1. INTRODUCTION:
In your intro state that there a number of different ways that filmcanbe analysed. Go onto state that two such ways are
via the analysis of a film’s genre, or genre analysis, andanother method is application ofauteur theory. Give one brief
example for each. For example, whenapplyinggenre analysis to Cowboy’s and Aliens, it is recognised bythe audience as a
western, as withinthe mise enscene there is use of iconic costumes andlocations. Whenapplying auteur theoryto
Inceptionthis film is anexample work howChris Nolan’s work has a distinctive, non-linear style inthe narrative, making
him anauteur.
MAIN PART 1
Define what anauteur filmmaker is, givingone briefexamplesof a film alreadystudied. Define how film analysts canapply
auteur theory, via consideringwhether a filmmaker is:
· The principal creator ofa film(e.g. Tarantino)
· A filmmaker who demonstratesa particular style (e.g. TimBurton)
· A filmmaker who demonstratesinnovation(e.g. James Cameron)
· A filmmaker who valuesartistic merit over commercial success(e.g. Luc Besson)
· A filmmaker who makes films with similar themes (e.g. Scorsese)
MAIN PART 2
Choose ONE film andapplyLacey’s Repertoire ofElements to it. (Make sure this is a filmof your ownchoice andnot one
you’ve studied before)Trainspotting.
Define:
· Character (thinkabout representation)
· Narrative (5 act structure)
· Iconography
· Setting (mise enscene)
· Technicalandaudio codes (lighting/editing/SFX/sound)
For each of the above areas, define how the filmestablishes GENRE
MAIN PART 3:

2. Choose ONE film andapplyAUTEURTHEORY to it. Make sure this is a film of your own choice andnot one you’ve studied
before)
In this part write about howthe filmmaker fits into one or more of the categories below:
The principal creator of a film
A filmmaker whodemonstrates a particular style
A filmmaker whodemonstrates innovation
A filmmaker whovalues artistic merit over commercial success
A filmmaker whomakes films withsimilar themes
As always, ensure you start your analysisof bothfilms bystatingtitle, director, year of production, and genre, followedby
a BREIF synopsis.
CONCLUSION
Summarise how the two methods canleadto a wider appreciationof filmand help inform film analysts, supportedbyone
more brief example, froma filmof your choice
Lacey’s Repetoire ofElements
Laceyconsiders the repertoire of elements that work in combination to suggest a media text belongs to a particular genre
or mix of genres. He provides a useful frameworkto followwhenanalysinggenre. Laceybreaks a text downintothese five
areas to identifythe elements ineach:
Setting – Character – Narrative – Iconography – Style
Narrative:Thisrefers to the storystructure as well as the specific narrative devices, which genres employ(car chases,
gunfights, weddings, etc.)

3. Characters:Narrative is usuallydevelopedthroughcharacters and their functions (hero, villainetc). Some characters are so
closelyassociatedwitha genre that theybecome generic types. For example, in horror movies, the ‘finalgirl,’ who
maintains her personal dignity, usuallydefeats the psychopath.
Setting:Some genres have a distinct locationbut thiscanbe subject to change, for example horror films have movedfrom
the gothic to the suburban. Genres canalso be associated withtime periods like the gangster films set during prohibitionin
America but successful films have updated this.
Iconography:Films containvisual and audioimages, which become instantlyrecognisable andassociatedwith the genre.
Eg:Gangster films feature the iconic ‘Tommy’ gun spraying bullets inthe hands of a man ina sharp suit usuallystanding on
the running boardof a car.
Style:Iconographyrefers to the objects but style describesthe waytheyare presented. Ca mera angles, editing, lighting
and the use of colour allcontribute to the style of a film.
In this, I am going to state that there a number of different ways that film can be analysed. I will be able to state that two
such ways are via the analysis ofa film’s genre, or genre analysis, andanother method is application ofauteur theory. My
examplesthat I am usingare ‘Violet & Daisy’ (starring Saoirse Ronan, Alexis Bledel) – Director:GeoffreyFletcher, and
'Transpotting'Directior:DannyBoyle
Part 1:
There are manydifferent ways to analyse films andhowtheydiffer fromothers.
When analysinga filmyou wouldhave to consider;settings, narrative, iconography, characters, themes, ideological
message andconventions. If some of these areas don’t conform to their genre it maymeanthat the director is anauteur.
An Auteur is a personwho is verycreative and creates unique pieces of workwhichdon’t conform to its considered genre.
This means that theymayencounter criticismfor their work. You canoftentell a film wasdirected bya certainpersonfrom
their unique style whichis foundinsome of their previous work.
Alfred Hitchcock was a director of psychologicalthrillers and wasconsideredanauteur .This wasbecause his camera style
was considered verydifferent at the time. He would make the camera move ina waythat wouldmimic a person’s view.
This brought the feel ofempathytowards the character. Manyother directors have nowtaken onAlfred’s style as it was
very successful.
Quentin Tarantino, Wes Craven and Francis Ford Coppola are alsowell known auteurs. When analysing films you canfind
aspect that youwouldtypicallyfindinthat certain genre. Inadventure films youwill oftenfind that the editing is veryfast
and the locationis quite tropical. In crime/dramas there usuallycar chases inurbanareas. The film Napoleon Dynamite
(Jared Hess, 2004) is considered a teencomedy, yet some aspect a verydifferent from typical teen comedies. The main
character inthe film is a ‘geek’ that hasstrange traits and a strange personalitywhich makes himhumorous. The comedy
aspect of the film is consideredveryoddcomparedto other comedies. The jokeswithinthe filmare verysubtle meaning
that not allof the audiences wouldunderstandit. I wouldconsider it to be a deadpancomedyas a lot of the comedy
comes fromthe monotone conversations the characters have withinthe film. JarredHess the director of Napoleon

