House of Cards

House Of Cards

Language

Industry

Audience

Representation

Task 4.  Watch series 1 episode 1 of the 2013 House of cards

•Identify the main character(s)

•Identify the sub-genre(s) of the drama

•Discuss the genre conventions of this type of drama

Synopsis

• Set in present-day Washington, D.C., House of Cards is the story of Frank Underwood a Democrat who, after getting passed over for appointment as Secretary of State, decides to exact his revenge on those who betrayed him.
• This show is a political drama that realistically depicts and details the lives that politicians go through and how ruthless they can be just to achieve there goals.
• The opening scene is dark and straight away shows a dog being killed. The use of an insignificant death automatically sets up a very dramatic tone and establishes Frank as a cold hearted person.

• Adult theme 
• Politically based
• Strong Language
• Nudity; sexually explicit scenes
• Drink and drug use

Characters

Zoe Barnes attempts to use her sexuality to control man; flipping expectations

Conventions of a Thriller

The Thriller Genre ►What are the codes and conventions of Thrillers? ►Why is genre so important? ►What films do I know about? ►What directors do I know about?

What is a Thriller? ► Uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements ► Includes many sub genres: Mystery, Crime, Psychological, Political and Paranoid. ► Atmosphere of menace, violence, crime and murder. ► Society is seen as dark corrupt and dangerous ► Literary devices like plot twist, red herrings, and cliff hangers 4

Politcal drama conventions; A lot of dialog, family and relationship conflicts, a hero who does the same thing.

Subverts stereotypes; Women are smart and strong on the show rather than sexualised and clueless.

Theres no good and bad people its a grey line.