Danny McGinn

IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE

FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

INTRODUCTIONIn many ways our media project ‘The Entertainer’ used, developed and challenged forms and conventions of real media products. As a group we decided that we wanted to create a horror/thriller film. During pre-production we looked at real media products that shared similar content as the one we wished to create, these consisted of: Insidious, It, Halloween and Paranormal Activity.

CONVENTIONSWe also decided that we wanted to use blood within a scene as this is conventional of a horror film and would help to identify the films genre immediately. The use of blood also allowed the progression of the scene to increase in pace and cause intrigue within the audience. There were several other uses of the colour red. For example, the clown outfit and the typography used within the title sequence. This was done purposely due to the colour red’s connotations of danger and horror.

NARRATIVEI felt that we effectively constructed the narrative of our project. Although we decided to adopt a stereotypical non-linear layout within the horror genre for the storyline by presenting a horrific event before the calming period, I feel that we developed it through using the idea of mystery. We aimed to create a starting scene that not only confused the audience but also led them to question whether it was a future/significant event that would take place or if it was just a dream. On the other hand, a benefit of using this generic storyline layout meant that it was made easier for the audience to identify the films genre.

CAMERA WORK AND CONTINUITYIn order to create the pace and progression of our film we tried to use camera work and editing in order to create continuity. The best example of this would be the continuous transition between the dream sequence shots and the main character shown in the bed. We used this technique as it helped to create continuity within the storyline and the events that were taking place. In terms of camera work, we also tried to use a range of different shots in order present the action taking place in a more unique yet suitable way. We also took inspiration from a scene within ‘Paranormal Activity’ and attempted to use this specific over the shoulder handheld tracking shot within our opening sequence.

SOUNDThe sound used within our project was used to give off the impression that the event taking place is not actually taking place and is instead just a dream or a lapsed memory recall. It also helped with the identifying of the genre. The use of silence was also used after the title shot in order to clearly show the transition between the dream and the now calming period. It also helped to create a more comfortable atmosphere for the beginning of the film and we felt that this would be needed in order to release the tension that we would later build up again.

MISE-EN-SCENEThe mise-en-scene for this project was of high importance to us as we saw it as a way of really defining our film from others within the genre by using generic horror stereotypes but developing them. The location for example was used as it was ideal for the dream/foreshadowing events scene and would help to identify then genre, although we developed on it and instead of presenting it in the dark we presented it in daylight. This wasn’t done on purpose but it effectively caused confusion within the scene, which was the aim of the scene. The fact that it is in daylight also makes it a bit more daunting as it suggests to the audience that the killer within this film can strike at any time and the use of the woods causes familiarity with the audience, genre and the setting.

TYPOGRAPHYThe only text that was used during this opening sequence was used to introduce the actors names and the title of the film. The typography used was the same for both with the only difference being the colours used. The presenting of the actors names was done over shots that they were featured in and were presented in white, they were also positioned to draw attention away from the content of the shot. This allowed us the possibility of presenting information within these shots that most audience members would not pay attention to, this meant that we could later use it within the storyline to gain a reaction from the audience. The title shot was presented on a black background, was coloured red and was larger than the previous typography used, this was done to clearly identify the genre, if it was not already clear, and to once again bring the connotations of the colour to the audiences attention.

ICONOGRAPHYThe visual conventions that we presented within this project all helped to create familiarity between the audience and the genre. Some examples of iconic horror genre features used within our film include:

• -A clown

• -A nightmare/foreshadowing events scene

• -The setting of the woods

• -Blood presented within the scene

• -A tense scene followed by a calming period

• -A dead body discovered by the main character.

• -The use of the colours red and black

INSPIRATIONFrom the research that was undertaken before the production of this film we found a number of films that helped to inspire ideas of our own. We also went on to use and develop some existing horror genre film scenes in order to create instant familiarity with the audience, as it is more than likely that our target audience will have seen one of the already existing films we researched. The main films that we took inspiration from were: Insidious where we gained inspiration to possibly pass off the opening scene as a foreshadowing event seen from a out of body experience; It and how it plays on the fear of clowns; Halloween and how it cleverly portrays a psychological murderer and Paranormal Activity and the whole idea of being possessed by an evil spirit, which could later be a twist in the plot. Also we not only took inspiration from films, during the time of pre-production the internet sensation of ‘The Northampton Clown’ was taking place and we felt that producing a film about a killer clown would be ideal at the time.