This document analyzes the genre elements of a film trailer based on Nick Lacey's framework, which includes setting, characters, narrative, iconography, and style. The summary provides details for each genre element seen in the trailer. It analyzes the urban setting of New York City and stereotypical characters like the ex-cop protagonist and kidnapped woman. Story elements like suspenseful scenes and a narrative enigma are discussed. Iconic props and a reference to "Little Red Riding Hood" are made. Technical elements like camera work and sound are also considered. In conclusion, the document determines the genre is an action thriller based on these analyzed elements.

1. Analysis of Genre: Lacey’s Repertoire of Elements
Ryan Sharman
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 first scene of the trailer shows a panning shot of Washington
Heights, New York and this instantly means that this is where the rest of
the film with is shot. Also New York City has a bad representation of
being a rough city and in most films a lot of crimes happen so it relates
to the location and story.
Characters –
representations,
stereotypes, behaviour,
body language, specific
actors/stars
Ex-cop (Liam Nesson) who is the good guy or protagonist throughout the
film who kills bad people as favours. Instantly you suspect that Liam
Neeson is going to be the good guy because he has a representation of
playing similar roles in a majority of films, and being an ex-cop is a
stereotype of an action horror. The women that gets kidnapped is a
beautiful women a stereotypical character when it comes to these types
of films mainly action horror.
Narrative events –how
is the narrative ordered
and structured?
Is it elliptical/enigmatic
(elements left out to
intrigue/entice the
audience)
There was many scenes during the trailer which makes you want to know
more leaving the person watching on edge. This is called a narrative
enigma for example it gives you the story of a man’s wife being
kidnapped but she wasn’t just taken at random they took her for a
reason, so from that suspenseful story it makes you want to know more.
Another scene in the trailer shows a man dramatically jumping off a
building, this is shown with thrilling and suspenseful music catching the
viewer’s attention and because of this it will make the people watching
want to see more.
Iconography –Well
known or recognisable
people/objects/buildings
mise en scene/ props,
costume, setting,
symbolic codes
An iconic scene I noticed in the first trailer was that the good guy usually
does something bad to make him lose or quit his job; in the trailer he
accidently shoots an innocent bystander whilst trying to save the day
which explain why he’s an ex-cop. Another iconic prop used in most
action thriller movies is that the good guy always seems to wear a big
black coat as a type detective stereotype.

2. 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
During the trailer I noticed a different perspective of how the story looks
and how it could have a different representation. I compared it to the
fairy tale ‘Little Red Riding Hood’ because of the stereotypical kidnapped
character wearing a red coat which represents her as red riding hood and
the people that kidnapped her to be the big bad wolf.
Summarise how the above helps to define genre in the text
What I have written above defines the genre of film as an action thriller and I’ll now explain in little
detail some of the points that prove this. Looking at the mise en scene, the first 5 seconds shows the
location of where the story will unfold and this is New York City, because of the chosen location and
the type of city it is known to be quite rough and dangerous. This gives you a basic idea of what the
story is about.
Target Audience
I think the target audience is 15-50 years old, this type of film is more appropriate for middle aged
teen to older adults. I think that this film is suspenseful and thrilling which most people between the
ages I mentioned will enjoy when watching this trailer. A very exciting but chilling part of the film is
when the ex-cop (Liam Neeson) asks a man on top of a building ‘Where can I find them?’ and after
he says this, the man throws himself off the building. This makes it more exciting to watch and grabs
the watchers attention and interests them into going to see the film.