The document provides examples of film clips and analyzes how each clip establishes the genre within the first two minutes. For the film "Stir of Echoes," the clip uses low lighting, creepy music, and questions about death to set up the psychological horror genre. In "Zombie Land," shaky camera work, graphic violence, and a sarcastic narration establish the comic horror genre. For "Shutter Island," fog horns, a confused main character, and psychological cues through sound and camera work set the scene for psychological thriller.

1. Is the genre established? How genre is established. What else do the audience find How do the audience find this
What is it? What conventions are in the clip. out? out and how are they made to
feel?
Stir of Echoes The clip opens with low-level Introduced to 4 characters. The audience are made to feel
Psychological horror lighting and a low angle shot of a The young boy dominates most uncomfortable from the diegetic
house. shots and diegetic music of the sounds of a small child humming
Eerie, creepy non-diegetic music young boy humming over the overlapped by non-diegetic eerie
continuously played through out opening credits suggests he is music.
the opening 2 minutes. main character . However the mood changes as the
The mention of death ‘Does it The boy’s parents are going to film cuts to a small child playing in
hurt to be dead’. have another child. the bath and audience feel at ease
Child talking to the camera as if The husband’s sister in law for a small period of time.
someone was there. doesn’t respect or like him.
However no-one is there The direct address and questions
suggesting that the child is to the camera suggests the father
possessed by a demon, poltergeist is unaware of his child’s mental
or a ghost. state.
Kevin bacon one of the main
character is portrayed as a
protagonist due to his kind nature
towards his family and handsome
looks.
Zombie land The clip opens with a shaky shot Although we don’t physically see The audience are made to feel
filmed with a digital camera to the main character we are uncomfortable while people are
Comic Horror
create a sense of realism presented with the character eaten alive.
(traditional for horror films.) narrating the opening few The sarcastic tone in the
The multiple death scenes minutes and explaining the narrator’s voice and the
throughout the opening 2 minutes zombie disease that has taken synchronous sound of burping
emphasis the suggestion the film is over America. alters the audience’s gut feeling
a horror. The sarcastic tone in the of being uncomfortable and
narrator’s voice and the provides some humour and
Blood and gore dominate most synchronous sound of burping provide a sub genre of comedy for
shots which again suggests a alters the audience’s gut feeling the audience.
horror genre. of being uncomfortable and gives
The intense non-diegetic music the film a sub genre of comedy.
combine with fight scenes help The human race has been wiped
create tension within the opening out be zombies and America is no
two minutes. longer America.
That there are rules you need to
follow in order to stay alive.

2. Is the genre established? How genre is established. What else do the audience find How do the audience find this
What is it? What conventions are in the clip. out? out and how are they made to
feel?
Shutter Island The clip opens with an The pair of men are going on a The audience are made to fill
Psycho logical horror establishing shot of a ship cursing journey to a island or logon . uncomfortable with the mid shot
through thick mist. Leonardo Dicaprio traditionally and close ups highlighting the
There a constant Eerie fog horn considered a protagonist seems apprehensive state of the
(Diegetic) is played through the apprehensive about the journey. character.
clip creating a mysterious Leonardo The shady body language and
atmosphere. Dicaprio steps onto the deck and gestures from the other man
We are introduced to a main stares briefly suggesting that he suggests he is holding information
character within the first 2 struggles with trust issues with his back on the reason/where about of
minutes (Leonardo Dicapiro). fellow character. this island.
The Diegetic sound of the The contrast in body language and
character talking to himself in facial expression between the
mirror, creates the image that two characters suggest that they
character has a confused mental are holding vital information back
state( Psychologically unstable). from each other.
The close up of the character
looking out the window with a
bamboozled expression again
highlights his psychologically
unstable.
The synchronous sound of the
chains rattling creates suspense
and thrilling atmosphere
supporting my idea that the film is
a thriller.