million US dollars. 

I think that Pride, unlike Weekend, has a more positive message about homosexuality and acceptance as the characters are truly proud of who they are and the fact that they are gay and they honour themselves and others for being open and proud about their sexual orientation. This is strongly seen in the scene where Mark speaks to Joe and expresses how he feels about Joe hiding his sexuality from his parents. However, ultimately, Joe is found out and carries the explosion proudly. I think that Weekend has a slightly different approach to gay pride as the two characters are shown feeling awkward kissing or hugging in public, as seen in the scene at Russell's doorstep when there is a heterosexual couple next to them and they act uncomfortable and therefore do not kiss or hug to say goodbye.

Weekly News

Single mum-of-four can’t afford a house… so she builds one HERSELF using YouTube tutorials

I saw this headline on the Sun. I was a bit stunned as I honestly thought this woman had done the unimaginable. Especially after seeing the picture attached to the article (see below) 

This article reports how a 45 year old woman went through marital issues and was kicked out of her home. She did not have enough money to buy a house to accommodate her and her kids. So instead of struggling to afford what she couldn't, she decided to buy supplies, which she did have enough for, and with help, build a 5 bedroom house from scratch. 

This article also reports that the husband was violent and it expresses the fear her and her children felt being with him. This is a representation of issues and it may encourage other people who are going through domestic abuse etc. To get out of it! 

Lastly, this is also a positive representation of women as it shows that women have the stregth and graft to build a whole house and it presents that females are hardworking and can take on the challenging role of being a single parent providing for the whole family and acting on behalf of the dad aswell. 

https://www.thesun.co.uk/living/2606771/single-mum-of-four-cant-afford-a-house-so-she-builds-one-herself-using-youtube-tutorials/