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

• In my film opening, I included the genre of action-thriller. The action-thriller genre has been going on since the 1980s, which in terms of film genres is quit modern. This is because action-thriller films generally carry a convention of the use of technology and famous attractions in order to be effective. In the past, obviously high end technology was not in use, but with films having such big budgets, it’s easy for them to film in attractive cities like Paris (Taken). Old action-thriller films tended to use robots instead of humans as villains, as this was an easier way to plot a film.

• Within my research task, I watched various action-thriller films, including Dark Knight Trilogy, Taken 1 & 2, Fast and Furious and Terminator. One common convention I saw was the lighting and colour in the introduction of the protagonist. For example in Taken (my main inspiration), the popular scene of Liam Neeson’s phone call was shot in the dark with dim lighting. This shows the character’s portrayal of a ‘dark side’; this chosen lighting also creates a mood/theme of suspense and builds up tension. This convention of dark lighting on the protagonist was also conveyed in my film, as I thought it shows my audience how the dad in my film has a dark side, and is a very serious character.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcjY-VN8_l4

• Another convention included within my film is the choice of cinematography, for example the use of high angle and close-up shots, were used in order to build up tension. An example of this would be the high angled shot of the girl in my film, this shot was to portray to the audience her level of inferior, it also paints an image that the whole world is caving in on her. Another critical use of cinematography, was the close-ups on the girls face, when she was getting kidnapped. Close-ups give the audience a clear image of the characters emotions/facial expressions, in this case Amy was frightened and intimidated by the three kidnappers. A typical convention I included in my film, was the use of a vehicle, by watching the James Bond movie ‘Skyfall’, I realised that including a car into my movie, it would bring more action and a rage towards it, and as it is a popular form of transport, this will engage my audience more. Also, another popular convention within action/thriller film is the use of a weapon, for example a gun. As my film is just the opening two minutes, I didn’t want to reveal my characters full profile through the choice of a gun. Therefore, close-ups of the dad’s anger and frustration, when Amy is kidnapped is a alternative way of showing the dad’s love and ‘family man’ title.

From reviewing my film and watching other action-thrillers, I realized I subverted conventions linked with cliché action-thrillers. An example of this would be the choice of protagonist, within my film. From my action-thriller research, the protagonist generally casts of a white middle-aged male, but in my film, I chose a young, black dad. Stereotypically, through the media, we are sometimes showed young black males as being aggressive and trouble-making. But in my film, I used a young black male to portray a possessive father figure male. On the topic of race, the use of a British Asian with in my film, is a subvert of conventions as British Asians are heavily under represented in the media. The topic of age, was also subverted, as in action-thrillers, most main characters apart from the victim are middle aged, as the victim is generally a young teenager. But I chose to use teenagers, acting on the part of adults, and a young child as the victim. I did this because my target audience was 16+, so I thought if I included young actors in my film, this would appeal to my target audience more. My last subvert of convention, is the choice of location, as through my research I noticed that action-thrillers are generally filmed in popular locations like Paris (Taken). My film subverted the conventions as it was located in Hackney next to council flats. I chose this location as I wanted my film to be pictured as more rural, and also viewers watching my film are most likely to be from Hackney.