Genre and Frozen

To understand genre and genre theories in greater detail

To be able to apply this to Frozen

A2 key concepts: Genre | Narrative | Representation | Audience | Industry

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

Why are films categorised into genres?

• Genre is a useful hook for an audience• If audience can identify generic codes and conventions

it is likely to raise expectations and assumptions about what might come next

• Audiences find being able to predict the end appealing• Genre conventions allows the audience to guess and

predict what may happen due to the audience’s previous experience with this genre

• Audiences gain satisfaction from being able to correctly predict what will happen next

Evolution of genre

• Genre is always changing – this is gradual and not always noticeable at first.

• These changes can be due to a number of issues such as desensitisation and institutional developments.

• One such development is that of hybrids.• Hybrids can sometimes become genres in their own right

e.g. Docu-soap.• The same could be said for sub-genres.• Discussing the evolution of the genre of your case study may be relevant

but you must also think about why these changes have been made.

Read the fact sheetGenre: Categorising texts

1. Highlight any key terminology2. Underline any theories or ideas that could be linked

to Frozen3. List the uses of genre to both industry and audience4. What is it important to remember when

changing/adapting genre conventions?

A Grade extension: research what Rick Altman said about the semantic and syntactic approach to categorising genre

Repertoire of Elements

• Main areas:– Setting– Technical/Audio Codes– Iconography– Narrative– Characters

The Disney Princess Sub-genre

• There are 11 ‘official’ Disney princesses. Can you name them all?– Snow White, Cinderella, Aurora, Ariel, Belle, Jasmine,

Pocahontas, Mulan, Tiana, Rapunzel, Merida• Looking at the list, what would say are the

conventions of the Disney Princess Sub-genre? Use the repertoire of elements to help you

• How do you think the genre has evolved over time?

Altman

Characters Setting Iconography Narrative

Semantic Syntactic

By employing the semantic/syntactic approach to any film allows us to gain a more sophisticated reading of any genre

Key Term: INTERTEXTUALITY• A postmodern term used when a text is referred to in

another text.• E.g.• Toy Story

• An audience who has seen the original text will appreciate its use and may feel ‘important’ as they will understand the deeper meaning, where others will not.

• The use of specific texts may also help establish genre.– e.g.

Lynda Carter as Principal Powers in Sky High (a Superhero film)

Also the original Wonder Woman

This rewards fans of the genre

INTERTEXTUALITY IN FROZEN

• Bourdieu’s theory of ‘Cultural Competence’ suggests that media industries often use intertextuality as audiences enjoy feeling ‘clever’ when they understand references to other texts.

• Disney also makes use of hidden references or Easter Eggs and, specifically, ‘hidden Mickeys’ to allow audience to feel culturally competent.

Can you spot the Intertextuality, Easter Eggs and Hidden Mickeys?

Rapunzel from Tangled appears at the Party

Can you spot the Intertextuality, Easter Eggs and Hidden Mickeys?

Mickey in the Trading Store

Can you spot the Intertextuality, Easter Eggs and Hidden Mickeys?

Mary Poppins in Olaf’s song

Can you spot the Intertextuality, Easter Eggs and Hidden Mickeys?

Wreck-it Ralph Chocolate

Applying this to Frozen

Write an answer to the following exam question only about Frozen:

A2. How typical are your three main texts of their genre?

Success Criteria:• All should- Show an understanding of genre

and generic conventions• Some should- be aware of audience and

industry interests• A grade: Ideological implications of

conforming to and challenging conventions

• All should use a range of terminology and consider some genre theory.

Specific points to consider for Frozen:

•Its conventions•Use of intertextuality/cultural competence•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 TheoriesGenre /hybrid/ sub-genre

Conventions/ iconography/ narrative/ setting/

characters/ technical codes/ Intertextuality/

Repertoire of elements/ Semantic/ Syntactic