4. Dynamite also directed Nacho Libre which is also consideredto be verydifferent from its genre. Bothfilms have
characters that don’t conform to the genre.
Pulp fiction is a Crime filmdirected byQuentin Tarantino in1994. The film contains themes of bothcomedyandviolence
which is consideredstrange within its genre. PulpFictionis a non-linear storyabout Americanmobsters inLos Angeles.
Throughout the filmthere are scenesof gunviolence, druguse andsometimes the scene canbe consideredoffensive or
outrageous. There are manysettings withinPulp fictionthat are verycommonincrime films such as suburban streets and
strip clubs. Other settings don’t conform to its genre such as the Diner. There are manycharacters withinPulpFiction that
you wouldnot consider seeing in this genre of film. Vincent (JohnTravolta) and Jules (SamuelL Jackson), the hit menthat
you are introducedto at the start of the filmare verydifferent from typicalmobsters. Both characters have beengiven
personalities whichbounce off eachother in a comedic way. It is verycommonincrime films that there wouldbe a Femme
Fatale. The Femme FatalewithinPulpFiction is Mia Wallace the crime bosses wife. Like all Femme Fatales Mia is a strong
manipulatingwomen who is seen within the filmmanipulatingand flirtingwith Vincent. She is also her own victimas she
takes a lot of drugs andusesher bodyto get what she wants. Inmyopinion the non-linear storytelling within PulpFiction
is verycommoninmost crime films and television programmes. A lot of themshow events from the endof the storyat the
beggingto bringsome mysteryto the filmor programme.
In Pulp Fictionthere is a scene where Marsellus Wallace andButchare talking in a clubat a table. The mise enscene within
this scene is as you would expect fromthis genre; the mobboss is sat at a dimlylit table while the personhe is talkingto is
in full view ofthe audience, there are also various ‘goons’ keeping an eye onthem. ThenVincent andJuleswalk incasual
clothes, I consider this quite strange as you oftensee hit menonlyinsuits.
Leon The Professional (Luc Besson, 1994) is a crime/drama/ thriller about an assassin that rescues a girl and takesher in
when her familyis killedduring a corrupt police raid. There are themesof drugs andextreme violence withinthe film that
shockedmanyat the time. Evenmore shocking was the suggestive relationshipbetweenLeon and Matilda the two main
characters. I believe that Luc Bessonis anauteur as he broke conformityand pushedthe boundaries whenit came to
political correctness. The opening to the film is like manycrime film, it has gun violence andcrime. In later scenesyou see
the assassinina positionnot seenin normalcrime thrillers;he is looking after a young girl. He certainlyhas an individual
style which couldbe considered to strange. Luc Besson knew that his filmwas controversial and that it was not going to be
a success in the box offices. This shows that he puts artist merit before commercial success. Healsodirectedfilms such as
The Last Battle and Subwaywhich were not received well bythe public andgot verylowratings. Some consider hisfilms to
be works of art.
Looper (2012, RianJohnson) is set inAmerica 2044. 30 years intothe future crime bosses use illegal time travel to get ridof
bodiesthat theyare unable to get rid of. The live bodies are sent back through time to people calledLoopers, who shoot
the personandthendispose of theminanyway theycan. The Loopers findsilver bars on the victimwhichis usedas
payment. Joe Simons is our main character whois a Looper;he is playedbyJoseph Gordon-Levit. Further on in the filmhe
finds out that hisloopis closed, meaning that he has to stopworkingfor the bosses and kill his future self. Unfortunately
for him, his future-self escapes andifthe present Joe doesn’t findhim he will be killedbyhis bossesinthe present. The
future Joe then sets out to kill a dangerous crime bossfrom the future, but as it is the past for him he hasto findandkill a
child. As the storyunfolds the present Joe triesto protect the childfrom his future self. Looper is anengaging filmwith
actionandsurprise aroundeverycorner. Some parts of the film are complex andsometimes not veryeasilyunderstoodas
you can understand byreading the plot above, but so are most films about time travel. I believe that the futurestheyhave
createdinthis film are veryviable andrealistic as special effects are not over the top like most Sci-Fi films. As this filmis
somewhat believable, people canrelate to some of the issuesbrought up inthis filmand compare them withlife today.
Maybe this film waswhat the writer believedthe future would belike; witha lot of crime and homelessness. The film is
aimedat teens and onwards. Some scenes containviolence and gore that could be considered disturbing. In other scenes
there is some mildnudityanddrugs. Towards the end ofthe film you beginto understandthe concept more andmore,
leaving yousaying ‘Oh I understand now’. But despite ofthis revelationyou stillhave a few questions unanswered. Rian
Johnsoncanbe considered as an auteur as Looper is verydifferent from normalSci-Fi films. The character of Joe canbe
considereda badpersonas he killsfor a living yet you as the audience are onhis side. Oftenin Sci-Fi’s the maincharacter is
often a heroanda goodperson.
The film also toucheson the corrupt law enforcements anddrug abuse; not manydirectors woulddare touch on such
stories as some might see themas politicallyincorrect. This is verysimilar to the issues inLeon the Professional. InLooper
there are manysceneswith gore and violence, but there i s alsoa scene where a childkillsa man, leavingthe walls covered

