1. QUESTION ONE) IN WHAT WAY
DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT
SUBVERT, DEVELOP OR ADHERE
FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF
REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

2. MY KNOWLEDGE OF THRILLER FILMS
AND THEIR CONVENTIONS:
• From my extensive range of research and from my own knowledge I have a gained a great understanding of forms
and conventions of real media products relating to the thriller genre. The forms of conventions are the different
ways thriller films exist and the forms they exist in due to the features they contain. Because of this, I have learnt
that they are often filled with features such as action, are known as being fast paced and can contain characters
which are villains and heroes, for example. The “thrill” of a thriller further comes from a large amount of features
such as suspense, red herrings and cliff hangers as well as the sense of jeopardy and violence which occur within
them, especially if they are influenced by “film noir,” which is a term that was coined by French critics (first by Nino
Frank in 1946) to describe movies, most commonly like Hollywood crime dramas, which have dark themes relating
to negativity, as well as relating to characters that are cynical (motivated by self interest and untrustworthy of
others) and sexual themes. Another common find, is the incorporation of so called “codes” which refer to effective
frameworks within a thriller that result in the creation of different feelings, emotions and interpretations in
connection to the audience as well as plot changes Their sub-genres also impact their ability to be thrilling, such
as if they contain “horror,” which would influence the audience to be somewhat scared and therefore thrilled.
• Furthermore, other themes and features are commonly used in order to create a thriller film. These include scary
music and topics used to create mysterious scenes and suspense. Iconography also helps to emphasise the
thrilling nature of the film, such as the mysterious, repetitive use of a phone call where no one answers. Binary
oppositions in the form of characters can also help to push plots forward in a thrilling way. For example if a good
person or a bad person, protagonist or antagonist, a powerful person and weak person fight against each other,
then an immediate interest is gained from the audience as they want to know what happens. Similarly, if a
“personal” event happens in a characters life during a film which the audience can empathise with this also occurs,
such as kidnapping, which could both scare and pull on the heart strings of those who watch it. Either way it’s a
feature, like other similar features, which could make a film thrilling.

3. GENRE, THEMES,
CHARACTERS AND
AUDIENCE:
• Our thriller opening adhered and had similarities to conventions of real life media products.
Examples of this included the fact we were able to reveal a storyline that was a part of the sub-
genre of horror (similarly to movies such as Prom Night and Scream), that is typically a part of
thriller movies, as well as other sub-genres such as comedy. Our storyline incorporated a girl
(Emma) with mental issues and a murderous past, the hero in the form of her friend who tried
to help her and a villain in the form of the doctor who wanted to experiment on Emma. The fact
that we incorporated these characters and a cast of teenagers, as well as that we developed the
older character of the doctor, was similar to other thriller films as mentioned. Evidence from
research of this suggests that this is because the victims (like featured within the movie Prom
Night) are usually, innocent, younger teenagers with a villain who is older, which is therefore a
similarity to our cast.
• All these different features and themes, including the fact there was murder, Emma got locked
up in a confined space and there was a cliff hanger at the end, are typically found within thriller
films to thrill, excite, entertain and slightly scare their audiences. I think that from the research
conducted and previously explained, it therefore influenced us to create a conventional
storyline. We chose to not be unconventional in this way, as it would allow us to reach a mass
audience who are already familiar with a typical thriller format, as well as helping us to target
an audience of mainly teenagers, since that’s what we are and who we’d like to entertain
(although people who aren’t and are older would be really favourable too), however we
incorporated original ideas which therefore made ours original and challenged the conventions
of real media products. I believe our thriller opening also contained themes relating to "film
noir" as it therefore contained dark and negative themes such as murder and Jade's character
seems motivated by her own self interest as well as seeming to be untrustworthy of others
since she murders Lizzie's character.

4. PREVIOUS SLIDE CONTINUED…
• We were unconventional by incorporating original ideas within our
thriller opening. For example, although other thriller movies such as
Shutter Island and Inception focus around issues involving the mind,
we were not directly inspired by these and thought we’d be original and
interesting by including a character with Multiple Personality Disorder.
We chose to do this as we found the illness really interesting ourselves,
and without being offensive to people who actually have it, we chose to
create a fictional story to both thrill and inform (as it raises awareness
of the illness to viewers) about it. We also used Premiere Pro to
incorporate another original feature in the form of flashbacks.
• Although, flashbacks can relate to "film noir" which is a common
convention, by using these we are able to inform viewers of past events
which have affected the present and inform them of the stories the
characters have within our original framework which therefore
emphasises the originality of our work. We also chose this as we
thought by using a timeline of events in this way it was really
interesting as they create suspense, would stand out from other thriller
openings and allows the audience to understand the thriller easily.

