- What are 3 genre conventions (crime drama) that are evident? List and explain any connotations.
- conflict between the different policing techniques - this can be seen between the protagonist and the policeman of the past- it connotes that the people have changed and evolved, and now use different methods and techniques.
- props such as guns are used - this connotes violence
- there is a mystery which needs to be solved, and if it isn't it can result in the death of a young girl.
The Hermeneutic Code refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. this can be seen for example as no knows who killed the lady, and the do not know what happened to the protagonist and how he finds himself trapped in the past.
3. How does the episode demonstrate stages of Todorov's theory of narratology? (equilibrium/disequilibrium)?
Tzvetan Todorov's narrative theory suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure where they begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when equilibrium is restored. this can be seen as the policeman is doing his normal job, then his girlfriend is captured and finally he finds himself trapped in the past, with a very similar murdur taking place.
4. What is the main way that Life on Mars differs from other crime dramas? What is its unique selling point (USP)?
the fact that the crime scene is happening in the past, but the police officer comes from the modern days.
5.Why do you think producers would have incorporated this change? (in what ways might it appeal to the target audience).
it appeals a mass target audience, because older people could relate with the things that took place in the past, but it also targets a younger audience, who would relate with the modern police man, and sympathies with him and the ways he us trying to integrate.
6.How does the program demonstrate elements of Steve Neale’s genre theory? Explain referring to the necessary theory.
Steve Neale is saying that a film and it's genre is defined by two things:
How much it conforms with a genre's stereotypes and conventions. How much a film subverts the genre's stereotypes and conventions. |
1. Settings- Police head quarters
ReplyDeletePlot- Mystery at the start (enigma)
Costuming- Suits that appear well-worn. Some police outfits, noticeably on female officer.
2. Correct
3. Agents of Disruption- appear to be the car that transported him back to the 1970s. However, also the enigmatic killer who has possibly kidnapped the protagonist's girlfriend.
4. The flashback concept. A concept that is generally original to the series, not commonly used in crime genre, though more common in Sci-Fi
5. This is done to explore the difference between the two time periods police forces. It explores the difference in their approach to solving crimes and their treatment of other officers (females). It shows us how far we've come.
6. Genres may be dominated by repetition , but are also marked by difference, variation and change.
Genres change, develop and vary as they borrow from and overlap with one another. They are not systems they are processes-they are dynamic and evolve over time.