Real media research.

1. Media Research- Teen Thriller
l BY SOPHIE JONES

2. TWILIGHT- Breaking Dawn Part 2

3. Genre Conventions
The films opens with the words ‘Summit entertainment’ with
the mountain logo in the back. This shows who the production
owners are and the titles and credits come shortly after. An over
head tracking shot is being used at this point as the camera moves
quickly above the forest. This builds tension as it leaves the audience
feeling tense as they are wondering where they are going. It is
essential to build tension at the very start of a thriller film as it grips
the audiences attention making them want to carry on watching the
film.

4. Genre conventions
An establishing shot is used as the film title appears on the
screen. This shows a landscape of hills, trees and the sunset. The
setting looks quite dark and mysterious which appeals to teens and
makes it more like a thriller. The title of the film fades on in front of
the long shot and then turns from red to white. The colour red
could signify death or love which are two popular themes in
thrillers.

5. Genre Conventions
An extreme close up shot of an eye is then shown. This
makes the film seem a bit weird and unusual. This is done to
grab the target audience attention (teens). The fact that the eye
is red is very unusual too as eyes are usually green, brown or
blue. This could have been done to represent danger which is
also a key theme in thrillers.

6. Genre Conventions
The extreme close up then suddenly changes and
zooms out to show both eyes (a close up shot). It’s clear
that the person being shown is a young pretty girl so the
audience automatically assume that she will be a main
character in this film. The fact that she is young may grip
the target audiences attention as they are teenagers
aswell.

7. Genre Conventions
Shallow focus is then used when the close up of the
hand is shown. All the attention is on the hand as the trees
in the background have been totally blurred out. This has
been done to attract attention to the ring on the finger.
Once again, this leaves the audience wanting to know the
story behind this all and it makes the film seem mysterious
(like most thrillers do).

8. Genre Conventions
A close up shot is then used to show the characters
relationship with eachother. The audience assumes that
these people are together and in love. They are young so
teenagers would be able to relate to this. As there is a man
and a woman, this could be stereotypical to thrillers as its
usually the woman getting in trouble and the man then
saving her.

9. Genre Conventions
In this over shoulder shot, the characters look
concerned about something which may mean there is a
problem that needs to be sorted out. There always seems to
be a problem in thrillers and the main characters are the
ones who are mostly involved and seem to get hurt.

10. Genre Conventions
In this over the shoulder shot, it shows the reflection of the
two main characters. This confuses the audience and builds
tension. The audience want to know whats going on as it's
weird that we can see the back of the characters as well as
their reflection in the mirror. It makes the opening seem more
mysterious which grabs attention and causes the audience to
carry on watching it.

11. Genre Conventions
In this over-head tracking shot of a forest with many
trees, the audience feels as if they are flying over it in a
helicopter. This builds tension because it makes the
audience wonder where they are going. This is conventional
to thrillers because it keeps the audience guessing as to
what is going to happen. This could link with the theme of
the film as it's supernatural.

12. WARM BODIES

13. √
Opening/Genre Conventions
The film opens with the 'Summit Entertainment' logo
and the titles then appear on the screen afterwards. This
shows the production company's that were involved with
making the film. It gives the audience a bit of information
about the film. The background behind the logos look very
mysterious and creepy which is stereotypical for thriller
films.

14. l Opening/Genre Conventions
l During the opening sequence, the title of the film appears on
the screen. The fact that it is in a bright orange colour, it stand
out to the audience more. Also, its in a strange font which may
signify how the film is a bit unusual and weird. It fades in the
screen with a magic type of dust then fades out again as it's
squashed. This could signify drops of blood which can be
linked to thriller films as there is often violence and fights.

15. Genre/opening conventions
This shot shows the first close up of the character and is
shown straight after the opening titles have finished. The fact that he is the
first character to be shown may suggest that he is one of the main characters.
His facial expressions look dull and miserable. His lips are blue when usually
they should be a pink colour so this is mysterious and makes him appear to
be weird and different.This attracts the audience's attention as they can tell that
something is not right which makes them wanting to watch more and find out
whats wrong with him.

