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

AS Media- Fatma Mustafa

The Task…Our task was to create a two minute thriller production within a small group. My group was made up of Suweda, Mohydin, Lara and myself, and we were required to work together to make our thriller successful. Before producing our thriller, we had to carry out research and planning tasks, which consisted of looking at existing thrillers, creating a narrative for our thriller and the conventions surrounding it and creating a preliminary task. This pre preparation helped us to increase our knowledge regarding thriller conventions and helped to build our skills on how to use technology required to produce the thriller. After our preparation, we were more confident and able to create a production, and were given two weeks to complete our filming. During our filming process we used the skills we were taught in order to make our thriller conventional to its genre.

Preliminary Task

Creating a thriller

Research & Planning

I believe my thriller follows the conventions of a thriller which is evident throughout my narrative, for example:

Does my thriller follow conventions of a thriller?

• I used low-key lighting during most of the scenes including the murder scene and the antagonists return scene which is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the lighting to reflect the dark atmosphere and foreshadow the frightful events to come.

• My chosen characters are also conventional to the thriller genre as I have a protagonist, antagonist and an anti hero. Although my antagonist and anti hero are females which may slightly challenge thriller conventions as it is more likely for these characters to be taken on by males, existing thrillers do consist of female anti hero's and antagonists. My female characters still behave conventionally as the anti hero commits a murder and the antagonist is seen to take revenge. Therefore, my chosen characters are conventional to the thriller genre.

Protagonist

• The settings used throughout my thriller are conventional to the thriller genre as I used a small white room reflecting a mental institution, quiet roads for the affair and murder scene and a white room reflecting a professors office.

Anti Hero

Antagonist

Lighting Characters

Setting

Generic conventions of a thriller…The generic conventions of a thriller should be evident in many thriller films, below is generic conventions of characters from existing thriller films which can be compared to my thriller film: In the thriller film ‘The Grudge’ the antagonist is a young female who has pale skin and wears a white dress contrasting with her long, dark hair covering her face. She is conventional to the thriller genre as she commits various murders making her frightening and making the audience perceive her as a dominating character. In my thriller the antagonist is also a young female, and she supports these conventions through her appearance of a white dress and long dark hair. By following these conventions my antagonist received the same reaction from the audience as she evoked fear and mystery.

In the thriller film ‘Lucy’ the protagonist ‘is a middle aged male who is seen to take on the role of a professor. Professor Samual Norman wears a dark suit with a tie making him look professional and determined. He is seen to support the anti hero using his knowledge and profession. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the protagonist to look dominant and act confidently making the audience hopeful and trusting the protagonist to defeat the antagonist. This can be compared to my thriller as my protagonist is also seen to wear a suit supported by a white lab coat. He is also perceived to help the anti hero by trying to understand her mental state.

Insanity The Grudge Lucy

Insanity

Using generic conventions of a thriller…

In ‘The Exorcist ’, most of the scenes consist of low lighting, for example, when the antagonist is locked in the room and is seen to act aggressively. The lighting is conventional as it is expected for it to reflect her state of mind and her behaviour which is aggressive and dangerous. Similarly, in my thriller when the anti hero is acting mad there is also low lighting used which is conventional to the thriller genre.

In ‘Se7en’ the setting in which the anti hero shoots the antagonist is a suburban, outside location which is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for murders to take place away from people and places to prevent the individual from escaping or the murderer being identified. In my thriller, the setting where the murder takes place was also an isolated road which was used to prevent the anti hero from being caught, which is conventional to the thriller genre.

In ‘Se7en’ the anti hero uses a gun to murder the antagonist which is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the iconography to be dangerous and for it to prevent the antagonist from causing further problems. The iconography evident in my thriller also includes a gun used by the anti hero to kill the antagonist and prevent her from destroying the anti hero’s happiness.

Setting:

Iconography:

Low-key lighting:

Using generic conventions within my thriller

I ensured that my thriller was conventional to the genre as I followed the generic conventions and the presentation of the micro elements and Mise En Scene I included.

I ensured I used various shot sizes, movements and angles that reflected the character and the atmosphere, for example, before the anti hero shot the antagonist I captured a low angle of the anti hero making her look deceiving and capable of danger. I also used a high angle shot on the anti hero during the flashback pregnancy scene portraying her vulnerability at the decisions she may have to make.

Furthermore, I used close-ups and mid shots of the anti hero allowing the audience to see her facial expressions and emotions clearly understanding her immediate mood changes. On the other hand, I used long shots and high angles on the protagonist allowing the audience to understand his positive intentions and caring persona.

Finally, I used a panning shot on the antagonists arrival placing the camera at her feet and moving upwards which created tension and suspense for the audience who were able to predict the outcome.

