1. Jo Manning
In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real
media products?
My media product uses many different forms and conventions in modern media products such
as the TV series “The Inbetweeners” As my media product is aimed at teenagers and
teenagers are the main characters in it, I felt that this was a good product to use as ideas for
forms and conventions and I will require similar ones for my film. For example I used similar
language to what they use in Inbetweeners which is the language a lot of teenagers would use
so they can relate to it. However, I didn’t feel that adding in the kind of swearing they use on
the show was very appropriate for my film project, so I’ve tried to pick out things apart from the
swearing that makes the show funny. I also looked at the way they were dressed. All the
teenagers within the school scenes were in school uniform i.e., shirt and ties, however I felt in a
film only lasting five minutes, individual costume would help to convey character across to the
audience. Also most sixth forms I know don’t have to wear school uniform. Therefore would
familiarise with it.
We also used the fact that there is a love interest in The Inbetweeners but I have developed
this in the way there is just brief part about it in Inbetweeners where mine will be more heavily
based upon the love interest. I have challenged the forms and conventions of Inbetweeners in
the way that a lot of it is shot in first person point of view and we can also here what the
character is thinking so this makes is easier for the audience to relate to.
Also I have used the forms and convention from another TV series called “Peep Show”. The TV
comedy I all shot in shot in first person point of view I used this convention but I also
challenged it as I felt it would more interesting if it was not all in first person and there was be
more of a mixture of shots. Also I have made it so we can here what they are thinking when it is
in their point of view which is a convention on Peep Show. I felt this is useful for the audience to
relate to the characters. I also used the convention that they use a lot which is the audience
can hear what they are think when on the point of view shots. I did a similar development on
this in the way I only used it when necessary. I feel this will give a more simple and enjoyable
viewing experience. I have challenged Peep Shows forms and conventions as the show is
based on two middle aged men where as my short film will be based on teenagers at 6 th form
as my target audience will be able to relate to this.
In conclusion I have used many form and convention to create my short film around. I have
tried to development them a far as I can to use them to their full potential and create an
enjoyable short film. Also I challenge some of the forms and conventions of current media
product to make my short film different and so it will stand out.