This document defines key genre theory terms and discusses how to apply genre theory to analyze the film A Field in England. It begins by defining terms like generic conventions, hybrid, sub-genre, and repertoire of elements. It then examines how A Field in England relates to genres like historical thriller and psychological genres. The document discusses genre theorists like Altman and Neale and how genres are dynamic processes that balance repetition and difference. It provides discussion questions on how A Field in England challenges genre conventions and audience expectations.

1. Connect…
Define the following
• Generic
conventions
• Hybrid
• Sub-genre
• Repertoire of
elements
• Mise en scene
• Altman’s genre
theory
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Discover

2. CW A Field In England & GENRE [08/06/2015]
A Level Media/MS4 Case Study
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Learning Objective/ Outcome Level
All: will make observations and suggest links with key concept 1
Most: will apply key terminology from previous learning to your
area of study
2
Some: be able to apply a media theory from previous learning to
your area of study
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3. Text
Genre
•Signifiers
•Conventions
•Iconography
Narrative
•Structure
•Conventions
•Key codes
Representation
•People
•Places
•Events/Issues
Industry
Issues
Production
Background/
Context
Marketing/
Promotion
Regulation
Global Implications
Distribution/
Exhibition
Audience/
Users
Targeting Positioning Debates Responses
Today!
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4. A Field In England
• A FIELD IN ENGLAND is a 2013 British
film.
• It is written by Amy Jump and
directed by Ben Wheatley
• It stars British actors Julian Barratt,
Reece Shearsmith and Michael
Smiley
• It was filmed over 12 days near
Guildford
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Discover

5. What is Genre?
‘ (genre) attempts to structure some order into the wide range of
texts and meanings that circulate in our own culture for the
convenience of both producers and audiences.’ John Fiske
 A way of categorising texts
 Defining codes and conventions for a category (genre)
 Sets up audience expectations
 Constructed through a series of signs (visual and aural)
 is always changing and developing
 Makes filming more efficient
Discover
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6. A Field In England and
GENRE
• Does A Field In England follow conventions of
ONE or MULTIPLE GENRES?
• What is the effect of it’s unconventional take
on Genre on its audience
• How does it relate to other films in the
Genre(s)?
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Discover

7. Genre & A Field In
England
• Can you research and
identify any indicators
of GENRE in A Field In
England using the
REPETOIRE OF
ELEMENTS?
• Remember to include
Images of evidence to
help with your revision!
REPETOIRE OF ELEMENTS
– Setting
– Technical Codes
– Iconography
– Narrative
– Characters
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Discover

8. Genre & A Field In
England
Pathway A
• Can you complete the
Diagram of Genre
conventions for A Field In
England – what Elements fit
into each Genre?
• How would you Classify A
Field In England, as a
HYBRID or a SUB GENRE?
Pathway B
• Can you expand the
diagram with any FURTHER
genre categories?
• Can you explain what
factors might make A Field
In England is
unconventional in it’s
approach to GENRE?
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Develop

9. Genre & A Field In
England
Historical Thriller
????Psychological
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10. Combine Notes
• Swap notes with a partner
• Read their ideas carefully
• Do you understand their ideas?
• Have they justified their choices with evidence?
• Can you combine ideas?
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Develop

11. Genre in Detail
• Daniel Chandler: Conventional definitions of genres tend to be based on the
notion that they constitute particular conventions of content (such as themes or
settings) and/or form (including structure and style) which are shared by the
texts which are regarded as belonging to them.
• Traditionally, genres tended to be regarded as fixed forms, but contemporary
theory emphasizes that both their forms and functions are dynamic. David
Buckingham argues that 'genre is not... simply "given" by the culture: rather, it is
in a constant process of negotiation and change' (Buckingham, 1993).
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12. Neale
• Steve Neale states that 'genres are instances of repetition and
difference' and 'genres are not systems, they are processes of
systemisation'.
• He also say's that, definitions of genre are historically relative and
are therefore historically specific. Believed that there was a system
of expectation and that by using own knowledge and applying
conventions of the genre, the audience should be able to infer the
narrative and storyline of the text.
• He also declares that difference is essential to the economy of
genre; mere repetition would not attract the audience.
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13. Altman
• Each major genre has been defined in terms of
a nucleus of films obviously satisfying the
theory's fourfold assumptions:
a) Each film was produced according to a recognizably
generic blueprint.
b) Each film displays the basic structures commonly
identified with the genre.
c) During its exhibition each film is regularly identified by a
generic label.
d) Audiences systematically recognize each film as
belonging to the genre in question and interpret it
accordingly. (contract)
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14. Altman
Characters Setting Iconography Narrative
Semantic
Syntactic
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15. Why are films
categorised into genres?
1. To the producers of films, genre is a template for what they make.
2. To the distributor/promoter, genre provides assumptions about who the
audience is and how to market the films for that specific audience.
3. Genre conventions allows the audience to guess and predict what may happen
due to the audience’s previous experience with this genre – they become
‘generic spectators’ and can be said to develop generic memory
4. If audience can identify generic codes and conventions it is likely to raise
expectations and assumptions about what might come next and gain satisfaction
from being able to correctly predict what will happen. They find being able to
predict the end appealing (Bordieu’s Cultrual Capital)
5. The way genre films deviate from the clichéd formulae that leads to a more
interesting experience for the viewer, but fore this to work properly, the
audience must be familiar with generic conventions and style.
Discover
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16. Applying Genre to A
Field In England
• Past Question:
‘Most texts today mix genres.’ How
true is this of your main text?
[June 2013]
• Try to:
– Discuss codes and conventions expected in this genre
– Discuss benefits of genre
– Use examples (key scenes) from the film
– Use media terminology
– Use theory where relevant
– Discuss how the film challenges audiences expectations and why
– Cover areas in your analysis such as:
• Characters
• Narrative
• Settings
• Iconography
• Technical and audio codes
(discussing several of these areas will show a broad awareness of how
genre conventions are present/used)
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Specific points to consider for A
Field In England:
•Its conventions
•Use of intertextuality
•Balance between repetition
and difference (Neale)
•Consider the evolution of the
genres you are discussing
•Any issues surrounding the
genre and appeal of the film
Key Terms and Theories
Genre /hybrid/ sub-genre
Conventions/ iconography/
narrative/ setting/
characters/ technical codes/
Intertextuality/
Repertoire of elements/
Semantic/ Syntactic

17. Homework
• Write an essay style answer to the question – 2/3
PEA paragraphs
• DUE: 23/6/2015
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Develop

18. Plenary
Pop Quiz!
• Can you describe the following terms correctly?
• If you get the answer right you can stand up
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Celebrate
1. Sub-Genre
2. Hybrid
3. Conventions
4. Repertoire of elements
5. Ideology
6. Construction
7. Codes
8. Conventions
9. Intertextuality
10. Mise-En-Scene
1. Characters
2. Narrative
3. Settings
4. Iconography
5. Themes
6. Semantic
7. Syntactic
8. Conform
9. Challenge
10. Genre