5. in blood. RianJohnson did take risks whenit came to making Looper andit was alsoa workof art, but unlike some Auteur
director’s films Looper was verysuccessful.
Main Part 2
Research: Trainspotting (1996)
Institutional Information
Trainspotting is a British crime comedydrama film based onthe novel 'Trainspotting' writtenbyIrvine Welsh. The film
follows a groupof heroinaddicts in a late 1980's economicallydepressedarea of Edinburgh but alsoexploresother themes
such as urbanpoverty. The film was releasedin the UKon the 23rd of February1996 andwas directedbyEnglishfilm
director, DannyBoyle, also famous for directingSlumdog Millionaire (2008). The film had a budget of £1,550,000 and
gained £72,000,000 at the UKbox office. The filmwas produced byAndrewMacdonald distributedbyPolygramFilmed
Entertainment. The filmbecame highlysuccessful and ranks 10th bythe British Film institute on the top100 Britishfilms of
all time.
Target Audience and Genre
As the filmfollows a younggenerationof people the primarytarget audience will be primarilybe 18 – 30 year olds whofeel
like theycanrelate more to the situations expressedin the film. The film is a crime comedydrama film and stereotypically
it is maleswhoenjoythe crime comedygenre. Due to the film exploring quite serious matters suchas drugs and
relationships the filmwill not be targetedat anyone below the age of 18.
Opening credits
Openingcredits are used to introduce the audience to the maincharacters, for example Begbie andSpud. Thisis done by
freezingthe imageson screen whilst their names come up insans seriffont. The use of thistypographykeeps the
atmosphere informal whichis alsoreinforcedbythe character being introducedbytheir nickname and not their actual
name. This is quite commonincomedyfilms as it immediatelyconnects the audience to the character. We begin
the opening sequence witha black background with the writing-Channel four films presents. It thentakes us straight into
the actionwhicha chase. Twomen, one predominantly infocus and one further backwards. Chasing them is twosecurity
men;This instantlytells us who the maincharacter is andthe genre of the film. To make this knowledge even more
obvious, we see things falling out of the twomen’s pockets, suggesting theyhave committed theft. This refines
the genre downto a crime-drama rather than just crime.Thisis because the men are clearly lower classandit’s petty
crimes instead of the kindof white collar crime you maysee in ‘Now YouSee Me (2013)’. Another hint to tell us that the
person in the foreground is the maincharacter is because we hear his voice; “ChoseLife’.

