This document discusses how the media product Apparition uses conventions of real thriller genres. It provides four examples: 1) An ordinary character sees an extraordinary glowing figure, blending ordinary and extraordinary elements. 2) Strange noises startle the main character, unsettling the atmosphere for the audience. 3) The identity of one character is kept secret by not showing his face, creating mystery around who he is. 4) In one scene, the audience can see a figure the character cannot, raising questions about what will happen next and creating unease.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?
One of our main thriller conventions within Apparition is the idea of extraordinary
events which occur in the most ordinary of locations. Within our opening sequence
when we have Craig’s character exiting the room after investigating what may have
created the loud noise he heard earlier we see a figure glowing behind him. With
this strange figure it does move which does suggest that it is a living being but with
the extraordinary characteristic of glowing. This kind of convention can be seen in
many thrillers where you can see ordinary/extraordinary objects/characters in
ordinary/extraordinary surroundings.
(The example of the
glowing character)
Another convention used is where strange events occurring to the character. Within
Apparition we managed to do this by using a loud bang sound effect to give the
audience an idea that they maybe another person within the house when Craig’s
character has exited the kitchen. From the screen shot below we can see the
character being startled by the noise he heard that would not occur within the regular
setting of a home. We use the convention to make an extreme event occur within
the scene which it is there to unsettle the atmosphere making the audience feel
uncomfortable.
(Craigs character being startled when hearing the
loud noise)

2. The third convention we have used is enigmas which we linked to the mystery of
identity of a character. For this we have kept the identity of my character secret by
not showing the audience his face from the front. We have used this convention to
keep this character’s identity secretive as it creates questions of “who is he?” and
keeps the mystery within the audience. Also with the mystery of his identity some
with questions of “why is he there?” and “why does he have flowers?” Later on
within the opening sequence we get the enigma of if the two characters we feature
are linked which again causes the audience to question what is going on.
The fourth convention we have used within Apparition is the theme of sight. An
example of a way we have used this theme is where Craig’s character is unable to
see the “Apparition” within the room he has investigated yet the audience can see it.
This can cause an unsettled environment within the audience as they can see
something which the character cannot which may lead them to question what may
happen next.

3. Another way in which we use the theme of sight when my character is placing
flowers on the grave. The flowers are a representation of my characters’ emotions
past and present for the person that he is visiting.