Evaluation Question 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

 

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

The task

We were given a task to produce a conventional two minute original thriller opening scene. First of all, we had to carry out research on the micro-elements used in the thriller genre and what was the conventional of them. Once we understood this, we were put into small groups of four where each member had a different specialism and skill. Based on the research, we were then asked to explore the ideas of the potential thriller opening. Within our groups, we had to create our own thriller narrative based on a conventional narrative structure and we agreed to use Aristotle and Barthes. During the making of our storyboard, we learnt how to use the camera to film effectively and how to capture cinematography skilfully. Once the filming was done, we were given an opportunity to experiment Final Cut Pro and Garage Band which introduced us to techniques of editing and how to create soundtracks which will benefit us for our thriller production.

Does my thriller follow thriller conventions?

I believe that my thriller does follow the thriller conventions due to the traditional, yet exciting use of the narrative which is conventional to the emotions of the audience a thriller film tends to create. Through editing, we have made the opening more exciting by showing quick flash back & confusing moving images of  such as the antagonist in close-up shot and showing his obssessions towards the victim which creates different connotations towards the audience of what they see.

 

Another convention within my thriller is the use of low-key lighting to create an edgy atmosphere. This is used mostly inside the house when the victim arrived to her home and onwards. This allows the scene to look shady, suspicious and anticipates bad intentions. Due to the darkness surrounding, this creates horror and builds up tension towards the audience as they can relate to this feeling as they have experienced staying home alone in the dark which will be easier for them to understand and feel pity toward the victim character.

The gender of the victim is female which is conventional as it’s something often done in thriller as this genre tend to draws more emotions from the audience. For example, a thriller film that have similar concept as our thriller is ‘Prom Night’. The female victim is white, attractive and innocent which create more sympathy from the audience

Non-diegetic sound was added to create more distress and anticipations towards the audience in our action scenes. The sound is spooky and unpleasant at times becoming louder by increasing in tempo when the main events arise which creates more fear and leads the audience to the climax.

Location and iconography were used to create the feeling of isolation and mystery. The location that we used was at home which should be a harmless place to be in, but can also be the most dangerous place to be in. We have chosen to use this to show the victim to have no way out and the iconography that we used is a knife to show that the antagonist’s intentions are deadly.

Generic conventions of a thriller:

-          I have carried out a lot of research into thrillers in order to gain a better perception of the conventions used within thrillers. To be able to create an effective thriller opening, I looked at the target audience appeal and other aspects of thrillers such as the use of micro-elements to create different effects within the scene and create different emotions towards the audience. Furthermore, I researched into age certificates, narrative structure and theories, themes in thriller films and character representations to help my thriller opening to be more successful.

-          The films that particularly helped me use and develop conventions were ‘Scream’ as my thriller film has the same concept of having the female victim being alone at night in a large empty, isolated house. I thought this would be effective as I found out through researching that the female victim tends to draws the audience’s attentions and emotions more which is an advantage to my thriller film and is a way that we  developed conventions.

-          For the use of lighting, I found that low-key lighting is the main features used to create fear and tension when it comes to actions scene. Also to keep the antagonist in the dark which makes the audience feel petrified of him but at the same time feel more interested to find out the truth about this character.

-          The characters that were conventional to thriller films were the antagonist, the victim, the child and the protagonist. Based on this research, I have chosen to have a female victim and an antagonist in my thriller opening as this will help to develop the conventions of my thriller as real media products.

-          The types of setting that were used are in the street and at home. I have chosen to use the street at the start to show that the character is alone at night time and her surrounding look inaccessible. Secondly, I have chosen to use a house to make it look like a trap where the female will have no way out and makes the audience easily relate to the female’s situation and emotions as they have experienced being home alone at night time.

-          The audience response that was achieved from thriller film was fear, frightened, confused, anxious, uncomfortable and haunted. This is due to what they see in thriller movie which affects them in certain ways.

Generic conventions within my thriller: 

My planning and production was influenced very much by my research. Therefore, I believe that I have followed and developed generic conventions of a thriller.

Some examples are shown below:

 

A low angle has been used when the antagonist is on top of the female victim and stabbing her. This was used to show the antagonist’s intentions of killing and to make him look more fearful and in control. I have chosen to use this to rise up the level of fear and push the audience to feel on the edge of their seats as if they are witnessing the crime is being committed right in front of them. This will make the viewer’s feel uncomfortable and feel sympathy towards the female as well as feeling frightened from the antagonist.

 

Non diegetic sound has been used when the female victim open her eyes from the first nightmare. This will sound like a loud banging noise mixed with the sound of the horn quite loud to make it sound more creepy and unanticipated. I have chosen to use this to build up the tension slowly and create fright towards the audience as they will be affected by the sound. This is conventional to the thriller genre because it helps to creates different connotations and creates a start of the horrific scenes that's being lined up.

 

 

 

Fast editing has been used when the female victim is being attacked by the antagonist. I have chosen to use this to make the scene happen in a faster pace to build up pressure and put the audience to the tips on their toes. This is conventional to thriller conventions because confusion and uncertainty is being created towards the audience as they are witnessing the female victim whose being brutally attacked.

 

The antagonist wears dark colour clothing and is hooded up when the female victim finds out that he’s inside her house. This represent him as the evil character as his face is being covered which make his character look more mysterious and creates panic towards the audience. This makes the audience feel frighten and anticipates bad intention coming from his character. His character develops from the typical antagonist character.

 

The antagonist’s body language is shadowy and guarded when he’s being shown in the film. His facial expression looks psychotic and confident which shows that he’s ready to kill. This represents the character as the antagonist and it makes the audience feel alert and terrified towards this character.

The female victim’s body language is relaxed and comfortable when she’s in her room. Her facial expression looks normal and unsuspected as she is feeling safe within her own home. And since she is pretty and looks innocent, she draws more attentions from the viewers. This represents the characters as the victim and it makes the audience feel sympathy and also allows them to relate to her emotions and situations.

Overall, I believe that my media product has used, developed and challenged in forms that are conventions to real media products based on all the information that's being provide above.