LO1 Task 3 Genres

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3: DEFINE the conventions of each genre e.g. period; drama; crime; soap opera; comedy, then clear give examples.

(Give up to 3 examples; do they challenge or conform to the conventions of the genre?)

Soap Opera - Eastenders

Eastenders falls into the category of a Soap Opera. Soaps portray families with real life situations and the audience can relate to it if they experience the same kind of real life situation. In each episode, there are different story lines that occur, and show different problems that the characters are going through. Eastenders can have up to 4 or 5 narratives in one episode. The location is set in the east end of London, it is a busy environment and includes home, a market, a club, a pub, a charity shop, a cafe and a salon, like most communities. 
Within the episodes, there are a lot of mixed emotions, such as characters being happy, sad, angry and lonely. The narrative is restricted and unrestricted, sometimes we know everything and sometimes we are told the narrative at the same time as the characters. In Eastenders, new characters come on the scene unexpectedly, bringing a new twist and adding a different story to the soap. The soap itself is shown between 4 to 7 times a week, it is dramatic therefore reality based. Eastenders is continuous as it is shown every week throughout the year. This soap consists of real life situations such as divorce, rape, murder,

1. Relate it to the real life stories/situations

2. Set in a busy environment/location

3. human emotions

4. Different story lines

5. New characters (unexpected, bringing a new twist)

example of soaps: Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, Emmerdale and Neighbours

For my second choice, I have chosen to analyse a crime program called The Bill.

The Bill is a series which was broadcasted on ITV from October the 16th 1984 until August 31st, 2010. Within the episode there is a lot of action, this creates a more interesting narrative for the viewers. The program features crime, criminals and the lives of police officers. In order to survive each day, they must deal with the frustration of the community and often their own colleagues. The police have to enforce the law and order on a daily basis. The programme features police officers, crimes, witnesses, criminals and the investigation of crimes. High key lightning is used in the Bill, making it realistic to watch. The locations include a courtroom or police station where there are victims or witnesses representing themselves. We know that the bill is a crime series, as the police deal with crimes such as stealing, killing, people taking drugs, and getting involved with fights.

1. Action

2. Different use of ghetto language.

3. Cops, investigations, interviews

4. High key lighting

5. Blood is involved when during a murder.

6. Set in a courtroom or police station setting such as victims and witnesses

examples of crime: Inspector Morse, Midsomer Murders, CSI Miami, CSI New York

My third choice is Situational Comedy (Sitcom)

Citizen Khan is a sit com that was broadcasted last year. The comedy is full of humour and stupid characters. The narrative includes verbal jokes, funny situations and makes the audience laugh, as that is the main purpose. It portrays the life of a Pakistani family, living in Spark Hill, Birmingham and it portrays the Pakistani culture in a positive aspect. The location is mostly set in the family home but a mosque car park and mosque (made in a studio) is also used. There is a different storyline in each episode. What makes a comedy humorous is having funny characters who keep the jokes going, funny situations for example when Mr Khan does not book the wedding venue, and we already know he hasn't done what he's told, making him look funny and things go bad for him. The character Alia is one of the characters that represents a religious girl wearing a scarf, but it is a mockery as she listens to music, reads magazines, and wears tons of makeup.

1. Showing an element of humour because it tells jokes and makes the audience laugh

2. Set in a house

3. Different storyline each episode.

4. Portraying the life of a family living in Spark hill Birmingham

5. It is known as the first South Asian sitcom

examples of comedy: Only Fools and Horses, My Family, Big Bang Theory, Scrubs and My Name is Earl.