2. Camera Shots
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I think that our media product does follow other thriller conventions, in
terms of the camera shots used; as we have evidence from well known
thrillers. Above shows a very commonly known horror thriller (saw) using
very similar camera shots, as those that we used in our psychological
thriller. Thrillers tend to use a range of close up shots to create a feeling of
tension and despair. We chose as a group to follow these well known media
conventions, as we wanted our thriller to be positively scary. The use of
close up shots (shown above) allow the audience to further examine the
characteristics of the antagonist, which creates a panicking feeling through
looking into the eyes of the killer. For the audience, this bonds a creepy
connection between them and the killer, which makes them feel on the
edge of their seats.
3. P
Camera Angles
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In terms of camera angles, we also used similar angle conventions in our
psychological thriller to represent vulnerability and powerlessness. As
shown above, our thriller is extremely similar in terms of angles, to
paranormal activity. In both scenes there is an image of a girl, dead and
alone; representing weakness and a lack of female dominance. This effect
is created through the use of a high angle shot, making it seem like the
more powerful prospector is looking down on the helpless victim. I also
think this would be a great time to mention that our thriller also uses
dark lighting (similar to modern day thrillers) to create a sense of the
unknown, and a lack of understanding regarding the storyline. By doing
this, the audience is effected more dramatically, as they are not fully
clear and aware of what is about the happen in the near future.
4. Sound
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Our psychological thriller (Danika) also tended to follow similar
conventions, regarding the type of music that is used, to create an
atmospherically approach. In our thriller, we used music such as a sound
effect from the secret circle. We used this sound effect because through
the audience hearing a creepy sounding singing girl; this created a lot of
suspension. When analysing our media product, we realised that a thriller is
no where near as effective without the use of sound effects. The sounds
that are used in our thriller and modern day thrillers, really make the
audience a lot more creped out by what they are viewing. We chose to stick
with expected media conceptualities, regarding our music choice, as we
liked the effect of the overwhelming sense of fear it created. We agreed
from the beginning as a group that the feelings of fear that should be
perceive from the audience is one of the most contributing/ important
factors, and this is why we chose to use tense sound effects.
5. Mise–en-Scene
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In regards to mise-en-scene, our choices about following media
conventions were really split. On one hand we did choose to follow
the media norms, in terms of our spacing. The image above (left)
shows the space between the antagonist and her victim. As you can
see we chose to have limited space between the two actresses to
create the effect of false pretence and fear. This follows modern
thrillers, as it shows that the killer holds a significant amount of
power, in the process of capturing his/ her victims. On the other
hand, we decided to rebel against media conventions in terms of the
showing of the weapon. In our thriller we decided not to display the
weapon that was used to kill the victim. We chose to do this because
we thought that is could create a lot more suspense from the viewers
perspective. This does not follow modern thriller conventions, as
more commonly the weapon is presented; normally covered in blood.
6. Narrative (Plot)
THERE’S SOMEONE BEHIND YOU!
Through our psychological narrative, we did create a lot of similar effects to
modern day thrillers. As shown above, our most common form of creating
this effect was representing the unknown/ mysterious character in the
background. This is very effective as from a distance, all the audience can
see is an innocent victim, who is being stalked by a supernatural source of
power. Although we aimed to create a similar effect, in terms of the kinds of
clips used in our thriller; we did also come away from expected media
conventions. The character in the back of our shot (Danika) is actually more
known by the audience at this point, as they have been exposed to her role,
and her intentions of killing her friends. Although to some, this could seem
like an ineffective step, from our film perspective this created a more tense
atmosphere; as the audience were aware of her psychological welfare and
aims to brutally murder her x best friends.
7. Challenges to the genre
Our psychological movie follows the genre pattern of a thriller because
there is a lot of vulnerability created through female characteristics. Male
dominance is very apparent and therefore though making a female appear
weak, this follows media conventions. However, more importantly our
psychological thriller challenges normal media conventions, as the
antagonist is a girl. Normally female dominance is only portrayed through an
erotic thriller, where a women is only powerful through sexual
objectification. Through showing female strength, this turns against normal
media expectations. On the other hand, this example could be seen as
following normal media conventions, as the strong characteristics are
decreased through psychological welfare. Because Danika is psychologically
damaged, this shows that she does not hold complete power; as
interoperated from the beginning.
