HW 1a - Existing film still analysis (DYM)

This Is The End (2013) film still

I have chosen to analyse a film still from the comedy 'This is The End'.

Narrative

You can instantly tell form this hot that the characters are extremely surprised and unprepared for what they have just seen. The facial expressions on the characters signify the shock they are experiencing which also implies they are not use to this situation happening. Furthermore, the blood on the floor and barricades on the windows suggest that something traumatic has just occurred and that therefore they have reason to be scared/worried. In addition to this, the majority of the characters can be seen in underwear and a shirt, i.e. minimal clothing/bed wear; this could be pointing out to the audience that these characters are genuinely in fear as they may have just been interrupted sleeping. Their clothing also makes them seem much more vulnerable and henceforth makes the audience know that they could be an easy target for whatever caused the blood and house damage.

Genre

The extreme contrast between the blood, which you would usually associate with death, the cereal, which you would usually associate with a happy/family film and the ridiculous clothing choices which accompany them can lead the audience to believe that this a comedy film. When this many extremes are played against each other comedy is created as there reasoning for being near each other is somewhat unknown/ridiculous. Furthermore, all the actors in the film still are extremely well known within the comedy film world so their presence in the shot automatically makes the audience think comedy. Also, all these comedic features within the still work together to ensure the audience is deterred from thinking the film is of any other genre.

Audience

In this still the audience are probably unsure as whether to laugh or not as the facial expressions and clothing are humorous however the uncertainty as to what is to happen next may cause the audience to feel anxiety rather than humor, In spite of this I do think that the audience will in the majority laugh at the characters as their confusion and vulnerability in itself creates humor.