Genre Study

1. Drama- Martial Arts

2. IP Man


The Karate Kid


Warrior


3. Narritive Conventions
The typical narritive conventions starts out with a single hero. The hero is usually male. The hero is usually supressed, and does not have heroic characteristics. The hero runs into a problem, and someone helps him solve that problem. In order to solve the problem the hero must fight in an event or competition. The hero trains hard, and eventually wins the competition. The ending is happy with the hero accomplishing his or her goals.

4. Defining Conventions

The typical situations: The main character tends to face a challenge. Winning a fight will help the main character overcome the challenge. In IP Man the General wants IP Man to teach Wing Chun to the Japanese army. IP Man needs to fight Miura to protect Chinese dignity and the art of Wing Chun. In The Karate Kid Daniel needs to learn martial arts to fight of bullies. In the Warrior Brendan and Tommy both need the money to help their families.

Typical characters: The main characters in martial arts movies are men. This is because the films conform to the stereotype of men as fighters. The films are also expect men to see martial arts movies. There are usually female characters that aide the men in these movies. These female characters can sometimes have revealing attire to appeal to the male audience. A counter to the typical male character is Million Dollar Baby, where Hilary Swank plays the role as the main fighter.

Typical dress: Dress style varies with setting. IP Man and Karate Kid both wear Asian martial arts attire. Where as the characters in Warrior wear TAP OUT attire. The dress can be revealing and typically displays the area above the waist. The characters are portrayed as strong, for they typically have six packs and ripped muscles.

Typical Setting: The typical setting varies with each movie. A majority of the movie usually takes place in a place where the main characters train. This can be a dojo, a boxing ring, or outside. Different seasons are sometimes used to show the progression of the main character as he trains.

Typical objects or equipment: There is always training equipment. A common piece of training equipment would be a punching bag. The equipment is based on the setting; thus, it is not always consistent throughout the genre. IP Man and Karate Kid have minimal equipment, where as, Warrior has more equipment. Warrior contains punching bags, jump ropes, punching gloves, and weights.

1. Family comedies

2. The Pacifier

Cheaper by the Dozen

The Game Plan

 

3. Narrative Conventions

The narrative usually always follows the same general direction. The family is initially separated and does not have good relationship. As the film progresses challenges present themselves to the family. As the family overcomes these challenges their bond becomes stronger. By the end of the movie everyone is happy and loves each other.

4. Other Narrative Conventions:

Typical situations: The characters all face a certain challenge that they must overcome together. In the Pacifier Vinn Disel must play the role of the mother. In Cheaper by the Dozen the relationship of the family is strained, because some of the kids pick on the other kids. In the Game Plan Dwayne Johnson must look over a child that he never knew was his.

Typical characters: The roles vary throughout each movie. The whole family plays a role as equal main characters. Men are sometimes put in female positions to create comedy. The men initially fail, but are eventually able to succeed.

Typical dress: The dress is PG rated. The dress is not too sketchy, for the intended audiences are families of all ages.

Typical setting: The majority of the setting takes place at a house where the main characters live. The movie revolves around everyday challenges that is offered by a typical household environment.

Typical look or style: The lighting is always bright to convey positive and joyful emotions. There also tends to be high color saturation to brighten up the mood.

Romantic Comedies

Friends with Benefits

Hitch

Just Go With It

Narrative Conventions:

The narrative typically begins with a characters who look for explicit characteristics in the other sex. Their motivations are usually only sexual. The first relationship is only one dimensional. As the movie progresses the main character realizes that sexual motivations are not the only things that matter in a relationship. The main character discovers that implicit characteristics are truly important. The main character discovers that there is more to life than just sex. At the end of the movie the main character falls in love with a multi-dimensional character.

Other Narrative conventions:

Typical characters: The characters used are mainly male. Males are stereotyped as only sexual, and that is what they look for in a partner. At the end of the movie the main character rejects this stereotype and falls for the cliché of love. The characters can also be female, as in the movie Friends with Benefits.

Typical dress: Extremely revealing, and sometimes also include sex scenes. This is to appeal to the male audience, who go to the movies with female counterparts. The intended audience is typically above the age of 18.

Typical dialogue: Dialogue is usually inappropriate. Since it is a comedy there is a heavy use of sexual innuendos. Swearing is often used.

Typical body language: It is usually seductive or revealing. Body language may also become awkward to add humor to the scene.

Typical look or style: The look or style is often bright and highly saturated. This is done to convey feelings of happiness and joy. A tone of jubilance is created. People are not able to laugh when there is a melancholy tone.