This document discusses the codes and conventions of different film and television genres including fantasy swashbuckler films like Pirates of the Caribbean, superhero films like The Dark Knight Rises and Avengers, romantic comedies like Norbit, American sitcoms like The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, British television dramas like Waterloo Road, soap operas like EastEnders, and reality television shows like The Only Way is Essex. It provides lists of elements common to each genre such as special effects, good vs evil narratives, relatable characters, comedic themes, school settings, character storylines, and factual unscripted content.

1. film
 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
 It is an American fantasy swashbuckler film

2.  Codes and Conventions
 High production values
 Younger target audience although significant older appeal
 Wide/saturated distribution (normally by an American Studio e.g. Warners or Disney). Mainstreamers and Aspirers
 Dedicated, sometimes obsessive fan base
 Convergence and Synergy – computer games, merchandising, forums and blogs, fan sites…
 Emotive, often ‘romanticised’ narratives
 Hyper real, idealised representations
 Saturated primary colours
 High key lighting
 Significant CGI and FX e.g. green screen technology
 Aspirational, escapist characters, often undertaking a quest
 Occasional political narrative themes only understood by an older target audience with significant cultural
capital (e.g. about minority groups)
 Reputation for being ideologically traditional e.g. Disney ‘teaching’ gender roles to young target audiences
 Positive narrative outcomes (happy endings)
 Simplistic, linear narrative (e.g. a Hobbit travels across middle earth encountering danger)
 Propps character roles can often apply
 Iconography includes magic, mystical creatures e.g. Elves and Fairies
 Often set in the past (King Arthur) or in an imagined time
 High production value costume design
 Exhibited mainly in multiplex cinemas
 Escapism as key audience appeal

3.  The dark knight rises
 British American epic superhero movie
 Codes and conventions
 Explosions
 SFX
 Good vs evil
 Male protagonist

4.  Avengers is a superhero film action film
 Codes and conventions
 SFX
 Explosions
 Good vs Evil
 Protagonists

5.  Norbit is an American romantic comedy film
 Codes and conventions
 Relatable main characters
 Happy ending
 Themes locations

6. TV
 Fresh prince of bel air
 Codes and conventions
 American sitcom
 Comedy
 Main characters

7.  Waterloo road is a British television drama series
 Codes and conventions
 Set in a school
 Characters with built up story lines
 Narrative themes
 Structure and format

8.  Eastenders is a British soap opera
 Codes and conventions
 Realistic
 Real setting
 Characters with built up story lines
 Narrative themes
 Structure and format

9.  The only way is Essex reality TV show
 Codes and conventions
 Real life people not actors
 Real situations
 Unscripted
 Potential for conflict
 Audience interactive
 Factual entertainment