JOUR 3745 1st Edition Lecture 12Outline of Last Lecture The movie IndustryI. Productiona. DistributionII. Marketing Moviesa. Blockbustersb. Storytelling III. Ideologya. Auteur TheoryIV. Encoding and Decodinga. Techniques of interpretationb. TextsOutline of Current Lecture:I. Social Problem genre a. Characteristicsb. 2 opposing doctrines II. Disaster gamea. Featuresb. Typesc. Natural disaster III. Dystopian Gamea. Priming theoryCurrent Lecture:Social Problem Genre:Characteristics of social problem films:These notes represent a detailed interpretation of the professor’s lecture. GradeBuddy is best used as a supplement to your own notes, not as a substitute.- Originally referred to a cycle of films made a right after WWII that focuses on anti-Semitism, racism, war trauma, and other social ills - Distinguished by subject matter:... spotlight a contemporary issue larger than the personal problems of the protagonists - Attempt to prompt reflection, discussion, and action about a pressing concern of American social life- Primarily dramas but could include satires and comedies similar to Dr. Strangelove(1964)2 Narrative Modes- Realism (function)- Melodrama (function)Issues- Historical Facts – Realism vs. Melodrama - Simplified, condensed, prettified!Protagonists vs. Antagonists- Protagonist’s function- Antagonist’s function- Ideology and plot- Notable feature of social- problem films- Romance2 Opposing Doctrines- Entertainment Doctrine vs. Social Responsibility Doctrine- Social commentary- “We must play our part in the solution of the problems that torture the world. We must begin to deal realistically in film with the causes of wars and panics, with social upheavals and depressions, with starvation and want injustice and barbarianism under whatever guise.. if you have something worthwhile to say, dress it in the glittering robes of entertainment” Critics of Social Commentary as Entertaining - Marxist- individual responsibility (heroes/villains) vs. societal issues (inequalities, poverty)- Cathartic effect Current Uses- Hybridization, subplots, and latent messagesDisaster GenreKey features of a Disaster film- Disrupt Normalcy- Before the disaster - Provides hope for post disaster- Institutions (government, education, hospitals, banks, etc.)- Fulfill deep human needs- How will normalcy return?- Threatens the masses- Individual characteristics symbolically represent larger groups- Connect characteristics - The disaster is not the conflict- Start with normalcy - Learn about conflict- usually human relationships- Story becomes more than disaster- There can be conflict between two characters (twister)- Conflicts between a character and an institution- Conflict between 2 institutions Types of Disasters- Failed technology (computers, science errors)- Apocalyptic (end of the world)- Alien Invasions- Terrorist attacks- Natural disasters- Diseases - Accidents Dystopian Genre - Def: a futuristic, imagined universe in which oppressive societal control and the illusion of a perfect society are maintained through corporate, bureaucratic, technological, moral, or totalitarian control- Dystopian films- through an exaggerated worst case scenario (melodrama) make a current criticism about a trend, societal norm, or political system Some characteristics of the dystopian genre - Futuristic (in response to a disaster)- Totalitarian government or dictator- Police force - Passive oppressed masses- Concentration of money and power- Good (the people) vs. Evil (government, technology, etc.)- Protagonist – hero- Antagonist – dictator, government, climate change, etc.- Social commentaryMedia Effects Theory: Priming Theory - Associative network of memory- Activation/ excitation- Considerations/