Analysis of Genre: Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements

In his book Narrative and Genre: Key Concepts in Media Studies, (Palgrave, Macmillan), Nick Lacey defines genre elements as constituting the 5 key areas below:

setting character narrative iconography style

When analysing texts, use Lacey’s repertoire of genre elements as a guide. Fill in the boxes below, making notes on the genre conventions that you see

Genre elements Conventions Setting- mise en scene/ location

The trailer begins with an establishing shot of New York therefore straight away we see a typical genre convention due to the fact that Action films are often set within the big city.

Characters – representations, stereotypes, behaviour, body language, specific actors/stars

From the trailer it is clear that Liam Neeson is the protagonist, again typical of this specific genre due to the fact that he is well known for his roles in previous action thriller films such as Taken. Throughout the trailer he is portrayed as the stereotypical strong lead male character often seen within this genre of movie, due to a number of conventions including his stern tone of voice throughout, his dress code including the stereotypical long jacket and his behaviour such as shooting people.

Also a young, attractive woman is featured within the trailer, again a typical convention of this particular genre.

Narrative events –how is the narrative ordered and structured?Is it elliptical/enigmatic (elements left out to intrigue/entice the audience)

The trailer creates the sense that it is a non-linear narrative due to the fact that some of the scenes are in black and white. From looking at the trailer we know that the film includes themes such as kidnapping and death, all typical conventions of this particular genre. We also know that the protagonist was once a cop but now he is a off license private detective "doing favours" for people, therefore automatically creating an enigma, encouraging us to go and watch the film because we want to know why he is no longer a cop and what happened to the people who were kidnapped.

Iconography –Well known or recognisable people/objects/buildingsmise en scene/ props, costume, setting, symbolic codes

Liam Neeson himself is an iconography of this particular genre due to the fact that he has featured in a number of movies of this genre therefore we automatically associate him with action thrillers.

Iconography has also been used within this trailer by having a girl in a red costume, being followed by a man who we assume from the trailer is going to kidnap her, therefore this is symbolic of the fairytale little red riding hood where a young girl is kidnapped by the wolf.

STYLE: Technical and audio codes – camera use, editing,

In terms of audio codes, digetic and non-digetic sound has been used to emphasize the genre of this movie, including digetic sound such as the protagonist narrating in a stern toned voice, and non-digetic sound such

Analysis of Genre: Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements

diegetic/non diegetic sound, sfx. Mise en scene/lighting, colour

as gun shots and dramatic music all of which are typical conventions of an action thriller. In terms of technical codes, the editing throughout the trailer is fast paced, again a typical convention of this genre.

Summarise how the above helps to define genre in the textAll of the conventions such as the fast paced editing, the narrative including themes of kidnapping and death, the iconography of using Liam Neeson and the stereotypical representation of the protagonist instantly defines the genre Action Thriller.

Name of text: Walk Amongst the Tombstones trailer Genre: Action Thriller

Target Audience of 'Walk Amongst the Tombstones'

I feel that this movie would appeal to a younger demographic aged between 16-30.