The document analyzes the trailer for the film "Walk Amongst Tomb Stones" using Nick Lacey's framework of 5 key genre elements: setting, characters, narrative, iconography, and style. For each element, conventions from the trailer are described, such as the main setting being New York City, the main character being Liam Neeson who is known for action thrillers, narrative events leaving mysteries to intrigue viewers, iconic images of New York, and a dark visual style with dim lighting and filters. The analysis concludes the trailer effectively presents conventions of the action thriller genre to promote interest in the film.

1. Sarah Murray 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
Main setting is New York. It’s a huge city it’s a convention of the action
thriller genre. A black and white shot of a saloon like bar features at the
beginning, as though it was meant to be referring t0 a long time ago.
You’re seeing like a flash back.
Characters –
representations,
stereotypes, behaviour,
body language, specific
actors/stars
Private detective, ex-police officer. Liam Neeson known for his role in
action/thriller movies. You know it’s going to be good because he’s a big
star and it’s a similar styled film to Taken. Which rocketed, everyone
loved it!
The protagonist (Liam Neeson) seems more than capable of handling
himself and you can tell this instantly. But however he does have a soft
side to him. You can tell this when the “black hole sun” cover plays.
You can instantly tell it’s him through the low husky voiceover at the
beginning of the trailer.
Narrative events –how
is the narrative ordered
and structured?
Is it elliptical/enigmatic
(elements left out to
intrigue/entice the
audience)
Throughout the trailer there is numerous scenes which makes you want
to see and know more. Because it’s an action movie it needs that certain
mystery about it. For example there was certain scene which had a huge
impact to the trailer like one part there is a clip of a man jumping off a
high building. Its seriously creepy and intense it really makes you want to
know why he did it and what happens to him. It’s all so mysterious but
hats how they’re going to get people in the cinema to pay and watch the
movie.
Iconography –Well
known or recognisable
people/objects/buildings
mise en scene/ props,
costume, setting,
symbolic codes
Like I mentioned above about the location. The film is set in New York,
one of the most iconic cities in the world. One of the first scenes in the
trailer it is a still shot of New York’s skyline. So straight away you know!
Also within the first few scenes you see guns, violence, cigarettes,
alcohol… typical things to feature in action genre films.

2. Sarah Murray Analysis of Genre: Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements
STYLE: Technical and
audio codes – camera
use, editing,
diegetic/non diegetic
sound, sfx. Mise en
scene/lighting, colour
Throughout the whole of the trailer the clips have filters on them to
make them look darker, that’s a sign that it’s going to be a dark film. At
the very beginning of the trailer the main character has a flashback and
during that flashback the clips are in black and white as though it was
many many years before the now. Overall it has low key lighting and
within the trailer I noticed the sun isn’t out at all . And in the majority of
outdoor clips it’s raining which suggests unhappiness and sadness.
All of the above what I have mentioned helps define this film as being an action thriller because
mostly what I’ve mentioned and what went on throughout the video is what you would typically see
within an action thriller movie trailer. Obviously as well Liam Neeson, amazing actor within this
genre. Iconic settings and iconic objects like New York’s skyline, Guns, alcohol, cigarettes, smashed
up cars… The music is incredibly significant also and the way it is edited. It’s edited quite quickly to
match the fast pace music. The Mise on scene is significant in the way the colours are dull as though
it suggests dark, death almost. Some things are shocking as well it leaves you wanting more. So in my
opinion the trailer does its job perfectly because it definitely left me wanting to see more and find
out what happens.
Name of text: Genre:
Target audience for Walk Amongst Tomb Stones
I would say for this movie the target audience could vary as older people would have seen plenty of
films like this where as younger people around 15-17 really want to see more. It appeals to a wide
range.
The same with the gender, you would think with an action movie there usually only really aimed at
men. However I feel like girls are gripped by this trailer and definitely are left wondering what has
happened to certain people. There seems to be quite a lot of female influence throughout the film
as one of the story lines is about a man’s wife being kidnapped. And obviously she is really pretty to
grab the audience’s attention.