Cinematography

Using generic conventions within my thriller…Editing

I followed generic conventions as my editing was conventional to the thriller genre as…

I used slow editing during the build up towards the final scene before antagonist entered the room heightening the tension and suspense for the audience who were unaware of what to expect. This is Conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for slow editing to be used before something happens to increase the fear and evoke emotion from the audience. Slow editing is evident in ‘ I spit on your grave’ when the antagonists talk to the victim before kidnapping her which takes place at a normal pace, however, creating suspense.

I have used fast editing when the anti hero is acting mad in order to reflect her mind set and educate the audience about her illness. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for fast editing to be used during intense and dramatic scenes

I used a shot reaction shot when the anti-hero holds a gun to the antagonist, their individual facial expressions are captured to show the audience their emotions and responses to the situation which is conventional the thriller genre as it is expected for the murderer and victim to have contrasting emotion evoking various responses form the audience.

Using Generic conventions within my thriller…Sound

It is conventional for thrillers to consist of abrupt sound effects and slow, dark soundtracks in order to increase the intensity and suspense for the audience.

My thriller also consists of a sinister soundtrack making the audience feel worried and unsure about further revelations which is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the audience to react in this way. Additionally, my thriller consists of sound effects such as a gun shot and as creaking door which adds to the tension and makes things have a wider impact on the audience.

Using Generic conventions within my thriller…Setting

Conventional settings of a thriller film are likely to be in urban areas such as busy streets, but may also take place on empty roads, deserted homes, and small spaces. My thriller film similarly takes place in various conventional settings, including small, white rooms and empty streets.

When the anti-hero is acting insane she is evidently in a small white room reflecting a mental institution room, the use of the colour white connotes the anti hero’s innocence as despite her aggressive actions she is a victim of her psychological state. When the antagonist returns and approaches the anti hero, the small white room also reflects the anti hero being unable to escape from the antagonist. The protagonist is also perceived to be in white room which reflects his office, the colour white also connotes his innocence and positive intensions.

I also used empty streets when the antagonist catches the anti hero and her lover having an affair, and when the anti hero murders the antagonist. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the setting during intense scenes to be in suburban or quiet locations to prevent other characters getting involved and the murderer from being identified.

Using Generic conventions within my thriller…Iconography

Conventional iconography found in thriller films consist of knives, guns and blood as they add fear for the audience and are responsible for the deaths that occur. Similarly, in my thriller, the iconography used includes a gun, a laptop and a rose which uses the conventions of a thriller film .

The use of a gun is used by the anti hero to kill the antagonist while the rose is given to the anti hero from her lover. A gun and a rose are symbolic of danger and death as a gun is conventionally used to kill people and although a rose has positive connotations of love which reflects the relationship between the anti-hero and her lover, the colour red also supports the negative connotations of danger and death.

The laptop is used by the protagonist to observe the anti-hero’s behaviour which is conventional to the thriller genre as it is a source used to collect data or information.

Using generic conventions within my thriller…Lighting

In a thriller film it is conventional for low lighting to be used reflecting the dark events that occur and the negative impact they will have. It is also conventional for dark colours such as black, grey and reds to be used.

In my thriller film, low lighting is evident in most of the scenes, including when the anti hero murders the antagonist and when the antagonist returns to seek revenge from the anti hero. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for low lighting to be used during murder scenes and when something g bad is going to happen as it increases the tension and suspense and adds to the excitement for the audience.

Dark colours are also used throughout my thriller, for example, black and grey are used on theanti hero to symbolise her persona and her past, and is also used during the flashbacks to demonstrateto the audience that they took place in the past. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for dark colours to be used promoting the dark atmosphere and supporting the negative events.

Using and challenging generic conventions within my thriller…Costume, hair & makeup

In a thriller film, it is conventional for the protagonist and victims to be wearing light colours reflecting their innocentpersonas, while the anti hero and antagonist wears dark colours reflecting their dark intensions and personas.

In my thriller film, the protagonist is evidently perceived to be wearing a light coloured suit with a white lab coat on top promoting his innocence and positive intensions of saving the anti hero from her psychological state, he also wears glasses promoting his intelligence and has blonde messy hair supporting the image of a conventional professor. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the protagonists outfit to determine their positive personality and intensions.

The antagonist wears a white dress which is unconventional as white connotes innocence therefore, in a way it challenges conventions. However, in this case it suggests that she was innocently killed and is back to seek revenge. This is supported by her long, dark hair which promotes danger and the antagonists dark intentions. Therefore, this is conventional to the thriller genre as it creates fear for the audience as they cannot determine the outcome of the events.

The anti-hero wears a grey top and cardigan with dark jeans, the use of the colour grey is neutral and suggests that the anti hero is a victim of her own mind but is capable of murder as a result of her state. The anti hero alsohas dark frizzy hair and smudged makeup reflecting her illness and dark persona. This is conventional to the thriller genreas it is expected for the anti hero's costume to reflect their split personality.

