The document discusses the conventions used in the opening of a thriller film created by the author. It uses common thriller conventions like suspenseful music, appropriate setting, interrogation, dialogue, shot reverse shots and jumping cuts. The opening represents only the male gender. The film would likely be released in independent cinemas through the Independent Cinema Office. The target audience is 18-30 year old males and females due to the modern style and violent themes. Creating an opening that uses thriller conventions and includes prominent dialogue and violent content will attract audiences to the genre. Creating the opening introduced the author to new filmmaking equipment, editing software, and the importance of sound editing.

1. Evaluation

2. Conventions of a Thriller My thriller opening does not attempt to challenge conventions of a thriller, but use many of the common conventions seen and heard in thrillers, such as the use suspenseful music, appropriate setting and even in terms of subject matter, for interrogation is commonplace within the thriller genre. It does, I feel, use more dialogue than an opening sequence normally would. I felt this was necessary, because the storyline is central and needed some explanation in relation to the title. Use of shot reverse shots, jumping cuts and suspenseful soundtracking are common features in thrillers.

3. Presentation of Social Groups In terms of social groups, I made no direct attempt to represent any specific social group. If it were to represent any social group, it would have to represent simply the male gender. It symbolizes them as figures of power and violence, and controlled by hierarchy, such as a crime family in this instance. So, the small representation of social groups is conventional to any form of media, not just a thriller. The only two characters in the opening were not directly used in order to represent social groups.

4. Media Institutions I think, based on the level of filming an setting choice, my film would probably be released into more independent cinemas, rather than through major cinemas. The ICO (Independent Cinema Office) are in charge of organisation an screening of independent films across the country, so I would hope to have this organised to be screened in nationwide cinemas through the ICO. The ICO logo. http://www.independentfilmoffice.org.uk

5. Audience As this is a thriller, the age I would personally classify it at already is 16 and above. However, due to language and potential violent content and implications, the focus would be to a slightly older audience. I would aim to advertise the film to 18 – 30 year olds (both male and female) specifically, due to the more moderns style and violent themes. However, usually the thriller genre attracts fans of the genre.

6. Attracting the audience By creating an opening to a thriller, and by using conventions of the genre, the style will attract audience. Also, the individual aspects, such as the use of prominent dialogue in the opening sequence and the violent content, will attract greater audience numbers. The violent actions and implications are an attraction to a modern audience.

7. Use of technology Throughout the filming and production of my opening sequence, I was introduced to new equipment and new software. In terms of technology, this was the first instance I had ever used a video camera with tripod, so I have learnt a lot about the practical issues and capabilities of standard camera equipment. And in terms of software, this is also the first time I had ever used and kind of film editing software, in this instance iMovie. This has given me the opportunity to experiment with new software and learn about the capabilities it has, such as sound editing software built into the editing software.

8. Preliminary to Final Product From doing the preliminary task, I fully understood the problems and issues that come with creating a film. I think one of the most things I have learnt is the time pressures involved. Timing is crucial, especially in the instance of the thriller where a large number of shots are required e.g. shot reverse shot and jump cuts. Also, I learned to use basic sound recording equipment, which add further to the aspect of time pressures. Also, I have learnt the importance of sound editing, in the incorporating of both music and sound effects. My preliminary film seemed to lack atmosphere due to a lack of a simple soundtrack. So, the focus in my final project was to use suspenseful music and appropriate sound effects. Practising shot reverse shots in my preliminary films were useful for my final piece.