Blaxploitation

I will also study how the African American representation in Prison Break is stereotypical, being in a prison as a result comitted crimes.

http://www.answers.com/topic/blaxploitation

Blaxploitation films starred primarily black actors, and were the first to feature soundtracks of funk and soul music. Although criticized by civil rights groups for their use of stereotypes, they addressed the great and newfound demand for Afrocentric entertainment, and were immensely popular among black audiences. The blaxploitation genre officially began in 1971 with the release of Sweet Sweetback’s Baadasssss Song. This remained the premise of the early blaxploitation films; film by, for, and about black people.

Stereotypes
These films were made for an African American audience and often showed negative depictions of Caucasian characters; whites were often cast as crooked and racist police officers or government officials, and the racial slur “honky” was frequently used toward them. Italian Americans were frequently portrayed negatively as drug dealing members of the Mafia whom black characters would often rip off. Anti-Italian epithets such as “dago” and “wop” were used in conjunction with “honky” against these characters.
At the same time, the films also created a negative stereotype of African Americans, the audience they were designed to appeal to, as pimps and drug dealers. This stereotype fit with common white stereotypes about black people, and as a result many called for the end of the Blaxploitation genre. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Southern Christian Leadership Conference, and the Urban League joined together to form the Coalition Against Blaxploitation. Backed by many black film professionals, this group received much media exposure and quickened the death of the genre by the late 1970s.

This would related to Prison Break because the Prison Officer is very racist. Also, Michael Scofield's ceel mate Sucre is one of the main characters who has been stereotypically represented as he held up a liquor store. Also, another of Michael's helpers is C- Note who possessed stolen goods and supplies the cellmates with drugs.

C-note Sucre

Prison Break- Season 2 trailer

Review: This is relevant to my study because it shows the narrtivie of Prison Break and the fact that it is very positive.
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/reviewcomplete.asp?TVID=10757

Review: 1 of the 1st i've found that says some negative things about prison break
http://www.exclaim.ca/index.asp?layid=22&csid=774&csid1=5483

Propp: This is relative to my study because it shows Propp's 8 general stages.
http://evolutionarymedia.com/cgi-bin/wiki.cgi?ProppianNarrative,template.html

This is relevant because at the bottom, it shows popular shows that are of the same genre as Prison Break
http://tv.ign.com/articles/726/726260p1.html

http://www.popmatters.com/pm/tv/reviews/prison-break-season-one

This is relevant to my study because I will also analyse how the characters in Prison Break agree to the definition of a stock character.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stock_character

Blogs I have commented on:

Rajan
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=34060026&postID=115809735628243858

Harveen
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=33962213&postID=115834072456366702

Priya
http://www.blogger.com/publish-comment.do?blogID=31196888&postID=115851004251084394&r=ok

Ramneet
http://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=33397877&postID=115791282271009300

Kiran
http://www.blogger.com/publish-comment.do?blogID=32906186&postID=115857806880101376&r=ok

Other Texts: "24"

In the review of 'Prison Break' posted, the writer mentions another American series called '24'. This is also broadcasted by Fox and syndicated world wide.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_(TV_series)

Each season covers the events of a 24 hour period in the life of federal agent Jack Bauer (played by Kiefer Sutherland) as he tries to prevent one or more domestic terrorist attacks, set largely in Los Angeles. The show also follows Jack's colleagues at the Counter Terrorist Unit Los Angeles office, as well as the actions of the terrorists, a civilian family and typically an important political figure such as a senator or president.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0285331/

Nothing pulls me to the edge of my seat like this show. "24" raises the bar for small screen suspense by breaking a few tried-and-true rules. Key elements here are brutal, intelligent and not easily coerced villains, a post-9/11 consciousness that plays out headline speculation with frightening surrealism and a nasty pension for un-heroically killing off what any other show would consider the "safe" characters.