Using generic conventions within my thriller…Facial expression & Body language

In a thriller, it is conventional for the protagonist to have upright body language and confident facial expressions making the audience feel confident about the antagonists defeat, it is also conventional for the antagonist and anti hero to have slouched or upright body language with dark facial expressions making g them look fearful. Finally, it is conventional for the victim to have slouched body language and a frightened facial expression making the audience feel sorry for them.

In my thriller, the protagonist is perceived to have an upright posture supported by intrigued and Confused facial expressions which highlight his knowledge and suggest his determined to identify the anti hero's state. This is conventional to the thriller genre and uses the generic conventions as the protagonist is expected to give the audience confidence and look powerful and dominating through his body language and facial expressions.

The antagonist in my thriller is perceived to have a relaxed body language before she catches the anti hero and her lover having an affair which causes her to react and for her body language to change becoming weak. However, when she returns she is seen to have a straight posture with her head bent and a sinister facial expression to support this, this is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for theantagonist to look aggressive and capable of murder causing the audience to feel concerned regarding others live and safety. The anti hero's body language is also an upright posture and stern facial expression when she commits The murder however, when she is seen to act mad and find out about her pregnancy she is seen to have an unstable posture and various facial expressions such as anger and sadness.

Using conventions of target audience

Existing thriller films are evidently seen to have a 15 age certificate targeting the teenage audience and older consisting of both females and males. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is likely for thriller films to appeal to the young audience as they are more likely to be able to relate to certain situations such as love and relationships that may be ongoing themes. The content involved in these thrillers are likely to be the same consisting of mild violence and swearing which creates a response from the audience without affecting them. For example:

• The ‘Butterfly Effect’ which is a psychological thriller has a 15 rating due to the violence and sexual

references that are evident.

• ‘The Grudge’ also has a 15 age rating due to the mild language and sexual references.

As a result of the majority of thrillers having a 15 age certificate, I also decided to make my thriller a 15 rating due to the themes and content It has which was appropriate for the teenage audience and appealed to them without causing them harm in any way. My thriller has a lack of language and sexual references and is therefore, appropriate for a 15 audience.

Using conventions of opening credits

Opening credits in thriller films are likely to be similar and conventional to the thriller genre through their appearance.

In Se7en the opening credits are white and have a frightful appearance as the words quiver and the font is smudged.

In the ‘Butterfly Effect’ the opening credits are also white and slightly move adding to the fear for the audience.

As a result of the existing, conventional thriller opening credits, I also decided to follow and use the convention by making my credits white and make the font bold and thriller like by making the words move on the screen adding to the tensions and suspense for the audience. This is conventional to the thriller genre as it is expected for the credits to look sinister foreshadowing the negative events that will later occur.

Narrative Structure Of My Thriller The narrative theories consist of Propp who looked at the characters in films identifying 8 characters including, The hero, the villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father. Aristotle believed in the importance of plots arguing that it was essential for a film to have a clear beginning middle and end. This can be compared to Todorov’s theory as he argued that a film consisted of a narrative structure of an equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium. Barthes theory consisted of semiology which was about denotations and connotations and cultural understanding.

As a result of these narrative theories my thriller follows Aristotle’s theory as the plot within my thriller has importance, and consists of a clear beginning middle and end with the tensions increasing towards the end. The themes within my thriller including love, affairs, murder, health and violence all evoke emotions from the audience as they react to the portrayal these themes, for example, when the audience observe the anti hero's having an affair with the antagonist lover the audience envy her for committing adultery but when they identify that she has health problems they evoke sympathy towards the anti hero. Therefore, my thriller follows this narrative structure as each theme evident from beginning to end creates a response from the audience.

Aristotle's theory is also evident in the film ‘Pyscho’ as there is clear structure supported by the theme of murder creating a sympathetic response from the audience.

Character Representation

Overall, my characters are represented conventionally to the thriller genre, as my protagonist, antagonist and anti hero behave and appear as required meeting the audiences expectations.

The protagonist is dressed in a formal and light coloured outfit connoting his innocence and formality, and this is supported by his facial expressions and body language which is an upright posture and an intrigued facial expression. He also behaves conventionally as he has positive intensions and tries to help the anti hero.

The antagonist is also conventional to the thriller genre through her white outfit, dark hair, upright posture and behaviour. This makes the audience respond with fear towards the antagonist.

The anti hero is also conventional to the thriller genre through her appearance as she wears neutral colours, and behaves insane. This makes the audience react with mixed feelings, as they feel sorry for the anti hero as well as envying here for her murderous actions.

Overall, my thriller opening uses forms and conventions of existing thriller films by ensuring I followed the common conventions through the micro elements and mise en scene, for example, low lighting and dark colours are continuously used making the thriller more threatening and sinister. The antagonist in my thriller challenges conventions due to her costume, which is a white dress connoting purity and innocence, however, due to her innocent death the white dress is appropriate as the audience understand that the antagonist was young and innocent before she died. Despite the antagonists costume the other conventions follow existing thriller films.