6. As theyrun and further oninto,
the character makes a philosophical speech about choosing life. This introduces us to the character and introducesus to his
views and lifestyle.

7. This poetic speech usesrepetition ofthe word‘choose’, thisperhaps links to the debate on whether being addicted to
drugs is a choice. He further goes onto say- ‘..but whywouldI want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life, I
chose something else, andthe reasons?there are noreasons, whoneeds reasons whenyou’ve got heroin’. Thiss ets the
tone of the film where drug addictionis clearlygoingto be a mainpart of the story. This is what make trainspotting
a hybrid ofnot onlycrime-drama, but socialrealism also. The character starts offthe speechpositively, saying how
choosinga normal lifestyle is safe andhe obvious option. as he goes onhowever, he starts swearing andsays negative
things about a ‘normallifestyle’. Thissarcasm alsotells the audience that the filmmayfeature light comedy, increasingthe
number of genres thisfilm couldbe assignedto.
Characters
By usinga non-diegetic voice over the viewer instantlyfeels connectedto the maincharacter as it is easier for us to feel
empathyfor him if we see his point of view. Typicallyanaudience maysee a character ina negative wayif theyare doing
drugs but because the director haschosen for the main character to doa monologue almost explaininghis actions the
audience are more likelyto approve ofit as he is not promoting drugs.
Once introduced to Renton, we see him in his flat smoking, it thenflicks betweenhim onhisownandhim andhisfriends
playing football. It seems as thoughits a five a side matchinwhichRenton’s team seem to be particularlyrough. This tells
us a lot about the characters. As theyplay, it pauseson each character and we find out each oftheir namesinthe same
fashionas we didfor Renton. This tells us that all these people are keycharacters. During this section, it keeps flicking
betweenhim alone inhis home and the football pitch.

9. An interesting matchonaction links
Rentonbeinghit in the face bya football, and him in his flat fallingto the groundhigh. It couldbe seenas quite comical,
once again telling the audience that the film will be funny. The actionlinks the two scenes as iftheyare relevant. Perhaps
showing how his idiocyis what leads him to his drugaddiction. The point of view shot of the ball coming towards
the audience and Renton, thus eliminating anydoubts that he is the maincharacter.
Location
The first shot is taken froma worms eye viewandis anextreme long shot whichthe mise enscene establishes the location
to be a stereotypical busyBritishhighstreet. This is suggestedthroughthe characters wearing casual, moderndayclothes,
high keylighting is used and the weather is typicalof what you’dexpect to see inBritain. Well known highstreet shops can
also be seensuchas Boots andM&S. The town does not seem to be iconic or have connotations of wealthmaybe
suggesting that it is locatedina low to middle class area.
The first locationwe see is the street the boys are runningdown. It introduces that thisis perhaps a Britishmajor city. I t is
not made obvious but the scottishaccent suggests the film is set inscotland.
Next we see his apartment. This tells us a

10. lot about Rentons socialclass andhis ideology. It features mould, brokenwalls and anemptyroom, this could suggest his
loneliness.
The other location we see is the astro
turf football pitch. It seems fairlyordinary, yet official. Like theyplayperhaps in a pub league.
This low to middle class is reinforced in the next locationinside anapartment/house. Thisis suggested because there is no
flooring, wall paper or realfurniture in the scene, this maysuggest the idea that theyspendall their moneyon drugs and
do not have anyleft over to buyother necessities. The idea ofthis lower class is againsuggestedinthe shot of their
football team wearing non-professional clothes in comparison to the other team.
Narrative
The film follows a groupof heroin addicts ina late 1980s economicallydepressed area of Edinburghandtheir passage
through life. Inthe film opening we immediatelyrecognise that there will be a theme of drugs throughout, this is
emphasisedinthe narrative at 1:37 when the voice over says “whoneeds reasons whenyou got heroin”. The audience can
make assumptions fromthis that the storyline will be basedaroundhisstruggles withdrugs andthe pro blems associated
with them. The theme ofcrime is suggestedat the start ofthe opening as the maincharacter appears to be runningaway
from professionallydressedpeople, this crime is alsoreinforcedbythe useof illegaldrugs.
Technical analysis
The use of a worms eye view shot is useful to establishthe location, inthis case it is also used so the audience get a clear
image ofthe actionhappening as the maincharacter runs intothe camerasview. This thencuts to a medium closeup of
the men running, this helps to introduce the maincharacter andshows his expression. Thisthen quicklycuts to a close up
of the characters legs showing the pace in whichtheyare running, it is also used to introduce the people chasingthem.
Their costume suggests that theyare of a higher wealthor importance than the main character.

