Evaluation for Media

1. Evaluation Task 1
How does your product use or challenge conventions and how
does it represent social groups or issues?

2. Introduction - Genre
• We, as a group have decided to construct the genre of a ‘thriller’. Therefore, we have intentionally made use of
the typical conventions present in a thriller. A genre convention is something that is specifically representative of a
particular genre. An example of these conventions are violence, increasing emotional suspense throughout and
confrontational disputes between that of the protagonist and other characters. Within our thriller we have also
used ‘quick cuts’, this is to increase the tension and create the portrayal that the pace of the scene is increasing
and becoming more intense. ‘Shadows’ are also featured in our production , this was created through the location
of the woods and was effective as it generated an eerie atmosphere within the mood of our scene.
Also, the typical genre conventions of a thriller include a male protagonist
whom is perhaps immoral or has bad intentions. Therefore, our thriller
subverts this genre stereotype of a prominent male main character. You
can see this in the image to the left. The girl in our thriller, appears
vulnerable in our thriller and is less powerful than that of the military
men chasing her. This therefore, subverts to the stereotype of an average
thriller.

3. ‘Lucy’
• Starring
• – Scarlett Johansson
• - Morgan Freeman
• Our thriller also shares similar qualities to the film ‘Lucy’. The reasoning behind this is that once again like the film ’Logan’, this film
also features a main female protagonist whom possesses a particular range of physical and psychological abilities all of which are
desired and hunted by a group of more forceful and commanding characters. In this film, there are a group of male dominant
characters whom are pursuing the main female. This can be observed in the images below. Also, in this production, the girl
possesses a range of supernatural powers that she uses to defend herself against more authoritive characters. Also, physically in
both of these productions, the girl is being dominated and put in a vulnerable position by a larger collaboration of male characters.
Directed by Luc Besson
Box office $463.4 million
Budget $40 million
Distributed by •Universal Pictures

4. ’Logan’
Starring –
-Hugh Jackman
-Patrick Stewart
-Stephen Merchant
In this film, there are numerous similarities to that of our thriller. I am employing this objective as the main character is a female
protagonist whom is fleeing from a form of authority. Compositionally, the image below adopts similar qualities to our thriller. Here, the
picture presents the fact that the main female character is in the left of the screen. We chose to use this composition element in our
thriller. The lighting in these two images differs dramatically as the film ‘Logan’ mostly uses ‘low key lighting’ throughout the film.
Whereas, while in the process of our production we chose to use natural light provided by the woodland setting. Both of these images
are similar in the sense that both main characters and hiding from a group of characters whom are more powerful than them and this is
adhering to the stereotype that female characters are weak and incapable of being dominant and determined.
Directed by James Mangold
Box office $619 million
[2]
Country United States
Distributed by 20th Century Fox

5. ‘How I live now’Directed by Kevin Macdonald
Box office $60,213 (US
Starring -
- George Mackay
- Tom Holland
- Anna Chancellor
Production
company
•Cowboy Films
•Passion Pictures
Another film that our thriller has incorporated features of within it is the film ‘How I live now’. The narrative entails a girl whom is being
dominated by a number of military occupants. Hence the title, she is being removed from her normal lifestyle and being chased by the
authorities who have the desire to harm or damage her. This is much like multiple qualities of our thriller. For example, both products use
military men as a method of threatening a vulnerable character whom appears physically and mentally weaker than them. We made the
decision to incorporate these features into our thriller an we wanted to portray the initial feebleness of the main female protagonist and what
effect this has on her physical and vocal behavior. Also, character positioning demonstrates a representation of the girl’s lack of authority within
this particular circumstance. Therefore, because she is on the floor, she is the weakest character and they are dominating as they are standing.

