Media Studies – Road Movie Genre

1. Media Studies – Road Movie Genre Year 12 LPHS

2. Exam Question 1(b) In a written response of approximately 400words discuss (describe/explain/analyse), how TWO media texts demonstrate ONE significant code/convention associated with the media genre.

3. Exam Question 1(b) So you will need to choose for part 1 (b) • ONE code/convention and • At least TWO movies To write your essay answer about.

4. Codes/Conventions Associated with Road Movies The following codes/conventions are often associated with the road movie genre: Costume Character types Narrative Structure Transport Choose one of the codes conventions above to study for.

5. Movies/Dates/Directors Choose from at leasttwo from the following: • Easy Rider (1969) Dennis Hopper • Goodbye Pork Pie (1981)Geoff Murphy • Thelma and Louise (1991) Ridley Scott • The Adventures of Priscilla Queen of the Desert (1994) Stephan Elliot • O Brother Where Art Thou? (2000) Joel Coen • Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris.

6. Writing the Essay Answer 1 (b) • First you need to describe the code/convention as it relates to the road movie genre – • e.g. transport – what part does transport play in road movies? How does transport help us to understand the characters, and in turn better help us understand the movie? What does it tell us about the characters?

7. Writing the Essay Answer 1(b) • Then you need to provide examples of your chosen code/convention in the movies you choose to write about. • e.g. costume in Thelma and Louise. What are Thelma and Louise wearing, and what does it say about them? How do their costumes change throughout the movie? What does this signify? How does this help the audience to understand the movie? How does their costume relate to the societal norms of the era?

8. So to summarise… Choose your one code/convention Choose your movies – At least two Describe how the code/convention you have chosen relates to the road movie genre Provide examples of how the codes and conventions are depicted in your 2 road movies Wrap up your arguments with a conclusion – don’t add any new material at this point

9. In a written response of approximately 400 words, discuss (describe, explain, analyse), ONE significant development in the media genre. In your response you should discuss ALL of the following: HOW and WHY the development occurred The significance of the development for the media genre AND/OR its audience Question 1(c)

10. Question 1(c) Support your response with specific examples form at least TWO media texts. You may use evidence from the same texts that you used for your answer to part (b)

11. Exam Question 1 (c) For part (c) you will need to write about: • ONE development and • at least TWO movies

12. Developments in the Road Movie Genre You may like to choose from the following developments • Technological developments • Thematic developments e.g. the change in the story line • Characterisation developments e.g from the ‘buddy’ duo seen in Easy Rider to the family in Little Miss Sunshine • The changing role of women

13. Writing the answer • Ensure you talk about your films in chronological order • Use the earliest film example in your answer possible e.g. Easy Rider this will enable you to show the most development over time. • Show how changing social values have influenced the changes seen in the genre, and how certain movies have influenced later films.

14. So to summarise… Choose one Development e.g The role of Women, or Technological Developments or thematic developments Choose your movies – At least two Describe the Movies in Chronological order Show how Changing Social values Have influenced The movies And how movies Have influenced Later films Wrap up your arguments with a conclusion – don’t add any new material at this point