11. The upbeat non-diegetic score helps to addto the informalatmosphere the opening creates, it also adds to the tension
createdbythe quickcuttingshots that keepthe audience wandering what it is theyare running from. Thissongcomes
under the genre ‘punkrock’ which is stereotypicallyenjoyed bythe younger generationof 18-30 year olds meaningit will
appeal to the films target audience.
At 0:52 an actionmatchshot is used whenthe ball kicked towards the camera inone shot is kickedawayfrom the camera
in another, this type ofshot gives a comedic effect which links to the genre conventions. The shot is alsousedto establish
the difference in professionalismbetweenthe two teams againaddingto the informalrelationshipbetweenthe
characters.
Several action matchshots are also used at 1:14 whenthe maincharacter is knockedout bya ball in one locationand
knockedout byheroininthe other, this mayalsobe seen as comedic to the audience which will reinforce the genre. The
camera then pans aroundthe passed out character whilst his monologue draws to a close this creates a build upto the
words ‘heroin’ at the endof the opening.
Lighting
Lightingis generallyhighkeybut not contrasting. Thisperhaps shows an everydaymundane theme. Hisapartment includes
shadows. This could suggest that his arrogance is perhaps fake, his nervousnessliesinthe shadows.
Cinematography
Point of view shots are usedto show who is the maincharacter, it canalso connect the audience to the film.
Other than this, manyof the shot
types are ordinary. When Rentonpasses out, we see asteadicamshot of hisbodybreathingheavily. This shows howthe
drugs are affectinghim physically.
The establishing shot shows a low angle shot of the street withRentonsprint past. This tells the audience that there is a
sense ofurgencywithout revealing informationabout Renton.

12. Low angle shots for the footballgame
show how the boys are aggressive towards the oppositionandto be seen as superior.
The shot from withinthe car is perhaps
a point of viewshot from the drivers eyesight. We never actuallysee this person. This couldsuggest that Rentonrecklessly
goes round relying onother people without appreciation.
Editing
The openingsequence features Match-On-ActionwhenRentonfalls to the ground.
Eye-line match is noticeable whenthe football comestowards Renton’s face.
The 180 degree rule is present duringthe whole sequence , e.g. the football pitchis onlyshownthe one wayround.
Sound
The film starts witha fast paced cheerful kindof beat. Its not bleakor depressing toconnote drama or suspense filled
to connote crime, it is neither. I think thisis to showhowthis is all normal for Renton, sowhyshould the music be nothing
but normal, as if everythingis okay. This non-diegetic sound is fast-pacedto reflect the chase scene.

13. We alsohear diegetic sounds like footsteps, andfootball noises. Thisis to tell theaudience that this is part ofthe story
rather than a self-containedopening sequence likeCasinoRoyal (2007).
The voiceover of Rentontells us about his nationality, lifestyle andideology, it alsosuggests genre.
Titles
The openingsequence feature veryfew titles. Thisis irregular as we are introducedthrough character andstoryline rather
than something soformalas writtentext from the filmmakers. Perhaps this is anunusual attempt to make
the audience feel more involvedinRenton’s story, as if it is real.
Enigma Codes
Whyis Renton a drugaddict?
Where is his drug addictionleading?
What are Renton friends like, dotheyshare lifestyles or is rentonthe outcast?
Conclusion
In conclusion, thisis aneffective opening as it appeals to the young target audience andintroduces the theme ofdrugs. It
also sets the location and introducessome ofthe main characters allwhilst sticking to the conventions of its genre.