5. NARRATIVE:
• We followed the conventions of narratives of other thriller films as we used similar plots
involving a killer and victim(s), protagonists and antagonists, as well as the involvement of
a murder, for example. These were used in order to help the audience understand that
negative things had happened in the past and may do in the future. For example, by
using flashbacks and different character’s points of view, such as my own at the start, then
Jade’s as she’s walking through her house and flashbacks of Lizzie smiling (which are
original techniques that we used).
• We were more original in comparison to other narratives of thriller films because we chose
a complex and original plot and storyline that was made up of different flashbacks and
points of view. These are examples of techniques which allowed to create suspense and
allow questions to be raised within the heads of viewers about it to engage them.
• Jade’s character also didn’t follow the usual conventions of thriller films. This is because
she can’t be defined necessarily as being a protagonist or antagonist as she is a mixture of
both. She is a victim of her illness, as well as because of the doctor trapping and
experimenting on her (which are original parts of our thriller opening), but at the same
time a murderer and a source of evil, as is the second killer, my character, the doctor.
• The use of two evil characters also makes our thriller opening more original. We chose to
do this to further make our thriller opening more interesting in comparison to other films.
This is because more questions could be raised and more possible storylines could be
thought of in connection to the characters included within our opening, as well as others
what aren’t included, but could potentially be thought of, such as, “where are Jade’s
character’s parents?”

6. TITLING:
• From viewing the titling of other thriller movies such as “Se7en”
they contain really interesting titling sequences made up of moving
imagery and images, as well as text in different fonts and colours.
By conducting research in the form of watching thrillers I also
understand that the names of the cast who are most known are
shown first normally (such as the director and cast) within a titling
sequence, with the fellow important people who helped to make the
film being shown after.
• We adhered to the conventions of real media products such as
“Se7en” as we followed this same titling sequence format, as well as
trying to develop creative and thrilling font that fits in with the
theme. For example, that’s why it’s in the colour white. To symbolise
death (which relates to iconography and is a common feature found
within thriller films) as well as helped to create an eerie, suspense
filled mood (as also commonly found within thriller movies).

7. THE SETTING AND
ICONOGRAPHY:
• My group adhered to the sort of setting that is typically found within a thriller film. This is
because we filmed within a run-down building that was empty and in a desolate area. This
creates a feeling that relates to iconography. This is because when you think of thriller
films you think of suspense and mystery. By using our filming location we were able to do
this because it gave the impression that the doctor had locked Emma up in a place that
was far from anyone else. By doing this, it also relates to the sub-genre of horror and the
typical, associated features to do with that too.
• More iconography which is typically found within a thriller film was used. This is because
our introduction to the start of our thriller opening features two locked wooden
doors/gates. An image of these are shown above. This insinuated and created a similar
effect to other thrillers, that there’s no sense of escape from something and that
someone/something is trapped which creates suspense and mystery which are also
common features of thriller films. As well as this by using Premiere Pro, we were able to
alter the colour scheme of our opening to darker colours. Although this is another feature
that can be found in thriller films, it is not that common and further makes our thriller more
original. However, it also creates the same effects as produced by thriller films, as it helps
to make the setting creepier and scarier to make the audience more on edge and “thrilled.”

8. CAMERA SHOTS AND
EDITING:
• We adhered to the popular conventions of thriller films by using similar camera techniques. These include using
establishing shots of eerie looking buildings like the gate at the beginning of our opening, close ups to create
suspense like the one which followed and was further made even creepier by escalating into darkness.
• We also used a combination of close up shots to dramatically show Olivia’s eyes, which mysteriously inferred and
contrasted her past and following death. As well as this, we also used low and high angle shots and panning. For
example, we were able to create suspense when showing Olivia’s dead body by panning over her from above.
This therefore combined a high angle shot and panning to do this, which combines originality and related to
common features of thriller films to create mystery and engage the audience.
• Different editing techniques were used that both relate and don’t relate to the conventions of real media
products. By using the original feature of flashbacks we were able to include parallel editing, that involves another
editing technique, cross cutting. This meant different scenes in one two or more locations were shown. For
example, Lizzie’s character had blood coming from her eyes (to insinuate and symbolise her death) within one
scene of our thriller opening, but then with the accompaniment of another flashback she is seen smiling within
the same location which makes the audience believe this happens at the same time. But later on, with another
flashback she is shown as being dead. This helps the audience to create a timeline of events in their heads such
as that in the past Lizzie was happy, but then the audience know in her future she is murdered by her friend. By
choosing to use a combination of these editing techniques to inform the audience about events that the
character's don’t know about, it results in the creation of suspense, mystery, further interest in the opening and
the provoke of emotional reactions from the audience. From this, it can be understood that although the editing
techniques can be commonly used separately within thriller films, a combination of all of them within our storyline
makes our usage of them more original. Although, the effects of them may also relate to the conventions of
thriller films, we were able to be more original by creating a hopefully greater impact on the audience since they
are all created simultaneously too.

9. SIMILARITIES OF CAMERA SHOTS:
My thriller opening: Other thriller films:
The screen shots on the right
from one of the Scream
movies are mid-shots like the
screen shot of Jade playing
her character within our thriller
opening on the left. They all
share a similar theme as they
show a person insinuated as a
victim since they’re trapped.
The screenshot of gates within my thriller
opening and the screenshot of gates
within the film Shutter Island insinuate and
create the feeling that something is
hidden away or trapped behind them.
This creates suspense and mystery, which
means questions are raised by the
audience.
The reveal of a killer is used to
create suspense as the “victim”
might not always know they’re
there. A scene within my thriller
opening similarly shows this, as
does a scene from one of the
Scream movies.