6. COSTUME
In the image to the left, it is clear to acknowledge that a particular type of
costume has been used to demonstrate the occupation of the character
being represented. We chose a camouflaged costume as we desired to
display the status of each character. Therefore, if this character is wearing an
army costume as a presentation of his occupation then as an audience we
are inclined to think they are of a higher social status.
The image to the right shows the costume of the lower status refugee girl
hiding from the authorities. We decided to dress her in a costume that was
scruffy and looked cheap and low quality. The reason we did this is to
display the low class of the girl and to illustrate the desperate physical and
mental state she is in at this point.
All the military soldiers stood up to the left
have been dressed in identical costumes.
Our group did this intentionally to
explicitly reinforce that these characters
are associated and are all moving for the
same purpose. This gives the viewer a
further insight into the contents of the
narrative and the intentions of the
characters on screen.
The image on the right is similar to our thriller as they have made the decision to
use an army costume to present the occupation of the men. This particular
costume is specifically representative of violence and war. Therefore, we are
given a large indication of the narrative and offered the reputation and character
of the men. The status of the men is increased as they are viewed and
threatening and dangerous. This can be likened to that of our thriller.

7. Props
The picture on the right displays the image of a gun. Our
group chose to use this particular item (a gun) as a prop as
we intended to present the idea that potential violence is
likely to occur in this film. The use of this prop also
demonstrates the context behind this particular character
and that he is likely to fire this gun throughout the duration
of the thriller. Therefore, this prop has successfully exposed
part of the narrative. As this prop represents violence and
danger, it therefore heightens the threat from this character
and reinforces the fact that he is more powerful.
The image to the right emphasizes the use of the prop
‘fake blood’. In a gruesome and violent thriller like ours
we thought it necessary to enforce the fact that violence
is occurring. This makes the narrative more realistic and
intensifies the action. The use of this prop highlights the
violent traditional conventions of a thriller of which we
intended to represent in ours.

8. Setting/Location
We chose the woods as our setting as we wanted to create
an eerie atmosphere throughout our thriller. We decided the
woods would be ideal as despite many hiding places , the
woods is a desolate location of which sets the perfect scene
for a gun chase. Also, in the woods, natural light is provided
meaning that we did not have to take the time to use
prepared lighting.
Once again, the image on the right shows a snap-shot
taken from the movie ‘How I live now’. This presents
the fact that the woods have been used to film this
scene. As you can see, the woods create the effect of
shadows which give the scene a dramatic and tension
filled environment.

9. Make-Up
In terms of make-up, we wanted our main
character to appear as if she had in fact endured
the events we desired to portray through the
action on screen. No other make-up was used in
the process of creating our main character as we
wanted her to look as if she has gone through
the woods. The mud or dirt which is visible on
her right hand is there naturally however acts as
a realistic addition to the refugee’s physical state.
The powder on the left is what we used to create the illusion that the
refugee girl appears vulnerable and frightened. It was not very expensive
and was in fact provided by one member of our group. The make-up
successfully heightened her emotion and intensified her vulnerable
position.

10. Camera (angles)
The image to the right shows a ‘mid-shot’ of the
three military men chasing after the girl. The
use of this shot establishes their costumes and
therefore their character. This shot also
enhances the fact that they are moving rapidly
and therefore looking for the same thing. The
shot also emphasizes that they are all looking in
the same direction, this gives the viewer further
indication that they are moving for the same
motive and are aiming their guns at the same
target. Therefore, exposing more of the
narrative.
The ‘over the shoulder’ shot to the left consolidates the fact
that the girl is in a vulnerable position and is being physically
dominated by the military soldier with a gun. We wanted to
choose an ’over the shoulder’ shot to incorporate both
characters thus creating tension and certifying that he is
specifically targeting her. The ‘high angle’ also lowers the
status of the refugee girl. The choice of high angle makes her
appear younger and establishes her current physical and social
weakness as the men embark on surrounding and threatening
her.

11. Camera (composition)
Compositionally, we have positioned the characters so
that we can emphasize the forceful effect the girl’s
supernatural abilities are having on the three
supposedly stronger men. By placing them in a line,
one can easily spectate on the fact that despite the
men's increasing threat, the girl is capable of
obliterating them with one brief push. This therefore
accentuates her physical ability and heightens her
status. Despite the girl initially being on a lower level,
the men are shortly on the floor, this demotes their
characters and makes us feel more emotionally
connected with the main girl.
The girl here in the image has been placed in the
center of the screen, this is the case throughout most
of this thriller. The reasoning behind this decision was
to concentrate the focus on the main character and
centralize her emotions to the audience. We also did
this to represent the significance of her actions and
facial expressions.