16. Genre conventions
Then, there is a mid-long shot of an older aged man also looking very dull holding
a mop.
The fact that he has the same expression as the younger man may suggest that
they're both miserable for the same reason and can relate to each other with
whatever situation they are in. By now, the voiceover has already told the
audience that all these people are dead to help them understand what is
going on and makes the audience wonder why they are all walking about.
The use of dull, gloomy, dark colours are very conventional to thrillers
because it makes the setting seem intense
and builds lots of tension.

17. Genr e conventions
The camera then cuts to a short scene with an old man
and it's clear to the audience that is a flashback. The use of brown colour on
the screen and a thick black outline around the edges suggests that it was quite a
while ago. Also, the man is holding a mop just like the previous screenshot
which shows a link between the setting and what the characters are doing.
This is a genre convention in thrillers as the editing techniques used
(continuity editing, jump-cuts, fades etc...) are effective as they build tension
and leave the audience with unanswered questions.

18. Genre conventions
In this shot, many different images appear on the screen each one fading into the other.
A superimposition is used whilst there is a voice over.
The word on the screen is in a big bold black font which stands out and attracts attention.
The colour black is very popular in thrillers as it's very dark and dull. The image in
the background of two people in protective suits may imply that they need to be
protected by something (e.g. a disease). This may be the reason why everyone
is dead. The superimposition builds up suspense even more as the screen becomes
over powered by the different images. Also, the fact that they are all behind the main
character could suggest that they are watching over him or hovering behind him.
This creates a tense atmosphere and leaves the audience feeling worried.

19. Gen re conventions
This is a point of view shot showing weird skeleton creatures
looking straight into the camera as the main character is in that position.
It signifies danger and violence as they look as if they are going to
approach the character. This starts to make the audience understand
whats going on as they can associate these creatures with being the bad guys.
The setting is conventional to thrillers as it looks dark and scary which creates a
tense atmosphere.

20. Genre conventions
Shot reverse is then used between the main character and two young
children.
They do not say anything but just look at each other straight in their eyes which
creates a mysterious vibe between them. It's like there is a connection
between them which gives a sense of hope to the main character and
reassures him that he is not the only one in the situation. There is non
digetic sound (soft music) being played in the background which can be
related to how the character is feeling now.

21. Opening/Genre conventions
This opening sequence ends with an establishing/ high angle
shot of an airport with the main character walking towards the plane.
This is a conventional shot for a thriller film as it makes the audience
interested in what is going on. By showing a plane, the audience assume
that the main character is going somewhere to do something that will
eventually lead into the main plot.

22. ADULTHOOD

23. Opening conventions
The opening sequence starts by showing that the film is a
'UK film' which may be important to some viewers as they
could be interested in that. The black background makes
the white bold writing stand out.

24. Genre conventions
A close up shot is used again in this scene which shows a man in a car who's windows
have just been smashed by a teenage boy. This is once again an example of
violent behaviour which typically is shown in thriller movies. The fact that the man is
looking away at this point may have been done to mock the older generation to
prove a point that teenagers are more clever and can get away with more. The
dark colours represent danger and makes the audience
feel scared and worried.

25. Genre conventions
A mid-long shot is then used to show a gang of teenagers standing in
a group. This makes them seem very intimidating to the audience as
they don't look happy and have dull expressions on their faces.
No one seems to be happy which may suggest that they are angry
about something and are ready to fight/argue.
Violence is a convention of thriller films as problems are always
dealt with by fighting.

26. Genre conventions
This close up shot shows two teenagers smoking and it appears to be night time.
This is conventional to teen thrillers as smoking is a stereotype of what rebellious
teenagers do so many teenagers will be able to relate to it. The fact that
it seems to be at night may signify that these teenagers are out to cause
trouble without
getting caught as not many people will be out to stop them.

27. Genre conventions
In this shot, we see two teenage boys and one of them is holding
a gun. The fact that there are guns involved signifies danger and
violence.
The background looks dark and rough which makes the
audience feel tense as they think something bad is going to
happen and is conventional to thriller films.

