The document provides an analysis of the film "Macabre" and how it uses and challenges conventions of the mystery thriller and drama genres. It summarizes how the film uses elements of setting, lighting, props, sound, editing, and characters consistent with these genres. It also examines how the film represents the social groups and issues of the power dynamics between the two main female characters, Rose and Jade, challenging stereotypes of how women are typically portrayed in media.

1. CRITICAL REFLECTION
Question#1
By Sarah Faisal

2. How does your product use of challenge
conventions and how does it represent social
groups and issues?

3. My film “Macabre” follows all of the basic conventions that showcase in the genre of Mystery thriller
and of the drama genre evident from low key lighting, uncomfortable and rather unsettling
atmosphere, series of mid shots and close-up shots , slow-paced editing and intense music.

4. SETTING:
An atmosphere of menace and unexpected violence such as crime and murders are basic characteristics of
Mystery Thriller. The tension is created when a character is placed in a dangerous situation exposed to the fear
of death or harm. Threat to life is due to life is because of the main character’s unknowingly involvement in a
dangerous act. These can take place in any ordinary suburb or city or at exotic places. Drama can include any
story and can take place anywhere. In my film you’ll observe that the scene takes place in a small , cluttered
room , the scene opens up with tension in the air indicating unexpected violence which is later seen to be true.

5. LIGHTING:
Mystery thrillers use low key lighting to create the atmosphere of mystery and suspense , it does so my hiding
faces of people half way or completely and shadows are created to add up the thrill. According to my film all of
these factors are seen to be assured as low key lighting is used, shadows of both the antagonist and protagonist
are visible in some of the close up and mid shots with half way lit faces. On the contrary the drama genre uses
normal to high-key lighting with, little to no shadows. This is being challenged in my film as it only showcases the
use of low-key lighting as per to give an eerie atmosphere.

6. PROPS:
Props are equipments used by the characters , each tell a story and have a meaning behind it . The thriller based films
use props such as knives, guns, masks, ropes and various instruments of torture and killing. As for drama there is no
specific prop , it all depends on the sub-genre. In my film you can observe items such as hammer, screw drivers and a
blade giving the feel of thrill while the blade is the weapon of choice of the lead character. The prop that basically adds
up to the element of drama is basically the frame lying on the floor which is being cracked my the lead to show her anger
towards the side character who plays the victim in my film, lead’s step-sister.

7. SOUND:
In mystery thrillers non-diegetic music is often used to create tension and suspense as well. The sound starts of
slowly and intensifies during the course of the clip. There are some diegetic sounds used too to add up to the
enigma of the scene. In the genre of drama realistic sounds are used to indicate the audience that this may be
actually happening therefore they can relate to it. My opening sequence abides of this convention as I’ve added
sound that intensifies when the violence is indicated by the lead character as she picks up the switch blade. And
the insert of the original audio where the protagonist breaks the frame’s glass abided the rules of the Drama’s
genre.

8. EDITING:
When it comes down to the thriller genre namely mystery thriller we witness usage of various tight and long
shots short and long takes and moving as well as stationary shots which adds up to the enigma of the scene,
these shots allow the scene to flow without any interruptions for the most part. For the genre of drama long
shots, mid shots and closeups are used the most, the slow or fast paced editing depends on the story. My
clipping showcases usage of fast paced editing as well as slow paced but what you are more likely to witness fast
paced editing because the clip only employs shots which are no longer than maximum 10 – 20 seconds.

9. CHARACTERS:
Thriller films are usually villain driven plots. For drama it may vary depending on the sub-genre. Character’s in
thriller films usually have an aura of mystery to them usually dressed in dark clothing. Drama employs light
shades of clothes compared to the dark shades in a thriller film, the characters have a pitiful back story and
showcases a struggle in their life. My film is a villain driven were the victim is innocent and you can sympathize
with her but you can.

10. SOCIAL GROUPS AND ISSUES:
My clipping stars 2 women naming Rose and Jade. Rose plays the
character of the villain while Jade plays the victim. The family
revolves around family conflict and revenge of Rose for her
mother’s blood from her father by killing those dear to him one by
one which begins with the love child of his that is Jade which he
had through an affair and for which he chose to kill his wife , Rose’s
mother. My opening sequence provides with a great contrast
between the two females of what media portrays as a “good” and a
“bad” woman. According to Laura Marvey’s theory of Male gaze
women underrepresented in the media society as being dominated
by a male point of view where men play active roles and females
play passive roles. In my film you can see no males, made from a
female point of view there is adequate representation of females.
Here you will witness a damsel in distress and a fighter. Following
up with this is the mindset of women being decorations to the plot,
they simply provide a breathing space in my film although Jade
plays the victim who is this damsel in distress, submissive, her
character does not provide us with a breathing space , it initiates
the thrill , through her we are introduced to the lead character who
further adds to the trill. The baseline of Rose’s character is set by
Jade’s character therefore she’s not insignificant. Rose’s character
resented to violence, she has a strong character and her posture
communicates power contrary to the believe that all women are
soft Rose has no sympathy, no fear, no pity whatsoever , she
caresses the blade in a way which is visible to Jade , beaten up Jade
is frightened , her eyes beg for mercy but Rose has no intention of
letting her go. In such a tense situation she chose to glam her up
and tease Jade by coming at her and smiling brightly.