Page 195 - A Handbook Genre Studies in Mass Media

CHAPTER 7

group of infants, is drawn at the eye-level of the children, rather than
looking “down” on them from an adult level. This angle sends a respect-
ful message, that the program takes the Rugrats’ interests and concerns
seriously.

Music

Music can have a subtle, yet powerful influence on individuals, enhancing
our moods or distracting us from our immediate concerns. Music can
also serve as a narrative device, in several respects:

• Eliciting an affective response: Music can arousing feelings of
excitement, tension, drama, or romance in the audience that can
reinforce media messages.
• Accentuating the visuals: A film score works in conjunction with
the visuals, to “punctuate” or emphasize the major points of the
presentation.
• Signaling a narrative shift: Music can signal a transition between
scenes.
• Providing narrative continuity: A tune, rhythm, or chord can provide
thematic continuity or foreshadow an upcoming event.

Music is typically employed as a narrative device in soap operas. For
instance, an emotional scene is often punctuated by a single plaintive
organ note that underscores the drama of the moment and alerts the
audience that something significant has occurred. In addition, musical
transitions move the story from scene to scene.

Lines of Inquiry

1. Every genre has a distinctive “look.” Select a sample of programs
belonging to a genre and identify the production elements that make
up the style of the genre.
2. Select a cross section of programs belonging to a genre and discuss
the use of production elements.
a. How do production elements contribute to the worldview of the
genre?
b. What do the production elements disclose about the premise of
the genre?

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