1. To differentiate between genres To apply Propp’s character theory

2. The Adventures of Tintin
What genre do you think this film belongs to?
How do you know?

3. Film Genres Genre is defined as a style or category.
In a mind map, list as many genres you know.
From your list of film genres, divide these further into sub- genres

4. Genre Definition Match Up
Match up the genre with the correct definition.
Musical
Action adventure
Rom com
Animation
Science fiction
Comedy
Western
Horror

5. Genre Definition Match Up
Action adventure - A film where the hero is thrust into a series of challenges that typically include physical feats, extended fight scenes, violence and frantic chases
Animation - A film in which individual drawings, paintings or illustrations are photographed frame by frame to achieve continuous motion.
Comedy - A film intending to make an audience laugh through amusement and most often work by exaggerating characteristics for humorous effect)
Horror - A film that is unsettling and designed to frighten and panic and invoke our hidden worst fears.

6. Genre Definition Match Up
Musical - A film in which songs sung by characters are interwoven into the narrative, sometimes accompanied by dancing.
Rom com - A film that deals with love in a light, humorous way with true love’s ability to surmount most obstacles.
Science fiction - A film based on speculative, fictional science-based depiction of phenomena that are not fully accepted by mainstream science e.g. extra-terrestrial life forma, alien worlds, time travel etc.
Western - A film that revolves around stories primarily set in the late 19th century in the American Old West.

7. Genre Poster Sort Organise films into genres
What makes you think these films belong in that genre?
Are there any films that did not easily fit into the genre’s definition? Why?
How are men presented in these films? (if they are absent, explain why)
How are women presented in these films? (if they are absent, explain why)

8. Sub-Genres Sub-genres are divisions of genres.
For example, the comedy genre can be divided into 19 sub-genres:
Physical comedy (slapstick)
Alternative comedy (differs from traditional punchlines)
Prop comedy
Black comedy (deals with disturbing subjects)
Spoof (the recreating of a book, film or play)
Blue comedy (typically is sexual in nature and uses profane language)
Sitcom (situational comedy)
Sketch (a shorter version of a sitcom)
Character comedy (derives from a persona)
Surreal comedy (based on absurd situations)
Cringe comedy (a comedy of embarrassment)
Satire (humour based on important news events)
Deadpan comedy (telling jokes without a change of face)
Wit/word play (intellectual forms off humour including puns)
Improvised comedy
Insult comedy
Mockumentary (a parody using the documentary style)
Musical comedy
Observational comedy (pokes fun at everyday life)
Dumb and Dumber Trailer -

9. Hybrids
Hybrid genres blend themes and elements from two or more different genres
Looking at this poster, which 2 genres are blended here?
How do you know? Focus on specific features here.

10. Propp’s Character Theory
Another way of understanding genres is by looking at the way the characters are portrayed.
Vladimir Propp developed a character theory from 100 tales he analysed. He noticed there were 7 different broad character types.
The Dispatcher
Donor
False Hero
Helper
Hero
Princess
Villain
Struggles against the hero
Prepares the hero or gives the hero a magical object
Helps the hero in the quest
Person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative
Perceived as a good character in the beginning but emerges as evil
Character who sends the hero off on a mission
The victim/seeker/winner
Answers:
Villain
Donor
Helper
Princess
False hero
The dispatcher
The hero

11. Propp’s Character Theory
Villain - Struggles against the hero
Donor - Prepares the hero or gives the hero a magical object
Helper - Helps the hero in the quest
Princess - Person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative
False Hero - Perceived as a good character in the beginning but emerges as evil
The Dispatcher - Character who sends the hero off on a mission
Hero - The victim/seeker/winner
Answers:
Villain
Donor
Helper
Princess
False hero
The dispatcher
The hero

12. There’s Only One Jimmy Grimble
Jimmy Grimble is a 15-year-old misfit living in Manchester, where nothing seems to go his way. Jimmy is constantly threatened by the school bully, "Gorgeous" Gordon; he is also not sure what to make of Johnny, a lost-in-the-ozone biker who is dating Donna, Jimmy's mum; and he has a crush on one of his classmates, Sara, who seems to like him, but his powers of speech invariably fail him when he tries to talk to her. Like most Mancunians, Jimmy loves football. He is a fervent supporter of Manchester City and attends home games with Donna's ex-boyfriend, Harry. Jimmy also loves to play football, but while Eric, the coach of his school's team, thinks he has potential, "Gorgeous" is already a skilled player, and when Gordon's father informs the school he will make a large and much-needed donation if their team makes it to the Manchester Schools Cup final, it looks like Jimmy will be on the bench for a while. But when an old woman gives Jimmy a pair of boots that once belonged to one of City's greatest players, his skills on the field begin to change.
Match the characters with Propp’s characters and explain how they match
Jimmy Grimble Trailer -

13. Applying Propp The Dispatcher - Eric Princess - Sara Donor - Old woman
Villain - "Gorgeous" Gordon
False Hero - Johnny
Helper - Harry
Hero - Jimmy Grimble
What value does Donna’s character bring to the story?
Which of these character(s) is impractical for most contemporary films?
G+T students can focus on gender with Donna’s character

14. Home Learning
Analyse the synopsis for a film using Propp’s Character Theory
Due next lesson