12. Editing
The image on the right presents that the main girl has much longer
‘shot duration’. We did this intentionally to indicate that she is the
main female protagonist and her actions are of great importance.
This ultimately subverts the traditional elements frequently
featured in a thriller. This is because usually in a thriller the main
protagonist is male not female.
The image on the left shows the long shot duration of
the main and most authoritive male soldier. Despite him
not having as long a shot duration as the girl, it presents
that he has most power in this situation and is capable
of controlling the group. The long shot duration also
enhances the importance of the main soldier’s actions
and commands to the other soldiers he is with.

13. Editing
The picture to the right shows the similar editing
properties that this film has featured in it in order to
achieve an element of a smooth running action and
realism. Here, we can see that the women is grabbing the
girl by the arm, the next shot is of her moving off the
ground. This is the technique ‘match on action’ .
The image to the left shows once again that ‘match on action’ is
being carried out in this particular instance. In this instance,
the military soldier has given an order through dialogue “stand
up slowly”. After having been told to do this, the refugee girl
proceeds to move up slowly. This is a classic example of match
on action technique.

14. Sound- Non diegetic
The image above presents a snap shot of the software used to create the soundtrack for our thriller. Me and one other member of
our group collaborated our musical skills to generate the musical elements necessary for our thriller’s mood. We spent a few hours
on this track and worked hard on balancing the EQ so that it would fit well with the action happening on screen. In a film like ‘Lucy,’
the soundtrack is similar to ours and is fast moving and constantly increasing in pace. This is designed to generate emotional tension
within the scene.

15. Titles
Both of these titles share similar qualities to
each other. This is represented through the
fact that the names are introduced one at a
time. This is effective and therefore we
decided to use this technique in our thriller.
It ultimately draws the viewer closer to the
name being shown on screen. The title is
also in the same position on the screen
(bottom right). The title is also being
exposed when dramatic action is taking
place within the narrative.

16. Conventions
(challenged)
Conventions are constantly being challenged within this thriller and this has been done intentionally. The images below
both demonstrate the subversion of stereotypes within the genre of a thriller. The method of challenging the stereotype
here is through the main female character. In both pictures, the girl is being physically dominant over the male
characters. This is unusual for a thriller as usually the main protagonist in a thriller is male. Here, the female protagonist
is overcoming her weakness and not vulnerable anymore. This is extreme subversion as in our thriller the girl is
physically over powering the three men.

17. Conventions challenged
The main character in both of these
thrillers is female, having a female
protagonist is subverting the thriller
stereotype.

18. GenderBoth men are adhering to the
stereotyped that all men wear dark
colours e.g brown, black.
This prop helps the character adhere to the stereotype that all
men like guns are are accustomed to using them.
The image on the left clearly defines this character as
female, this is because of her long hair, pink coloured glasses
and small figure.

19. Age The facial expression in the image to the
right could suggest that this girl is in a
vulnerable state and feels overpowered by
the three men. This concerned expression
demonstrates the young age of this girl
and her inability to control the situation.
The body language in the image
below would implicate that the
man is of an old age and is more
superior to the military men
surrounding him. He is directing
the other men and therefore has
authority over other people. The
fact that he is controlling the
direction of their pursuit would
suggest that he is capable of
leading a group therefore
enhancing his high age
The image on the left fully
demonstrates the fairly young age
of the blond girl. This is
characterized through her
eccentric make-up choice. Also
props have been used to display
this, the headphones are a bright
colour and therefore represents
immaturity.

20. Regional Identity
In the image to the left demonstrates the British regional
identity of this thriller. This can be recognised through the
fact that it is a woodland This, as a result, defines the fact
that this is a British film production company.
The image to the left defines the fact that this girl is British. We can
hear this through her British dialogue and the colour of her skin.