Propp's Theory of character functions

http://www.northern.edu/hastingw/propp.htm

Propp’s 31 functions are too many to remember without a prompt, and probably too many to be applied easily. However, a simplified model (Propp-R) has been developed that merges several of Propp's functions, resulting in an abbreviated list of five functions which, like Propp's, always occur in the same sequence:

1. There is a LACK of something.
2. This forces the hero to go on a QUEST to eliminate the lack.
3. On the quest, the hero encounters a MAGICAL HELPER.
4. (S)he is subjected to one or more TESTS. This may be divided into two: an initial, qualifying test necessary to secure the helpers’ help, and additional tests related to the quest itself.
5. After passing the test, (s)he achieves his/her REWARD.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vladimir_Propp

As well as finding the 31 narrative functions of Propp's theory he also discovered that there are ONLY 8 broad character types in the one hundred tales he analysed:

The villain (struggles against the hero)
The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative)
Her father
The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
The hero or victim/ seeker hero, reacts to the donor, weds the princess
False hero/ anti-hero/ usurper — (takes credit for the hero’s actions/ tries to marry the princess)
[edit]

Criticism

This analysis has been criticized for entirely removing all verbal considerations from the analysis, despite the folktale's usual form being oral, and also all considerations of tone, mood, character, and, indeed, anything that differentiates one fairy tale from another.

Propp

http://www.brown.edu/Courses/FR0133/Fairytale_Generator/theory.html

Propp argued that all fairy tales were constructed of certain plot elements, which he called functions, and that these elements consistently occurred in a uniform sequence. Based on a study of one hundred folk tales, Propp devised a list of thirty-one generic functions, proposing that they encompassed all of the plot components from which fairy tales were constructed.

http://www.northern.edu/hastingw/propp.htm

The initial situation.
1. One of the members of a family absents himself from home.
2. An interdiction (prohibition) is addressed to the hero(ine). [OR: (s)he is ordered to do something]
3. The interdiction is violated.
4. The villain makes an attempt at reconnaissance.
5. The villain receives information about his/her victim.
6. The villain attempts to deceive his/her victim in order to take possession of him/her and/or of his/her belongings.
7. The victim submits to deception and thereby unwittingly helps his/her enemy.
8. The villain causes harm or injury to a member of a family. 8a. One member of a family either lacks something or desires to have something.
9. Misfortune or lack is made known; the hero(ine) is approached with a request or a command; (s)he is allowed to go or (s)he is dispatched.
10. The seeker agrees to or decides upon counteraction.
11. The hero(ine) leaves home.
12. The hero(ine) is tested, interrogated, attacked, etc., which prepares the way for his/her receiving either a magical agent or helper.
13. The hero(ine) reacts to the actions of the future donor.
14. The hero(ine) acquires the use of a magical agent.
15. The hero(ine) is transferred, delivered, or led to the whereabouts of an object of search.
16. The hero(ine) and the villain join in direct combat.
17. The hero(ine) is branded.
18. The villain is defeated.
19. The initial misfortune or lack is liquidated.
20. The hero(ine) returns.
21. The hero(ine) is pursued.
22. Rescue of the hero(ine) from pursuit.
23. The hero(ine), unrecognized, arrives home or in another country.
24. A false hero(ine) presents unfounded claims.
25. A difficult task is proposed to the hero(ine).
26. The task is resolved.
27. The hero(ine) is recognized.
28. The false hero(ine) or villain is exposed.
29. The hero(ine) is given a new appearance.
30. The villain is punished.
31. The hero(ine) is married and ascends the throne

Reviews:
http://www.reel.com/movie.asp?MID=142169&buy=open&PID=10122433&Tab=reviews&CID=18#tabs

The characters are mostly stock, with plenty of recognizable clichés, but a few of the cast members manage to elevate their roles. The steely eyed Miller is a charismatic lead, while Peter Stormare shines as a prison mob stooge, and Robert Knepper brings chilling realism to the series' chief bad guy, a murderous pedophile. Even Stacy Keach manages to rise above his usual hammy performance in order to convincingly play the warden.

