The document discusses how the thriller opening attracted and addressed its audience through the use of genre conventions. It describes how the characters, iconography, narrative, themes, and media language used in the opening appealed to viewers and established it as a thriller genre film. Specifically, it notes that the characters fit stereotypical thriller roles, the narrative created mysteries for the audience to solve, and techniques like shot types and editing kept viewers engaged. Overall, the opening attracted audiences by following conventions of the thriller genre.

1. Q5. How did youQ5. How did you
attract/address your audience?attract/address your audience?

2. Genre conventionsGenre conventions
The genre conventions are made up four sections which include:The genre conventions are made up four sections which include:
iconography, narrative, characters and themes. These genreiconography, narrative, characters and themes. These genre
conventions are what attracts the audience when watchingconventions are what attracts the audience when watching
thriller films. Iconography is one of the genre conventions, thatthriller films. Iconography is one of the genre conventions, that
helps represent the character and makes them become morehelps represent the character and makes them become more
appealing to the target audience. I will be going over how eachappealing to the target audience. I will be going over how each
one of these genre conventions, appealed to the audience whenone of these genre conventions, appealed to the audience when
watching our thriller opening.watching our thriller opening.

3. CharactersCharacters
I believe that the way the characters were represented in the spy thriller wasI believe that the way the characters were represented in the spy thriller was
effective in gaining the audiences attention. The audience was drawn by theeffective in gaining the audiences attention. The audience was drawn by the
way the characters fit the typical characters you expect to see in a spy thrillerway the characters fit the typical characters you expect to see in a spy thriller
movie. The characters were perceived as stereotypical because of themovie. The characters were perceived as stereotypical because of the
iconography used and also the attitude of the actors. The iconography helpiconography used and also the attitude of the actors. The iconography help
define them as stereotypical thriller movie spies, as both the actors weredefine them as stereotypical thriller movie spies, as both the actors were
wearing formal wear such as suit and ties. Both actors were male in thewearing formal wear such as suit and ties. Both actors were male in the
thriller opening and this is stereotypical as we most leading roles in the thrillerthriller opening and this is stereotypical as we most leading roles in the thriller
genre are played by men. Also the fact attitude of the actors came across asgenre are played by men. Also the fact attitude of the actors came across as
dominant and powerful attracted the audience more as they will see this indominant and powerful attracted the audience more as they will see this in
many thriller films such as James bond the Bourne identity.many thriller films such as James bond the Bourne identity.

4. Iconography (props)Iconography (props)
Iconography consists of the different visualIconography consists of the different visual
surrounding inside the thriller films. As thesurrounding inside the thriller films. As the
screen shot on the left shows the character isscreen shot on the left shows the character is
wearing a watch, this item is included in thewearing a watch, this item is included in the
iconography section. The purpose of this is toiconography section. The purpose of this is to
bring realism to the film as, the audiencebring realism to the film as, the audience
would associate watches to men, andwould associate watches to men, and
specifically business like men.specifically business like men.
The screen shot to the left in another example ofThe screen shot to the left in another example of
the types of iconography you expect to see in athe types of iconography you expect to see in a
spy/gangster thriller. The red bag serves aspy/gangster thriller. The red bag serves a
purpose of acting as an enigma, as thepurpose of acting as an enigma, as the
audience are sure to ask questions such asaudience are sure to ask questions such as
what's in the bag and why is he carrying itwhat's in the bag and why is he carrying it
around with him.around with him.

5. Iconography (settings and locations)Iconography (settings and locations)
Iconography also includes settings and locations and this would appeal to theIconography also includes settings and locations and this would appeal to the
audience if they believe the location of the thriller opening associates withaudience if they believe the location of the thriller opening associates with
the narrative. Our film was based on a spy/gangster thriller therefore thethe narrative. Our film was based on a spy/gangster thriller therefore the
audience will associate the settings that was used in our film with theaudience will associate the settings that was used in our film with the
narrative of our opening. There is a screen shot below of the locationsnarrative of our opening. There is a screen shot below of the locations
that we used in our thriller opening.that we used in our thriller opening.

