The document discusses how the creator of a short horror film used and challenged conventions of the genre in their film. They started by researching conventions like using an initially happy setting that deteriorates ("equilibrium") and common character and location tropes. Their film adhered to some conventions like using a wooded setting and innocently dressed protagonist but challenged conventions like using more daylight lighting. Screenshots compare scenes and characters in their film to those in established horror films. The creator also compared their film marketing materials like the poster and title sequence to real horror films to show how they used genre conventions while developing their own style.

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

2. The Horror Genre and Narrative
I decided to create a Horror film, as I thought this would be a great genre to use to make a short film. The genre
itself has so much flexibility, and the variety of different horror films, hybrids and sub genres are endless.
To start making my short film, I had to research the conventions of horror films. I did this in lots of
different ways from film deconstructions to researching narrative theory.
Horror films almost always start off with a happy beginning, they do this to set the atmosphere happy, so that
they can knock it down and shock the audience. This links in with Todorov’s idea of equilibrium and how a film
starts off with equilibrium and slowly breaks apart until in the middle of the film the equilibrium is gone and
there is chaos. I used this when creating my film, the protagonist starts off walking down a lit walk way with no
dangers at all, but the equilibrium quickly falls apart.
The images below show the equilibrium in an established film such as ‘The Cabin In The Woods’
This is the beginning of the film when This is the middle of the film were This is the end of the film and what's
the equilibrium is established. It’s a they use more face shots and use happened has been restored, and the
sunny day with good lighting, it low key lighting witch conveys the equilibrium is back. The shots are
based in an public area with up beat genre of horror and the equilibrium much better lit and the music is more
music is gone. upbeat.

3. Location
The location I used for my film adheres to the horror genre. I based my location in the woods as this is a
popular location for horror films and it gives the feeling of isolation and helplessness. I did some research on
other films before choosing my location the woods seemed a popular choice, lots of major films use the woods
and the location itself creates a scary feeling without the need for props. The only problems I had with
choosing the woods for my location is the lighting issues, as I’m not a big film director I don’t have access to
lights so I had to work with natural light and try to get it at the right times as continuity was also an issue.
Snapshot from established
Snapshot from my
film ‘Shrooms’.
film.

4. Characters
The Characters in horror films play the biggest part of whether its successful or not. If you don’t feel for the
protagonist then you simply won’t care if they die or not, emotion is an important part of it. To create the
emotion you need to make the audience feel sorry for your protagonist, and feel scared of your antagonist.
I feel I did this well, I portrayed my protagonist in a stereotypical way, I used a middle age girl (audience
can relate) who looks very innocent just going for a walk to meet her friend. I feel by doing this I will have made
the audience like her and not want her to die. I’ve used costume that is not revealing at all so you don’t think
she deserves it. As you can see in the pictures below my protagonist is dressed in a similar way to the
protagonist in the movie ‘Scream’ they are both represented as innocent girls, and not in any way provoking
what happens.
The antagonist is also an important character as if the audience is not scared of them then they wont
find the film scary and not even care about the protagonist as it’s too far fetched. I wanted to portray my
character as mysterious so I avoided showing his face to make the audience more scared. I also dressed him in
a dark long coat, as this is a popular convention dressing them in dark clothes.
Protagonist from the movie ‘Scream’ My Antagonist
My protagonist Antagonist from ‘ Friday the 13th’

5. Lighting
Lighting is another important part of horror films as it is important for setting the atmosphere and mood. Most
horror films use low key lighting, and keep it dark. This is a good convention as it being dark creates mystery
and most people find the dark scary. I wanted to challenge this convention and base my horror film more in
daylight to show that it doesn’t only happen in the dark, but can happen anywhere, anytime. The lighting I
chose was also very natural as I didn’t want to add any artificial lighting, I had to choose well what time of the
day to film my film to make it match up with the light I wanted.
Snapshot from my film

6. Media Product Comparison
To give a real idea of what ways my media
product uses, develops or challenges forms and
conventions of real media products, I wanted to
show it in comparison with established
products. So I compared screenshots from my
film with an actual horror film. I compared my
front cover and film review with established
products as well.

7. Title Sequence – My title sequence Middle of Film- This is both a
and that from an established film, are snapshot from my film and an established
very similar. They both start on black film used before. Both shots have similar
screens with the film name slowly lighting except the one of the established
appearing on screen. Sound is also similar shot is slightly darker, both shots are
with both films using quiet, creepy, framed well, except the top of the actors
ambient music. head in mine is slightly cut off.

8. Both posters have a tag line
that is short, but effective.
My film poster Both posters use a strong Established film poster
main image, and I have made
my image dark just like they
have, they both use creepy
locations with low key
lighting. In the established
poster they have used their
antagonist on the poster,
whereas I have used my
protagonist.
I have used a similar
convention to make sure my
title is clear by making it a
brighter colour and a bigger
font, just like they have,
Another common
convention my poster
uses is the text below
the title, containing,
directors,
cast,producers etc.
I also used the convention of
mentioning when it will be in
cinemas and put the distribution
company's logo

9. Both reviews have sections for information about
film such as directors, certificate etc.
Both film
names are
clear and easy
to read
Snapshots from the
film is a common
convention
Summary or
‘verdict’ section

10. Media Products in Real Situations
To furthermore test my media products, I placed
my film review and magazine front cover in
appropriate places were you would find them to
see if they looked real and if people would
agree.