AS Level Media Studies Blog: Spy Genre Research

Having unanimously agreed on this genre for our context, I began research into it.

SYNOPSIS OF THE GENRE:

Spy genre films - which are often considered sub-genre to thriller and/action - deal with the subjects of fictional espionage and organisational conspiracy. They either depict this realistically (adaptations of John Le Carre) or employ it as a basis for fantasy (the 'James Bond' film franchise: the most genre prominent).

As time has progressed, the genre has become a significant aspect of British cinema, with leading directors like Alfred Hitchcock and Carol Reed even making notable contributions - many of their films are set in the British Secret Service.

CODES & CONVENTIONS:

Espionage.
Good organisation devoted to stop the evil one (binary opposition theory; Levi Strauss)
Exotic and exploratory depictions of culture/settings.
Suave, sophisticated, well-dressed protagonists.
'Temptress' females/femme fatales who serve distraction to the protagonist, typically as a sub-plot.
Propps' character theory of the 'damsel in distress'.
Manipulative antagonists (typically heads of illicit organisations) who enact only for personal gain/interest (money, authority or even ownership - connotations attributed to greed).
Heavy use of gadgets and weaponry.
Disguises/alter egos
Theft of documents/files/formula/technology - something good an antagonist can acquire to utilise as a force for evil - typically in malice.
Henchmen/personal bodyguards.
Implausible life or death scenarios the protagonist is pitted against and escapes with relative ease from.
Realistic military themes.
Chase sequences (foot and vehicular).
Fight sequences.
Pyro-techniques/explosions.
Aristocratic figures.

EMINENT FRANCHISES:

'James Bond' film franchise (1963-2016)

Number of instalments: 24.
Total Revenue Gross at Box Office: $14.7 billion.
Average Gross Per Title: $612.5 million.
Average Gross Per Minute: $518.
Average Gross Per Second: $8.

Most recent director: Sam Mendes.

Institutional involvement: Columbia Pictures,
EON Productions, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures.

Daniel Craig (who plays the eponymous protagonist) found great success from this franchise; his performances attracted critical acclaim and attained him numerous academy awards. The '2007 Best Actor' award from Empire Awards for his debut in 'James Bond: Casino Royale' (2007) for instance. Testament to Craig's acting since the said debut; the franchise has only become increasingly fruitful/profitable amongst foreign audiences. Whilst this was happening remotely when Pierce Brosnan played the Bond prior, Craig ultimately served catalyst for the franchise's current success.

What intrigued me particularly about Craig was how he brought dispute as to whether a 'female gaze' theory existed contrary to Laura Mulvey's already-famous 'male gaze' theory. The iconic 'beach sequence' in his debut installment was the causation of this. In this sequence he is seen through a tracking/mid-shot slowly emerging from the sea, half-naked with his mesomorph figure on full display: purposely enabling female voyeurism.

Link to sequence:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaOZjjmjd7w

Link to Franchise Website:
http://www.007.com/

'Bourne' film franchise (2002-2016)
Number of instalments: 5.
Total Revenue Gross at Box Office: $1.2 billion.
Average Gross Per Title: $306 million.
Average Gross Per Minute: $78.
Average Gross Per Second: $1.3.

Most recent director: Paul Greengrass.

Institutional involvement: Universal Pictures, Relatively Media, Captivate Entertainment, Barrandov Studios.

Matt Damon (who plays the eponymous protagonist) found great success from this franchise - just like Craig did in 'James Bond'. Damon's performance in this role is what he is most known for.

'The Bourne Identity' (2002) - the first instalment - saw Nick Powell attain the '2002 Most Outstanding Achievement in Fight Chereography' award from 'American Choreography Awards'.

Link to latest instalment's social media promotion:
https://www.facebook.com/TheBourneSeriesUK/?brand_redir=270106119696186

TEXTUAL ICONOGRAPHY/ENDORSEMENT: