Question 1

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

I have been creating a thriller opening sequence within my group. The group consists of myself, Ryan Samuels and Charlie Stewart. We have produced a short sequence about a girl who gets kidnapped whilst on her way home through a forest. We shared production roles between us this is what was set:

 

• Producers - Jess, Charlie and Ryan
• Director - Charlie
• Actors - Harry Osborne, Ella Sawtell, Morgan Boughey and Molly Van-Wijngaarden
• Music producer - Ryan
• Screenplay writer - Jess
• MES co-ordinates - Jess
• Editors - Charlie and Jess
• Director of photography - Ryan and Charlie

Explain what the generic conventions are of a thriller films are, relate to other successful thriller and examples.

 

Conventions are essential within a film, which relates to the genre. They can be any of the 4 micro elements which are cinematography, sound,  editing and mise en scene. An example of a convention I used was mise en scene, specifically lighting, low key lighting is use frequently in thriller films because of the suspense it builds. The suspense is created because the shadows and darkness making the film mysterious. Theses conventions help when making a film effective, they make the narrative clear, and add to the emotions being created. A successful thriller film containing conventions for the genre which I have analysed is 'Mama'. I watched the opening sequence for this to do my research of mise en scene in thrillers. It uses lots of conventions for example the setting, the scene I watched is set in a run down house in the middle of an isolated forest. This is conventional because the audience can understand that any character in this location is in danger and could be a possible easy target for an antagonist. Due to this being clear the audience then begin to feel worried for any characters who are in this shot because they know the dangers of it.

Discuss how you followed the generic conventions. Must refer to your film in detail. Use specific examples and elements.

 In my product the stereotypical codes and conventions of a thriller are followed by using the micro elements to emphasise shock, suspense and surprise. An example of a convention used in my work is mise en scene, specifically lighting. Low key lighting is used throughout my opening sequence, it is conventional because it creates mystery and darkness, this effect is stereotypical as it makes the audience feel tension and worry. These emotions are very common when creating a thriller film, they are used a lot because it engages the audience to continue watching to find out the outcome.

Another convention used in my thriller sequence was a sound element, which was non diegetic. Specifically music, which was slow, eerie and strange. The slow music is conventional because of its power throughout the sequence, it is used to add interest and emotions to scenes which might not be as interesting without some sort of sound. The music stops any boring moments by constantly giving the audience the worried and suspicious emotions which make the opening effective. These emotions are conventional as the aim of a thriller film is to scare because the tension that sound builds up adds to the rest of the film and the shock or surprise elements.

A convention used within the narrative and micro elements of my thrillers opening sequence was the shock, suspense and surprise guidelines. This means that in the production all assets needs to try and meet at least one of the three guidelines and create shock suspense or surprise for the audience. Creating these three emotions for the audience throughout the film means the audience will constantly be reminded of the thriller genre and constantly scared. This is conventional because these three effects or commonly created in a thriller film to make it effective, they are strong emotions which react well the narrative.

My characters are also conventional, for example I have a stereotypical female victim as one of my main characters. This is conventional as women are often viewed as the weaker sex in society who are dominated by men. So having a female victim means the audience automatically view her as submissive and fragile, when the male antagonist is brought into the scene the audience foreshadow who could be in danger or who might be in control. Also knowing that she could be vulnerable shows the audience the danger she is in when a threat is shown, it creates the worried emotions stereotypical for a thriller.

Another mise en scene element, the location of my film is another convention used that represents a thriller. My opening sequence is set in a isolated forest which not many people go to. This location is conventional because of the way is portrays the characters situation. It makes it clear to the audience that any characters in the setting are in danger and far from any help or hope of escape. It also shows the audience how the antagonist has a better chance of getting their target without being caught or without them getting away. The location is conventional because it adds depth to narrative and the danger of the victim. This danger means this audience begin to feel concerned and frightened for the characters, these are conventional feelings for the audience to be experiencing as it creates suspense for the rest of the film.

Some of the cinematography elements I used were also conventional. For example a low angle looking up to the antagonist to show power. This shot was used in order for the antagonist to look strong and scary it is conventional because it makes the audience feel worried for the victim and what they are up against. The antagonist needs to be seen as dangerous for the other characters because if the audience can see this they become on edge and afraid of the victims outcome. It builds suspense for the rest of the thriller.

Explain how your opening sequence defines the thriller genre. Consider the codes and conventions of a thriller film, micro elements.

 The conventions define thrillers because they build the right effects in order for the audience to figure out what genre it is. Without thriller conventions the film would be hard to identify, it would be boring and not create many emotions or relationships between the audience and characters. Conventions define my thriller by emphasising on the narrative and making the product more relatable. An example of a convention used in my work which defines the genre, is a cinematography element of a high angle shot used looking down on the victim, Cathryn. This shot makes it clear to the audience what position the character is in and allows them to see that she is the stereotypical victim who is vulnerable. The angle used emphasises  on a stereotypical thriller victim and defines her situation more. Some assets can also challenge the definition of a thriller. Micro elements can be used which do not match with the genre. An example I had within my product was the sound track. Some upbeat non-diegetic music was used which was really relatable to a thriller. The sound made the work strange and exaggerated on the twisted plot of the antagonist, which created a good effect. This shows that some parts do not have to be conventional to a thriller to be effective.

Compare your thriller film to another film to show your understanding of generic conventions and developing a real thriller film. Include examples that demonstrate your knowledge and understanding.

A film that I think uses similar conventions to mine is ' Cabin In The Woods'. This film and mine both have many thing in common for example both uses look key lighting throughout to make the product mysterious and they both have a victims and antagonist who are very conventional to the genre. Using similar convention as 'Cabin In The Woods' means that the product my group and I have made is relatable to the stereotypically conventions of a thriller, this means that because we have used these elements our work is more likely to be successful with the audience.