2. The thriller film genre convention can be found in the variety of sub-
genres. This includes: Murky colour structures and low key lighting used
in order to signify the unknown and suspense. The type of lighting used
for my media product was very important when making a thriller film.
This is because lighting can change the image and message coming
across within different genres. Thriller movies use dim, dark low key
lighting .This is shown in many of my scenes involving the stalker on the
computer this is because light can create a mood of tension and
frightening behaviour. Most murder and stalking scenes are usually
presented with a sinister tone and eerie setting. The train station and a
bedroom was the main scene of my film because settings that depict a
normal and everyday environment add to the suspense and
vulnerability.
Isolation is a common theme which shows the character as vulnerable in
comparison to the antagonist. This is presented throughout the opening
sequence as the protagonist is seen to be walking alone and is desperate
for company as she is constantly on her phone. Anxious appearance
during the stalking, shows a clear sense of pursuit between the
protagonist and the antagonist, creating suspense and tension. in a
mystery and thriller movie there is usually a plot twist or Concluding
recognition of why the antagonist has acted in a certain way, normally
due to a connection with the protagonist. However cause it’s an opening
sequence it would be impracticable to place a plot twist or meaning.
3. Unknown being a Mystery /Thriller film with hints of social
network problems would mainly be aimed for males and
females aged predominately 15-19, with most of the
people which I surveyed being within this age group.
However, due to the mixed genres mystery and thriller
within the open sequence could also appeal to those
younger and older than this age group. Thrillers appeal to
both male and female audiences and a variety of social
classes conventionally through the use of relatable
characters and themes. The target audience would also be
interested in modern life and viewers into technology, this
is linked the Thriller film genre which conventionally
influenced by real-life events. Thrillers that interests my
target audience is the use of suspense and tension. As they
are more likely to appeal to young adults due to the
exciting and fast-paced nature of them this can be
specifically seen with psychological thrillers which uses
constant twists in plot to keep the audience on the edge of
their seat.
4. Before the shooting of the film I planned out a questionnaire
for my target audience for the characters of the opening
sequence. What I found out from the audience is that their
drawn to character which they can relate to and build
sympathy with as the narrative continues. The characters of
unknown are teens this is because during the teenage years
social media and technology is the constant focus.
Audience are attracted to the mystery of disguise. The
mystery of disguise is conventionally used on the antagonist
character so that the audience are unaware of what the
character is like. Unknown attracts the audience as the
antagonist character is presented in the same concepts. It is
not revealed his full identification in the film as it is just an
opening sequence.
With my research I was able to discover that the audience who
appeal to thriller love the concepts of it like: Uncertainty and
Tension, Theatrical Atmosphere and Adrenalin Feeling etc.
Unknown provides these concepts, leaving the audience on
the edge of their chair wanting more. A lot of scenes
5. Since the preliminary task I have gained & developed my
knowledge and understanding on technologies and their
use. When doing the preliminary task it was as students
first time filming a project therefore did not have an
understanding for products such as tripods, mic however
slowly being taught about what each product and going out
film we gained the knowledge by fiddling about with the
resources ourselves to ensure our filming came out how we
wanted it. Furthermore I have learnt that technologies are
more complex then what we tend to believe at first as an
example could be when editing the first preliminary task
we had to use a software whereby we have never used and
had to add music in the background make different effects
all had to be taught with limited help. This created us to
expand and development in understanding of different
technologies in this project was key and overall a great
thing to understand and learn in our media task.