Media Thriller Evaluation

1. Evaluation: Question 1
In what ways does your media product use,
develop or challenge forms and conventions
of real media products?

2. Location pt.1
• We wanted to present our thriller to be that of a 1950’s styled one. When
looking for a location we had decided on some traits that it must have;
preferably we wanted a large rather open room, this foreshadows
what will happen shortly as it has connotations of large areas of
freedom; which Eve gains once she kills Frank. We also wanted it to
have some features like a fireplace which can reinforce the ideals of
wealth and status. Lastly a key feature where that it had large
windows with blinds to represent a way out, yet it is blocked.

3. Location pt. 2
• The location used for our thriller opening scene was 'Town Close
School'. We chose this location because it suited our thriller
genre and style very nicely, we wanted our mise-en-scene to
resemble a 1950's noir thriller. The establishing shot shows the
old fireplace in the room, which was a wonderful feature to our
thriller and helped aid us in creating a 1950's look as they were
very common in upper class housing. It was made of mainly
marble, this presented the wealth and power of our characters,
making them seem more respectable.
•

4. Location: to show Eve’s ideals
• There were many large windows in the room, this was very good as
it gave us the opportunity to use and manipulate them, one of
which had a very large curtain in front of it. We used this to our
advantage and had Eve hide behind it, allowing us to use some
good point of view shots from her hidden behind it. It can also
be interpreted as there are many escape exits all around the
room for Eve to break free from woman stereotypes and the
idea of her being only a possession for Frank; the main male
character. However the blinds conceal those exits and portray
Eve to be trapped in society’s views and ideals of living. Like the
character Eve in ‘Once Upon A Time in America,’ it is presented
that women should conform to the more dominant male
character as he is in power, when Eve in ‘Once upon a time in
America’ attempts to challenge these stereotypes she is
punished for it and is killed by the overpowering male
characters.
•

5. Location: to show male stereotypes.
• Frank; the male character, is seen in this opening shot standing over the
fireplace, the woman is clearly seen to be seated nearby, which can
present the stereotypical difference in status between the two
genders and how she is lower than him; physically and in
status/power. This can link with generic archetypes of females and
femme fetales which are common in thrillers.

6. Characters: Eve• The character of Eve challenges to the stereotype of women in film being
weak and vulnerable, although in some ways conforms to it. We chose the
name Eve Crawford as a combination of two inspirations, Eve from the
biblical tale and Crawford from the famous star; Joan Crawford. Eve has
biblical connotations to the bible character Eve from ‘Adam and Eve’. In
this she is the one who turns to temptation and urges Adam to join her in
eating the forbidden fruit, resulting in their banishment by God from the
Garden of Eden. Eve from ‘Once Upon a Time in America’ was also our
main inspiration as we wanted possess some typical characteristics of hers
like being deceitful. This can connote to the archetypes of femme fetales
which entail and mean to cause trouble for other characters and overall
themselves. Eve’s character is strongly influenced by the character of
Marion Crane from ‘Psycho’. She is determined and strong, as seen by her
challenges to woman serotypes by the murders she commits, which is
much like Marion’s actions to steal the money from her work.
•
• Eve is a bit like Joan Crawford a famous star of the
40’s film Mildred Pearce (1946). In real life she
adopted 5 children and they claimed she was
abusive and manipulative. In the trailer of
‘Mildred Pearce’ the voice over says “she’s a
woman who doesn’t live by the rules” which
applies to our female killer, Eve.

7. Characters: Eve pt. 2
• Eve wears a pearl necklace and a pearl bracelet, this shows her
status in the film as pearls are expensive items, only to be
bought and worn by the higher class in society. However pearls
also mean ‘tears’, this could be interpreted as either her
foreshadowing her future and what; as a femme fetale, fate may
result in (death). Or the tears caused by the oppressive male
characters forcing her to live the way they and society wish.
• Our character Eve was dressed in a sensual, seductive style of
clothing in the form of a shorter tight skirt and blouse, this
presents her to be disregarding the female stereotypes of the
time and stand out and be different to other woman of this
period; possibly meaning trouble. This again shows her
rebellious and fighting spirit, where she is trying to challenge
and end the generic ideals for a woman.
•

8. Characters: Frank
• The character of Frank conforms to the stereotypical archetypes of a
wealthy man. This is portrayed through his smart clothing and
sophisticated way of movement, we can also see this through his
belongings, as he presents a golden watch and lighter. Frank rather
suspicious and vacant, he seems charming, and sophisticated,
reinforcing the archetype role as possibly a villain.
• The costume is important in the aspect that it’s the main indicator to his
wealth. We chose a traditional suit and tie, referencing characters
from Reservoir Dogs and Patrick Bateman from ‘Psycho’. The black
colour of the suit connotes darkness, presenting his cold, neglectful
nature.
•

9. Camera Angles/Movement and Transitions
Opening to a Thriller Film and Narrative
• We used a variety of camera shots and angles in our film opening which
are often featured in the thriller genre.
• For example a camera angle we used was a low angled shot when Frank is
seated at the table; this shot is often used to indicate dominance,
making the audience feel intimidated and watch it all from a
vulnerable position. ‘Once Upon a Time in America’ is a movie example
that uses this technique.
• Another shot we used was a tilt shot for the opening image, which
presents that something may be wrong, and not quite in the right
perspective, adding to the confusion and interest of the shot; ‘The
Third Man’ is one of many thrillers that use this shot.
• The transitions used in our thriller help to present the genre, lots of sharp
and quick cuts between some scenes help to add a quick pace;
creating a sense of chaos overall building the tension.
•

10. Camera Angles/Movement and Transitions
Opening to a Thriller Film and Narrative
• We used camera movements to create an unnerving atmosphere; for example,
we used a close up when Frank gets out and looks at the gun, foreshadowing
that this item is important and will contribute to a key moment in the
opening. The gun is a recurring item seen, like in ‘Psycho’ with Marion’s
money, which highlights the significance of the actual gun; again building
that tension.
• I also referenced to “FILM THAT I USED TO MAKE TITLE CARDS” by making the
titles in the same style and appear in the same faded way. This helped to
emulate the ideals of a classic 1950s based thriller look that we were
aspiring to achieve. I used a still tilted opening shot to set the scene but
before this, I introduced the entire production with a black background with
white text saying “ A Roma Pictures” Likewise this is seen in ‘Once Upon a
Time in America’. The white text stands out against the black background,
establishing the noir genre; representing shadows and various forms of
lighting.
• We chose to call our film ‘Eve Crawford” as it is the name of our title femme
fetale character. This helps show the power she possess in a world and time
run by men, she’s challenging these stereotypes and making the attention
evolve around her.
•