This document summarizes the conventions found in crime/thriller films and compares them to the media product being evaluated. It analyzes the use of titling, camera work, mise-en-scene, editing, sound, and narrative theory in both existing crime/thriller films and the student's own media product. The student found that their product both used some conventions like close-up shots but also challenged others, such as using high key lighting rather than the low key lighting common in the genre. They selected uplifting music rather than ominous music typically used to build tension. In summarizing their choices, the student compares them to specific films like "Se7en" and "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo"

1. EVALUATION – QUESTION ONE
1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms
and conventions of real media products?
My
Product
Found
conventions
(based on
research)
My Production – use, develop or
challenge?
Comparison to Existing
Products
Titling –
colour, font
and style
According to
my research a
majority of
crime/thriller
based films
the titling
contains a
shallow focus
of the main
protagonist.
Additionally
the films tend
to contain
mysterious or
spooky
images. They
all tend to
include low
key lighting.
In our film we used and slightly
developed some of the conventions.
For instance we chose to have our title
over the face of the protagonist to
emphasise her characteristics.
However we developed it by choosing
to use high key lighting to establish a
sense of normality.
This title from the film ‘Se7en’ with
the black background with slightly
erased text signifies the idea of
solving clues to complete the
mystery. Additionally the choice
of the black background signifies
death and can be linked to the
concept of the erased white text.
Camera
Work
including
Movement-
pan, track,
crab, crane
Framing a
shot
ECU, CU,
MS, LS, ELS
Camera
Angle
High, Low
In a majority of
crime/thriller
films the
camera shots
tend to be
pan shots to
divert the
audience’s
attention
between two
different
moments of
action.
We sort of challenged the convention
by incorporating an extreme close up
into our film which allows the audience
to gain a rapport with the characters.
However we used it by having a
tracking shot of our female protagonist
which can allow the audience to track
her moves and possibly alert the
audience to track her as she may be
dangerous.
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2. Mise-en-
Scene-
Lighting,
settings,
actor’s
gestures
and
movements
and props
etc
In a majority of
crime/thriller
films the use of
low key
lighting is
prominent to
connote the
idea of a
negative
atmosphere.
However in our film we subverted the
convention and used high key lighting
to represent the idea of equilibrium.
This concept helps the audience to
gain a instant connection with the film
as the sense of equilibrium is familiar to
them.
However in the film ‘Se7en’ the
low key lighting differs from what
we chose for our film. In the film
‘se7en’ the low key lighting
creates an ominous atmosphere
which the audience can easily
link to a negative concept or plot
line for the duration of the film.
Editing –
jump cuts,
match cuts,
reverse
shots,
cutting
rhythm
N/A N/A N/A
Sound
Diegetic
and non
diegetic,
i.e. music,
voice overs,
dialogue
etc
Normally in
crime/thriller
films ominous
music is used
to build
tension.
Additionally
that type of
music adds to
the action
and makes it
more intense.
However in our film we subverted this
by using auspicious music. We
used the song ‘Lonesome Town’
by Ricky Nelson. The lyrics seem to
be positive and reinforce the
concept of the equilibrium. For
example ‘there’s a place where
lovers go’ along with the positive
guitar music adds to the concept
of equilibrium.
However in the film ‘The Girl With
The Dragon Tattoo’ the song used
‘Immigrant Song’ by Trent Reznor.
The lyrics appear to come across
as more chilling and negative.
‘we come from the land of the
ice and snow’ comes across as
chilling by the words ‘ice’ and
‘snow’ but additionally the
piercing screams and intense
drum beats. These two key
elements build the atmosphere
for the rest of the film.
Narrative
Theory
See
Todorov’s
theory of
the stages
narrative?
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N/A
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