In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?

By Erlehta Sfarca

Tormented is a horror film opening my partner and I have produced. I believe that our final media product has met the same standards of the codes and conventions shown in real media products. We’ve shown this through the use of mise en scene, costume, props, lighting, sounds and shot types. With all of these elements applied to our media product, including the research we have done on horror films to help us, i think we have met the codes and conventions of a horror film.

Tormented begins with Annie walking down the street whilst she is being followed by someone; she doesn’t know this. We show this by using a POV shot of the follower, this created tension for the audience as we know she is being followed. The enigma code of not knowing who or why someone is following Annie, captures the codes and conventions of a horror film.

We used a close up shot of the follower walking towards Annie’s room whilst she is sleeping, to build up the tension for the audience. This intensively engages the audience, which makes them want to continue watching the film. This allows the opening to be effective and a good example of a horror film.

Notice how the followers face is never revealed. This is a very popular effect in scary films. The idea of not revealing the villains face, is another form of an enigma code, which is designed to keep the audience very intrigued.