10. SIMILARITIES OF CAMERA SHOTS
CONTINUED:
My thriller opening: Other thriller films:
Images can also be used in order to
establish mise-en-scene as well as
reveal interesting and important
details to the audience. For
example, this is done within my
thriller opening and the opening of
the movie “Se7en.”
The images below show how close ups of characters can create and emphasise suspense within a thriller
opening as well to inform the audience that something may happen. Similar to my own thriller opening, as
shown, close ups of a the young, female who plays the main character is shown to do this in the movie Prom
Night.
This screen shot from the movie
Se7en similarly shows how mise-
en-scene is established like in my
own through the use of showing
texts that reveal the audience
important details.

11. SOUND:
• Our thriller movie opening also resembled others by using engaging, thrilling sounds that were
put together to create a soundtrack. This was used as it entices the audience by setting the scene
and helps to forebode the thrilling events of the film according to what is being shown. This was
done by using Mixcraft.
• However, due to the fact our film only contains non-diegetic sounds (sound that doesn't
necessarily have a visible source on screen, e.g. a narrator's commentary) since we only have a
soundtrack playing within our thriller opening it is therefore non-diegetic and goes against the
conventions commonly used in thriller films. Instead diegetic sounds like the character's voices
are usually heard as the person speaks on screen. We chose to mostly include non-diegetic
sounds like creepy sounding music in order to create suspense and to stop an automatic bond
being created between the audience and characters which could happen if they hear their voices.
Although, we did adhere to the conventions of thriller films since we included the diegetic sound
of Jade’s scream (a picture of her from the scene where she screams and her scream is heard can
be seen above) as well as other screams, but we were original as we contrasted it with the use of
non-diegetic screams and the music they are apart of. This was done so that questions are raised
by the audience about what happens which emphasises the mysterious and thrilling themes of
the thriller opening, which are also conventions of thriller films, and are therefore caused by the
included and original use or non-diegetic sounds.

12. CODES:
• Enigma codes are defined as frameworks within a film that make the audience raise
questions about it. These are commonly used within thriller films due to the fact they
keep the audience on edge. These can usually be answered soon after or later on in
the film. The amount of suspense built is therefore dependent on this. We have
incorporated this code within our thriller opening as the audience will wonder who all
of our characters are at the beginning and although more is revealed about Jade and
Lizzie’s character suspense is created and a cliff hanger is sort of formed at the end
which results in more questions being asked by viewers like “why did she murder her
friend?” This engages the audience and makes them want to watch a full length film
about it.
• Action codes refer to important events that commonly involve “action” (hence the
name) which allow the narrative, plot or storyline to movie in a certain direction or
directions. They are also used commonly used within thriller films to keep the
audience engaged due to excitement and being “thrilled.” We also incorporated this
within our thriller opening since there were different important scenes that related to
action which created mystery and suspense. These included my character walking
within a dark, run down building, Jade’s character being showed as tied up to a chair
at the beginning and her friend’s murder. These events are important examples of
where suspense is created within our thriller opening as well as making the audience
engaged and think about what has happened and why it has.

13. THEORIES:
• Our thriller opening does adhere to the features mentioned within Daniel Chandler’s Genre Theory. This is
because it’s main genre is that it’s a thriller, however it can also be categorised as having sub-genres such
as mainly being horror. Furthermore, we also adhered to society’s ideologies and values. Such as their
understanding about mental illnesses, or lack of in this circumstance, this is why we wanted to raise
awareness of Multiple Personality Disorder. We wanted to also address their interest in them, which is why
we wanted to make a thrilling and interesting opening thriller about it and why we created the character of
the Doctor who has an unhealthy interest in Olivia and wants to experiment on her. As well as this, we also
adhered to the idea that being in a secluded area when someone is on their own as believed by modern
day society as people wouldn’t feel safe. This is shown by Jade’s Character Olivia as she is shown alone
and tied up in a run-down building and walking through her house which looks quite eerie which is
purposely done to forebode danger and her murderous streak (personality).
• Todorov theorised that narratives are pushed on by different events in a “cause and effect format.” He also
believed that the equilibrium of a film is balanced out by the ending of it. In my group and I’s thriller
opening we used this whilst successfully adhering to the conventions of media products as well as also
being original. This theory is one that, although is commonly used, it may not be used all the time
throughout thriller films. For example, if the equilibrium isn’t restored and a cliff hanger is created at the
end of the film this could be intentional in order to keep the audience engaged so that a sequel can be
planned. Instead of following the conventions of media products in terms of Todorov’s theory, we wanted
to be more original and create more suspense as mentioned. This is why we left the ending of our thriller
opening as a cliff hanger. We did not follow his belief that the equilibrium of a film can be balanced out at
the end intentionally so that suspense will be created and the audience will ask more questions about
what will happen next within our thriller. We would want this to happen so that it could relate to the
potential creation of a full length film about it. It would also make our thriller more original and be
successfully “thrilling.”