Task 2.4 (Generic Conventions)

For the next step, we have to choose 4 film genres and look at the conventions and iconography of each genre. The conventions of a movie are things you expect to happen in the genre, i.e something happening between the protagonist and antagonist, iconography are the objects that you would expect to find in the genre, i.e something that the antagonist or protagonist will use. The four genres that i have choosen to use are; Sport crime (football hooliganism), Horror, War and Family.

The conventions of a sport crime would usually revolve around two sets of rival supporters fighting with each other over a particular event thats going to happen between the two teams that the suporters support. usually the protagonists are the supporters that are focused on more by the camera who are followed in their actions untill they meet the antagonists who are looking to end a equilibrium that could exist in the protagonists. The main fight would usually be weaponless and more of a fist fight to the end, you would usually expect the protagonists to be the "underdogs" they may have less people and still end up winning the fight and obtain bragging rights over the other sets of supporters.

The iconography would be of a couple of Jack-the-lads in "chavish" clothes in a working class environment. Possibly in trouble with the law quite often and involved in illegal activities such as drugs. Probably have low paid jobs without family and put all their endeavours into the fights they have, however despite these negative traits the audience will grow to like them. Some video evidence i have obtained in this genre is the movie "The football factory" the protagonists here are football fans following Chelsea with the main character of Danny Dyer who fits the iconography and conventions of the genre;

The conventions of a horror movie; are that an unknown entity will kill defenceless people typically the stereotypical dumb blondes untill coming up against the protagonist can start to unravel the mysteries behind the killers actions untill a final showdown, usually the antagonist will be be killed and the protagonist may have avenged the other peoples deaths, in the deaths at the beggining from the protagonist you would expect a lot of blood and gore, after the killer unexpectantly creeps up on the victim before a brutal murder.

The iconography of horror include having murder weapons usually something sharp like a knife which will result in a bloody death. the killer will often be masked thus leaving the identity under cover. The clothes that the killer wear will often be black or red to be the icon of evill the final confrontation is usually in a derelict, isolated building. here is some video evidence from horror movie "The Ring" which fits the iconography and conventions of horror;

The conventions of the war genre would be a set of protagonists usually given to the army most sympathised with the audience, for example a war film made in America featuring an American army would have the American Army as the protagonists, they may be underdogs but will end up defeating the antagonists who may have the better placing, most of the war films are during World War 2, the leader of the protagonists will often be the main character who has a determination for his army to become victorius. usually the protagonists end up winning the war.

The iconography of the film genre the weapons and uniform of the armies, Machine guns, tanks, possibly boats and aeroplanes will be featured, to make sure the scenes are action filled and realistic to a wartime setting, the uniform in the armies will all be the same amongst the separate armies, sometimes icons of the death of the protagonist may die in bomb blasts with limbs missing and mental pain to overcome within the armies. this is a clip from American war film "Saving Private Ryan";

The conventions of the family genre are usually fairytale themed, with the protagonist on a mission to do something, but confronted by comical obstacles in the process that are comical and enjoyable to all ages, espechilly children though. or the antagonist could be someting or someone who wants to end a period of equilibrium as the agent of disruption who the protagonist will have to fight. The protagonists are almost always succesful and would usually tend to result in rescuing some sort of tresure or girl, with the antagonist being put in jail or an embarrasing future.

The iconography could be that it is an animation as many succesful family films are animations as it appeals to children (the main target audience of cartoons on t.v). Sometimes magic may be used as a weapon to defeat the antagonist or a special power that the protagonist may have. video evidence in the Family animation Shrek;