28. Genre conventions
There is then a tracking shot which follows a
teenager and a police man.
The fact that a police man is in the scene suggest that the
teenager is in trouble for doing something bad. Both characters
don't look happy here which must mean that there is some sort
of problem that needs to be resolved.

29. Genre conventions
In this mid-long shot, the main character appears
to be facing away from the camera. This suggest that he is going
somewhere and is on a mission to find something/ someone. As it is day time,
the character seems to be covered up as if he doesn't want people to see him
or know who he is. This could be because he doesn't want to get caught
for something that he might have done. This is conventional in thrillers as
someone is always on a mission to either find someone or get away from
someone.

30. Genre conventions
This shot shows a group of black teenagers on the bus.
People on the bus may feel quite intimidated by there being such a big
group. They all look as if they're going somewhere to do something
bad which is a typical stereotype of what most older people think
about teenagers.
This could also be conventional to thrillers too as there are always trouble
makers in thriller films.

31. Genre conventions
This mid-long shot shows one of the main characters
by the door of someones home. We don't know who's
house it us but we automatically assume that this boy is going to
do something bad as he isn't a nice character in this film. The area looks
very run down and rough which may be why the teenagers are
bad and cause trouble.

32. l OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN

33. Opening/ Genre conventions
An over-head tracking shot is then used showing a forest
with many tree's that are covered in snow. This gives the audience
the impression that they are travelling somewhere and its
effective as it builds suspense and makes them want to
continue watching the film.This is a thriller convention because
it keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, wondering what
is going to happen next.

34. Opening/ Genre conventions
This films opens with the Millennium logo and the
titles which list the production company credits.
There is a black background which makes the lighter
coloured writing stand out to the audience.

35. Opening/ Genre conventions
There is a fade in of the titles before all of the action starts. Once again, the
background is black which makes the
words stand out. A variety of different colours are used on the title
which is unusual and different just like thrillers are. The audience can
see the American flag waving behind the title which includes the
colour red.This could signify anger, danger and blood which are all
related to thrillers. The font used is very bold and it makes it seem
more threatening. This is conventional to thrillers.

36. Genre conventions
Next, there is an establishing shot of a street.
A large cabin is shown with many lights and is the centre of attention.
The setting looks very dark and gloomy as it's night time which makes
the audience think that something bad is going to happen. This is
conventional in thrillers as most of the action/violence happens at night time.
However, as the cabin is the only thing lit up, it makes it seem mysterious
and scary in some ways. The contrast of colours are conventional to
thrillers are it builds tension and makes the audience feel tense.

37. Genre conventions
Then, a birds eye view shot of two men fighting in a boxing ring is shown.
Boxing is a violent sport which involves contact with both people
and this is conventional to thrillers because there is often physical
contact with the characters. The outside of the room is dark making
the audience focus on the to men. This creates tension and make the
audience feel quite uneasy and afraid.

38. Genre conventions
This shot shows a car that has just crashed
and it's the first main action in this film. A worms eye view shot of the limo is
used to create a sense of fear and makes the audience feel
worried about what has just happened. This crash is quite tragic and is life
threatening for the main character. This is a thriller convention as the
audience feel worried and scared about the situation.

39. Genre conventions
A mid-long shot is then used to show the presidents facial
expression. We can see his pain and fear as his mouth
and eyes are both wide open. The audience doesn't know what he
is looking at but can tell that it's not good.This builds up tension and
keeps the audience interested in the film.

40. Opening/Genre conventions
The very last shot of action that is shown in the opening sequence is a birds eye view shot.
It is also seems very gloomy and dark colours are used to portray this. This
is conventional to thriller films as bright colours wouldn't suit this genre.
The next shot has '18 months later'
which clearly shows a change in time.By doing this, the audience assume that things
have changed as time has gone by. This is conventional to opening sequences
as it builds tension leaving the audience feel gripped to the film as want to know
what happens next.