6. NarrativeNarrative
The narrative can be defined as a series of events that take place during the course of theThe narrative can be defined as a series of events that take place during the course of the
movie that is then linked back up at a later stage of the movie. The narrative of ourmovie that is then linked back up at a later stage of the movie. The narrative of our
thriller opening was that a suspicious man is walking around carrying a bag, and nothriller opening was that a suspicious man is walking around carrying a bag, and no
one quite knows who the man is? and what's in the bag? and where is he going?. Thenone quite knows who the man is? and what's in the bag? and where is he going?. Then
there is another section of opening where the man takes an anonymous phone call andthere is another section of opening where the man takes an anonymous phone call and
yet again the audience are asking questions such as; who is he talking to? and what isyet again the audience are asking questions such as; who is he talking to? and what is
he talking about?. The man then later on meets another man at a café. Then there'she talking about?. The man then later on meets another man at a café. Then there's
more questions being asked such as well who is this new man in the opening? and whymore questions being asked such as well who is this new man in the opening? and why
are they meeting? All of this is the narrative and these sort of enigma codes is whatare they meeting? All of this is the narrative and these sort of enigma codes is what
attracts the audience to our film as they are constantly asking themselves questions.attracts the audience to our film as they are constantly asking themselves questions.

7. ThemesThemes
The thriller opening indicates that the theme is based around some sort of conspiracy orThe thriller opening indicates that the theme is based around some sort of conspiracy or
cover up. We can see this by the meeting that takes place during the opening and bycover up. We can see this by the meeting that takes place during the opening and by
what the men are discussing during the opening. For example the men are having awhat the men are discussing during the opening. For example the men are having a
conversation about a micro chip, and at the end of the conversation one man says toconversation about a micro chip, and at the end of the conversation one man says to
another “they're watching you”. This comes across as a spy thriller as the openinganother “they're watching you”. This comes across as a spy thriller as the opening
indicates that there is some sort of conspiracy or cover up, and we associate this themeindicates that there is some sort of conspiracy or cover up, and we associate this theme
with spy thrillers such as James bond or the Bourne identity. This would appeal to thewith spy thrillers such as James bond or the Bourne identity. This would appeal to the
audience as the audience that we targeted are a young audience, and will continueaudience as the audience that we targeted are a young audience, and will continue
watching the film as they have many questions they want answered.watching the film as they have many questions they want answered.

8. Media languageMedia language
The media language is used to emphasise the conventions through aThe media language is used to emphasise the conventions through a
series of media effects. The media language alone does not createseries of media effects. The media language alone does not create
the opening however the media language is what is used to helpthe opening however the media language is what is used to help
interest the audience. The techniques that are used to show theinterest the audience. The techniques that are used to show the
media language through our opening include:media language through our opening include:
 Type of shotsType of shots
 Special effects (editing)Special effects (editing)

9. Type of shotsType of shots
In our thriller opening there are a variety of different shots in certain scenes usedIn our thriller opening there are a variety of different shots in certain scenes used
to create specific effects. For example at the start of the opening theto create specific effects. For example at the start of the opening the
establishing shots were used to make the audience aware of the location. Theestablishing shots were used to make the audience aware of the location. The
panning down shot of the sky scraper was to emphasise to the audience thepanning down shot of the sky scraper was to emphasise to the audience the
size of the building. Other shots such as the low angle shot of the mansize of the building. Other shots such as the low angle shot of the man
looking at his watch was used to cover the mans face, but then let thelooking at his watch was used to cover the mans face, but then let the
audience know that we are purposely covering the face. The purpose of thisaudience know that we are purposely covering the face. The purpose of this
shot is that it creates enigma and therefore excites the audience as, theshot is that it creates enigma and therefore excites the audience as, the
audience wants to know why the mans identity is kept hidden. Also otheraudience wants to know why the mans identity is kept hidden. Also other
shots such as the close up of the man from behind on the phone, was usedshots such as the close up of the man from behind on the phone, was used
for the same reason to keep the mans identity hidden, and this almostfor the same reason to keep the mans identity hidden, and this almost
frustrates the audience and forces them to continue watching in the hope thatfrustrates the audience and forces them to continue watching in the hope that
the mans identity will be revealed.the mans identity will be revealed.

