PAPER 2 Section A TELEVISION EXAM QUESTION ( text)

Apply Neale's genre theory to your chosen television texts 

 Life on Mars s1 ep1 and The Bridge s3 ep1

 ( 30 marks ) ( 1200-2000 words approximately  )

You should explore all relevant parts of Neale's genre theory and how it applies to your texts , such as use and subversion of genre conventions , hybrid genre and subgenres, how genres evolve and develop and also the way certain  genres are popularised and  marketed to audiences . You can also mention any other relevant points about genre and narrative to develop your answer 

Here are some exemplar responses for a different question on the same texts

This structure may be useful :

POINTS ( several relevant effective and detailed points )

e.g 

Use and subversion of genre conventions

Development and history of specific genre or subgenre  

Any issues of representation of gender, social issues, ethnicity, time period, national identity etc. in programme /genre/subgenre  

Main character and how they link to audience expectations, representation of gender etc. and genre conventions 

EVIDENCE

Specific and relevant examples from the episodes , focusing on technical codes such as camera shots, lighting and colour ,setting , stock characters etc, 

EXPLAIN

Develop your point , contrast to other texts tor other points you've made, link to theory,  make further related points about technical codes 

 

PAPER 2 TELEVISION Key text 2 THE BRIDGE series 3 episode 1

1  Research and summarise  the key events of series 1 and 2 , particularly any information about Sigga's  previous   partner.

wikipedia page

2 Watch  Series 3 episode 1 on iplayer

KEY TEXT EPISODE   SERIES 3 EPISODE 1      LINK

Answer these questions

1  What genre conventions of crime drama did the episode include ?

( characters, themes, events , technical codes )

2  What genre conventions of  the subgenre of Nordic Noir did the episode include ?

( social themes, dark mood, use of violence )

Refer and summarise the history of Nordic Noir and refer to key conventions, writers , characters and programmes

Feature length documentary ( focus on Nordic Noir history and fiction

good article about Nordic Noir and list of key television programmes

50 seconds of Nordic Noir

3  Summarise the main character  of Sigga  ( the lead investigator)

( personality. relationships, methods )

5  Would you define the narrative and plot  as single strand or multi strand  ?  Restricted or unrestricted narrative ?

5  Which narrative elements , plot strands and enigmas were resolved by the end of the episode and which were unresolved ?

 

PRODUCTION : storyboarding first section of audiovisual product

 Using the template below, complete a storyboard ( 10 shots )  of the opening sequence of shots of your music video or television sequence. This should not include the title sequence.

You can only use original drawings or photos , and these images should accurately  show the content and  the  type/angle/size and lighting of shot you plan to use in your filming. 

The exact setting /costume/props/actor does not need to be used but try to make it is as similar as you can.

Add as much detail as you can using media terminology in the written sections.  

LINK TO STORYBOARD TEMPLATE 

PRODUCTION :PRINT PRODUCTION TASKS

You need to complete and submit  the  print production tasks ( and your  statement of aims )  by halfterm   (October  22 ) via the submission section on mooodle

If you have previously submitted , please replace with the latest versions

We will then be moving on to the audiovisual tasks

 

MUSIC MARKETING OPTION

1  Front cover of a new mainstream magazine that appeals to the mainstream 16-25 audience

Thus can be any genre of mainstream magazine such as  a general lifestyle magazine or weekend supplement, or a music/ entertainment  magazine.

       

            MUST INCLUDE :

Original title and masthead for the magazine; strapline

• Cover price and barcode

• Main cover image of the band or artist to establish their identity

• Main cover line relating to the artist or band plus at least 2 further cover lines

                                AND    

2    2 page spread magazine article (or extract from a longer article) of  about 300 words,  featuring             your artist 

               MUST INCLUDE 

 • An interview with the artist or band discussing the concept for the music video and the process of         making it 

Headline and stand-first, sub-headings, column layout appropriate to the  genre of mainstream magazine

 Details of the latest single release/availability of the music video

 One main image and additional smaller/minor images (all original and different from the images on the cover); these may include photographs of the artist/s on the music video set, but ‘stills’ from the music video must not be used

 At least one pull-quote; links to the artist or band’s website and social media channels

    

                                                 OR

FILM MARKETING OPTION

1  Poster advertising the release  of your new  television  programme on E4 or BBC3

              

 MUST INCLUDE :

• Original title for the television programme

• One main image (original and different from the images on the DVD/Blu-ray

cover)

• An element of narrative, for example enigma or character types

• Production company/broadcaster logo

• Release date

                                               AND

2  Front and back cover for the  DVD or Blu-ray box set

MUST INCLUDE

DVD/Blu-ray front cover:

• Original title for the television programme

• At least one main image (original and different from the images on the back

cover and poster)

• Age rating

Spine:

• Title, production company logo, age rating

DVD/Blu-ray back cover:

• At least one main image (original and different from the images on the front cover and poster)

• Three ‘thumbnail’ images depicting different scenes from the programme

• Promotional ‘blurb’ for the television programme (approximately 150 words), including reference to narrative disruption and/or equilibrium . Key information about the setting , plot and characters/actors  of your TV programme   , such as narrative disruption and/or equilibrium , conflict and key events.