Curiously, while Fox News has been accused of being biased toward Republicans and the current administration, the real bad guys in Prison Break bear a striking resemblance to Bush minions and cronies. There's even a topical reference to prisoner abuses in Iraq that have consequences not for the perpetrators, but for the whistleblower. So much for bias. (political Context)

Useful books i found:

An Introduction to film Theory by Robert Stam
- Genre Theory
- Propp

Introduction to film by Nick Lacey
- Propp
- Genre
- Todorov
- Victor Shklovsky

Teach yourself Film Studies
- Genre film

How does a Proppian analysis apply to the genre of 'Prison Break'?

My independant study focuses on the American serial drama 'Prison Break' and will analyse in detail how Propp’s theory of character roles including hero, villain, donor, princess and so on contribute to the type of genre the series is. I will also use other successful American TV dramas such as “Lost”. “Prison Break” produced by Fox is a very successful show in the US and internationally including the UK. I will also discuss how the different character roles such as hero and villain segregates the black people from the white and so the representation of black people is a major issue in the American serial drama.

Furthermore, Propp's structuralist approach on character roles is expanded into 31 narrative funtions. I will determine whether this proposal by Propp of narratives having functions which motivate a cause effect can can be applied to 'Prison break'.

MIGRAIN

Media Language: In the first episode of the first season, Michael Scofield is the first character who is shown signifying that the whole drama is focused on and around him. He is shown in low key lighting getting his infamous tatoo put on. This shows that Michael is portrayed as the "hero" not only through the story line but the media langauge as well. The mise en scene and iconography are crucial in how the genre is shown across to the audience.

Institution: “Prison Break” is produced by Fox and is therefore an American TV serial Drama. It is directed by Brett Ratner.

Genre: 'Prison Break' consists of many hybrid genres such as thriller, action and romance but it is a serial drama. This will be the basis of my proposal- whether Propp's theory of character roles and functions can be applied to a TV series consisting of hybrid genres rather than a film.

Representation: How the characters in their roles are represented and whether it effects the representation of their race/ethnicity. Also, whether this is stereotypical taking into consideration the historical prejudice past of America. Also whether the respresentation of the characters is changed throughout the many episodes which makes the audience feel more sympathetic or hateful towards them.

Audience: The main reason audiences choose to watch films is for entertainment, and genre is a crucial factor in this as it assists in maing films easier to choose and understand. Film producers inlcuding Nick Santora of Prison Break , are aware of the conventions of genres they make themselves produce. However, it is very questionable wether the genre of 'Prison Break' apply to the Proppian theory.

Values and Ideologies: the corruptness of the Fox State Prison that is level 1 security and how Michael Scofield and his "helpers" manipulate this is portrayed very realistically and may reflect the attitudes of Americans towards ethnic minorities in America in its past and present.

Narrative: The narrative of Prison Break is multi-stranded as it focuses inside and outside of the prison life.

SHEP

Social Context:'Prison Break' includes some racism against black people as, for eg. Michael Scofield is beaten up by the white inmates for becoming friends for the black ones. This shows how the treatment of ethnic minorities in todays society in the USA is still present. Also, a genre film (or drama) contains re-occuring patterns and themes that reflect the basic questions, problems, anxieties, difficulties, worries and the values of a society and the way members of that society attempt to tackle those basic questions and problems. This can be applied to Prison Break such as the doctor having to choose between helping Michael to escape the prison with his helper inmates and betray her father (the governor) in doing so or simply turn away and live with the guilty feeling but doing right by her father. The audience would choose for her to help Michael, which she does. So, the basic questions and problems are answered but the repurcutions are to follow.

Historical Context: The role of black people has to be analysed compared to the historical past of America. Also, the critisms of Propp's Morphology of the Folk Tale (published in Russian in 1928) as it removes all considerations of tone, mood, character, and, indeed, anything that differentiates one fairy tale from another.

Economic Context: Fox is owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's news cooperation. Since its launch on October 9th 1986 FOX has grown from an upstart "netlet" to the highest-rated broadcast network among younger viewers.

Political Context: The political history of America can also be analysed and compared with the roles and representation of the characters in “Prison Break”. This includes the corruption of the American government which is portrayed in the serial drama.

Theorists:
Propp- 8 character roles, 31 generic functions
Todorov- narratives having the same simple structure
Viktor Shklovsky- like Propp (a Russian Formalist) split narrative structure into story and plot