10. Special effects (editing)Special effects (editing)
Through the course of our thriller opening we used a variety of skill full editingThrough the course of our thriller opening we used a variety of skill full editing
techniques that allowed the film to run smoothly. One of the editingtechniques that allowed the film to run smoothly. One of the editing
techniques used in the thriller opening would be the extremely smooth matchtechniques used in the thriller opening would be the extremely smooth match
on actions. An example of this can be seen in the opening when the man wason actions. An example of this can be seen in the opening when the man was
walking out the building through the revolving doors. Another use of thewalking out the building through the revolving doors. Another use of the
editing techniques would be the extremely fluent shot reverse shot used in theediting techniques would be the extremely fluent shot reverse shot used in the
opening. The shot reverse shot was used during the conversation between theopening. The shot reverse shot was used during the conversation between the
two men. It is important for these shots to be edited fluently as to not losetwo men. It is important for these shots to be edited fluently as to not lose
the interest and concentration of the audience.the interest and concentration of the audience.

11. MusicMusic
In the thriller opening there is dialogue used towards the end whenIn the thriller opening there is dialogue used towards the end when
the two men are in conversation. However throughout thethe two men are in conversation. However throughout the
course of the whole opening a non - diegtic soundtrack was usedcourse of the whole opening a non - diegtic soundtrack was used
in the background. The specific soundtrack was chosen as it wasin the background. The specific soundtrack was chosen as it was
a perfect match for the theme of our film, the soundtrack had aa perfect match for the theme of our film, the soundtrack had a
fast pace to it and contained a beat. The soundtrack is dramaticfast pace to it and contained a beat. The soundtrack is dramatic
however not too dramatic for the theme of the thriller opening.however not too dramatic for the theme of the thriller opening.
The soundtrack was played throughout the whole film fromThe soundtrack was played throughout the whole film from
beginning to end and was lowered each time there was use ofbeginning to end and was lowered each time there was use of
dialogue in the opening. The soundtrack has a straight impact ondialogue in the opening. The soundtrack has a straight impact on
the audience as it is the first thing you hear when watching thethe audience as it is the first thing you hear when watching the
opening. The soundtrack is both suspenseful and dramaticopening. The soundtrack is both suspenseful and dramatic
throughout.throughout.

12. Similarities with other filmsSimilarities with other films
The storyline for our thriller movie was unique however is was built up upon differentThe storyline for our thriller movie was unique however is was built up upon different
elements from a variety of different films. For example the idea of the café sceneelements from a variety of different films. For example the idea of the café scene
when the two men are talking was taken from the café scene in the film Leon, whenwhen the two men are talking was taken from the café scene in the film Leon, when
Leon and his contractor are discussing his next job in the café.Leon and his contractor are discussing his next job in the café.
Also the scene of theAlso the scene of the
security camera’ssecurity camera’s
following the man in ourfollowing the man in our
thriller opening, was alsothriller opening, was also
an element taken from aan element taken from a
film. The technique wasfilm. The technique was
taken from the filmtaken from the film
enemy of the state whenenemy of the state when
there is a shot of thethere is a shot of the
security camera’ssecurity camera’s
tracking someone.tracking someone.

13. Unique selling pointUnique selling point
In comparison to previous thriller openings that have been shownIn comparison to previous thriller openings that have been shown
from previous students, my thriller opening is unique in its sensefrom previous students, my thriller opening is unique in its sense
of the location chosen and how stylish it has been formatted.of the location chosen and how stylish it has been formatted.
However in comparison to well known spy thrillers such as JamesHowever in comparison to well known spy thrillers such as James
bond and mission impossible, the film follows the same thrillerbond and mission impossible, the film follows the same thriller
genre conventions you expect to see within these films. As allgenre conventions you expect to see within these films. As all
these films contain similar soundtracks, iconography, narrativethese films contain similar soundtracks, iconography, narrative
and dominant role played by a male.and dominant role played by a male.