Cast list and any other written information , such as review /tag lines 

• Billing block

• Production company/broadcaster logo, age rating and technical information

  

  DEADLINE  FRIDAY MAY 28

OTHER DOCUMENTS AND HELP

LINK TO BRIEFS     read carefully to ensure you are completing all of the requirements ( text,cover lines, formatting etc)

Example 1 of a good statement of aims ( band 5 )


Example 2 of a good  statement of aims ( band 5)

Examples of  magazine 2 page spreads 

Examples of some DVD blurbs ( you need to write more ! )

Examples of DVD covers

 

PAPER 2 A TELEVISON : Life on Mars text analysis

LINK TO EPISODE 1

Full revision pack


70s cop shows    INFORMATION



Summarise the key points about  S1 ep 1 of Life on Mars in the following areas



Genre (  Life on Mars is a hybrid genre text)


Use of  conventions in crime and scifi genre  (  characters, settings, narrative , iconography etc.)  and how they are followed or subverted . Link to Neale's genre theory and how the text is a combination of  familiar and different genre elements .



Narrative


Barthes enigma codes :  what enigmas ( mysteries ) remain unsolved by the end of the episode ? Are any solved ?

Is the episode a restricted or unrestricted narrative ?

 Representations

How are gender, ethnicity, the police and wider society represented in both the 1970s and modern day narratives of the episode ? Look at career and job roles, attitudes towards opposite genders , attitudes towards the law, use of technology , crime detection methods  etc. 

You should focus on these characters in particular :

Sam Tyler

Gene Hunt

Annie Cartwright

Nelson

BLOG ON REPRESENTATION

PAPER 2A Crime Drama : LUTHER AND OTHER EXAMPLES

Apply the genre codes of  crime drama ( the chart in the  previous post ) to  Luther , with examples from any episodes you have seen, explaining how it matches or subverts the basic genre  and narrative conventions. 

LUTHER SERIES 2 EPISODE 1  LINK

EPISODE 2  LINK   analyse how the narrative is resolved and which  enigmas are solved

LUTHER:  Knowledge organiser  LINK  ( more detailed information )

OTHER CRIME DRAMAS

Complete this short quiz on TV crime drama

Explore the Crime Drama section on BBC player ( LINK)  and find examples of three different programmes in three different crime subgenres. Use the list of categories in crime below

• The Detective or investigative  crime drama s a subgenre of crime fiction and drama   in which an investigator or a detective—either professional, amateur, or retired—investigates a crime, often murder.
• The cozy mystery is a subgenre of detective fiction in which profanity, sex, and violence are downplayed or treated humorously.
• The whodunit, the most common form of detective fiction, features a complex, plot-driven story in which the reader is provided with clues from which the identity of the perpetrator of the crime may be deduced before the solution is revealed at the end of the book.
• The historical whodunnit is also a subgenre of historical fiction. The setting of the story and the crime have some historical significance.
• The locked-room mystery is a specialized kind of a whodunit in which the crime is committed under apparently impossible circumstances, such as a locked room, which no intruder could have entered or left.
• The American hardboiled school is distinguished by the unsentimental portrayal of sex and violence; the sleuth usually also confronts danger and engages in violence.
• The police procedural is a story in which the detective is a member of the police, thus the activities of a police force are usually convincingly depicted.
• Forensic crime drama is similar to the police procedural. The investigator whom the reader follows is usually a medical examiner or pathologist; they must use the forensic evidence left on the body and at the crime scene to catch the killer. 
• In a legal  or courtroom crime drama  the major characters are lawyers and their employees, and they become involved in proving their cases.
• In spy novels, the major characters are spies, usually working for an intelligence agency.
• The caper story and the criminal novel are stories told from the point of view of the criminals.
• The psychological thriller or psychological suspense, a specific subgenre of the thriller, also incorporates elements from detective fiction, as the protagonist must solve the mystery of the psychological conflict presented in these stories.
• The parody or spoof uses humor or sarcasm.
• The crime thriller has the central characters involved in crime, either in its investigation, as the perpetrator, or less commonly, a victim.
• the rural crime drama is set in the countryside rather than the city and may also be a cozy or parody crime drama
• The prison crime drama uses prison as the setting and the focus is usually on a prisoner

There are others...see if you can find ones that subvert or don't fit into these categories !

PAPER 2 A CRIME DRAMA

       BASIC  CRIME TV GENRE CONVENTIONS

Genre Convention	Stereotypical (Repetition)
Subgenres/links to other genres Characters see presentation below for more information	e..g  forensic , prison,investigative , whodunnit conventions from horror/action etc.      Investigator /Detective – Maverick ,troubled past, expert in solving crime unconventionally  Supportive / Conventional/ Antagonistic  Boss Supportive /Conventional Sidekick Supportive/ Conventional/ Antagonistic colleagues  Psychological expert , IT expert, forensic expert Villain ( usually murderer )    Nemesis ( long-term equal or flipside of detective)
Locations/Settings	City – more people = more crime Industrial spaces /dark side of city Interrogation Room Criminal dwellings Crime scenes Morgue  Domestic settings
Iconography (objects/props/ clothing etc) often used symbolically to indicate power, authority , morality etc.	e.g Police uniform Police badge Police cars Technology  e.g survellience,recording Weapons Informal clothing ( superior status of  investigators)
Narrative Structure	Began with a crime  Criminal identity revealed ? Search for evidence Crime solved  Enigmas ?  All solved within episode /series ? Usually linear Single strand plotline or multiple strand with subplots ?
Technical and Audio Codes (camera shots/angles/ editing/filter/ sound effects/ dialogue/ sound track etc)	Fast paced editing for chases Close-up to medium shots of characters when interrogating (intense camera shots) Low and high angles used to show status Police siren Police jargon – technical dialogue  Sound track to match pace or emotion of scene At times there is no sound and left in silence for tension or to hear dialogue

Applying  Neale's genre conventions to stock characters