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

2. +
Narrative Style
 When we first started work on the film we studied a lot about
narrative style and understood that crime dramas had to
have really easy storylines to follow so therefore the
audience could become engrossed within the films. One
example we looked at was the film “The Da Vinci Code” as it
had the generic conventions of crime films related to
narrative style and the simple storyline of a man being
framed for murder and it was up to the protagonist to find out
who was the killer and to clear his innocence. As a result of
this, we decided to follow this type of of storyline as we
discovered that it was a very popular storyline to follow and
as a result of this we decided to follow this storyline as we felt
like it would be ideal and we would be able to play homage
to storylines such as “The Da Vinci Code”.

3. +
Where about does it look like your
Genre?
 In the film there are multiple points when the film fits the genre. For
instance when we first started we understood fully that iconography
such as drugs and lawyer suits can clearly show the genre of crime
drama and what feelings the audience should feel.We used this to give
an understanding for the audience about what the genre was and also to
be able to define who each of the character are as well as what the
genre was. For instance when we started creating the character of
Martin Crow we wanted to show the power of men which is clearly seen
within crime dramas like “The Usual Suspects” and “The Da Vinci
Code”. As well as this, the use of the drugs which are normally shown at
high angles throughout crime dramas can indicate the idea of danger
and a sense of foreboding for the film. As well as this we also used the
idea of short takes within the first ten seconds of the film to give the
speed of how fast the storyline is and also how quick is at.The use of this
helped make the story seem more intense than it is and also for the
audience to understand what to anticipate within the film.

4. +
How did you achieve the task of
continuity editing
 When we went into researching we found a lot about the use of continuity editing within crime dramas. For instance, when
researching we understood that there was the use of short takes to give a sense of fast paced action within films like “The
Da Vinci Code” and “Taken” to make the audience feel as if they are part of the action. We tried to effectively show this by
the use of short takes and multiple cuts to give the idea as if the audience was part of the action and to also give the idea of
how quick the action will come. As well, we also wanted the audience to give the idea of perspectives for both characters
to understand the situation and who the audience should give sympathy to. As well as this we also had the use of Shot-
Reverse-Shot, Match on Action and the 180O Line which we found from films such as “Goodfellas” and also from our
preliminary exercise. The use of them made sure that the suspension of disbelief and a sense of realism for the audience to
watch within the film and that the audience couldn’t see anything different within any of the shots. We specifically tried to
show this in these shots:
We decided to
have the use of
shot-reverse-shots
to give the our
idea to build
tension on the two
characters and
sense of
understanding for
the audience.
We decide to have the use of match
on action to give the idea of the pace
of the film. However, there is a bit of
non continuity editing in which
Olivia’s glasses magically reappear
after the previous shot. If I was to
improve on it then we would’ve been
more observant and made sure that
Olivia would’ve either wore them in
previous shots or not wear them at all
within the film at all.

5. +
What sounds make it look like a
crime drama?
 In the film there were some sounds that we used within to
make sure the film fitted the genre we were making. For
instance, in film we have the use of a gun shot when Olivia
places the drugs on the table we have the use of the camera
in focus on a high angle.The use of the cut for the sound
suggests the idea that it is a metaphorical shot through the
protagonist’s heart and therefore she is in shock.We had the
use of this to shock the audience and make them feel as
scared as our protagonist would feel. As well as this,
throughout the whole film, we have the use of a movie loop
and ambient sound when Martin Crow and Roxanne talk to
each other for the audience to understand the genre and also
to give a sense of foreboding on what to expect later within
the film.

6. +
What iconography did you use?
 When creating the film we decided to choose various pieces of iconography within the
film. For example, when studying the genre we understood that movies such as “Pulp
Fiction” and “The Usual Suspects”used the iconography of drugs to hint the idea of
danger and that nothing is safe. As well as this we understood that the iconography of
shades and full suits were used to hint the idea that their lives are secret and not well
known. However, when creating the character of Martin Crow we decided to subvert the
stereotype as in the story he says that he is a lawyer.This means that normally the
lawyer isn’t the antagonist within the film and therefore they will always be on the
protagonists side. However, as a group we decided that the lawyer would be the
antagonist who would frame Roxanne for the illegal drug deal as it would as a shock to
the audience and therefore we wanted the audience not to be prepared for the
antagonists arrival. Movies that we took inspiration from to give the shock and
subverting the stereotype were “The Da Vinci Code” and “The Usual Suspects” to give
the shock element to the film to signify an act of betrayal to make the audience
perception of that person to change.

7. +
How does the typography signify
the genre?
 The typography within the film signifies our genre as we
wanted the audience to understand what the film could
contain within the film. For example, when creating the title
sequence we wanted it to be very plain and give some
mystery behind the story and some realism. As a result of this
we took inspiration from movie titles such as “The Shawshank
Redemption” and “The Godfather” to give the idea that
something sinister is going to happen. As well as this, we
used a wipe on the title “Jackpot” to suggest the idea of
crime as if the title was behind prison bars. By doing this, the
audience should be in a position to understand what the film
was about and what genre the film could be.