2. Within this question I will explain in detail the ways in which my media product, a short film,
develops or challenges the forms and conventions of real media products. I will begin by
revisiting my planning and research stage so that I can portray how I got to this final stage with
my media project.
During the beginning stages of this project, I buried myself mostly into research. I began by
looking into three particular genres that appealed to me the most, these included: Horror,
comedy and romance. To allow me to see the specific codes and conventions that are needed in
these three genres, I found an appropriate film posters for each one, and critically analysed
them all in detail. I feel that by observing three of my favourite movie genres before starting
any form of planning, I was in a better position when it came round to choosing a genre, as I
understood three different genres codes and conventions, and what was expected by each one.
Furthermore although I had now completed my analysis of genres, I thought it would be
appropriate to then research into the typical codes and conventions found on film posters in
general. By doing so, I was made aware of what was expected from me when I made my own
poster, however I did not concentrate specifically on these, as they were a generalisation and
can be changed pending on the genre you are focusing on. I also then repeated this stage, by
looking at the codes and conventions for double page spreads. I then critically analysed specific
double page spreads that where based on films so that I could see the typical house style, and
layout that was used in order to give me inspiration for when it came to creating my own.
PLANNING AND ANALYSIS
3. When it came to choosing a genre to base my
short film on, I chose horror. To help me come to
my decision I carried out primary research in the
format of two questionnaires. The first one was a
general questionnaire based on films, and the
genres that people prefer, by having done this I
came to the conclusion that the favourite genres
were comedy and horror. I was pleased with this
result as both genres are two of my own
favourites. Having said this after weighing the
pros and cons to each genre, I decided that it
would be more interesting to create a horror film.
PRIMARY RESEARCH
4. When it came to shooting my film idea, I had to ensure that I used the correct techniques in
order to follow the codes and conventions of horror films. Beforehand me and my partner,
thought it appropriate to watch a series of horror films, so that we could gain inspiration on
camera angles, camera shots, lighting and sound. The films we watched included: the grudge,
saw, cabin in the woods, mama and insidious.
After having watched each film, we made notes on the specific camera shots and angles that
stood out to us, and posted the clip examples onto our blog. The shots that we noted were: High
angle shots, low angle shots, tracking shots, close ups, point of view, and extreme close ups. We
also noted that the footage always appeared to be low saturated, and the surroundings were
often dark. In regards to the sound used, ominous music was used continuously throughout the
horror films to build tension, suspense, and to create an overall eerie atmosphere.
RESEARCH
5. When filming, we included several tracking shots
of the films antagonist. We followed his footsteps
at a low angle, we thought this appropriate as the
antagonist in the narrative is “stalking” the
female character in the film, so by including a
tracking shot, we were creating suspense and
tension therefore fitting in with the codes and
conventions of horror films. We also ensured that
we used close up shots, in order to reveal the
emotion on our main characters face, resulting in
heightening the viewer’s anxieties, and allowing
them to feel threatened at the same time as the
characters in the film. We also included a series
of point of view shots in our film, in order to
convey that our main characters are in fact in
danger, and being watched. The point of view
shot was taken from the perspective of the
antagonist, so that the viewers were then made
to feel uncomfortable yet aware of what is
happening, unlike the characters that are in
danger.
FILMING- SHOTS AND ANGLES
Tracking shot in our film
Close up shot in our film
Point of view shot in our film
6. Another feature that my partner and I had picked up on, with our own
experiences of watching horror films in the past, was that bathroom
scenes are often used to display particularly scary or threatening parts of
the film. We both decided that we wanted to include a bathroom scene
into our own film, by having the antagonist hide behind the shower
curtain, whilst the victim stands there oblivious, until he hears a sound.
We felt that this was an appropriate scene as it added suspense.
FILMING- Bathroom scene
Existing bathroom scenes in horror films
Our Own bathroom scene
7. Furthermore, although we aimed to follow the typical codes and conventions
used in horror films, we did however challenge and adapt certain aspects
within our own film. The main convention that we challenged, was that our
footage was filmed in daylight. This was not necessarily the plan we originally
had, but after our experience with our first film, and the poor result we got due
to the lack of lighting at night, we came to the conclusion that we could instead
film in daylight and just challenge the typical convention of horror films being
shot in the dark. At first we doubted the result, as the daylight did not create
our footage to appear scary or threatening. However after having converted all
of our footage to a lower saturation, a lot of the contrast and brightly lit colours
appeared more drawn and dull, still fitting in with the codes and conventions of
a horror film.
CHALLENGING CODES AND CONVENTIONS
Before and After colour desaturation.
8. In regards to music my partner and I first disagreed with the matter,
as he believed the lack of music added to the overall “creepiness” of
the film. However as a trial we inserted a threatening track we
found, to the beginning few clips of our film, and found that it
instantly just fitted well with the film. We then added appropriate
music to a few other scenes in our film, and found that it truly did
add suspense and tension to the film, as well as creating an overall
scary atmosphere.
FILM -MUSIC
This is a soundtrack that was played in
the film “the thing”. We used the song
“humanity part 2” which is at 32:24 for
the opening of our film.
We also used a part of this track called
“PRISON” in a clip of our film.
9. In regards to the theorists that I researched in my planning stage, I
wanted to ensure that I had included and detected them in my
own footage. Todrov’s narrative structure was somewhat inserted
into my film, however the equilibrium where everything is said to
be balanced at the beginning, is trickier to detect in my film, as it is
usually the opening scene in a horror film where everything is
calm and happy. Whereas my opening scene began with a point of
view shot following one of the characters into the house, so
automatically sets it up to be suspicious. However you could say
that the equilibrium was the scene where the couple is on the sofa
watching a film and everything appears to be calm to them as un
like the audience, they are oblivious. The Disequilibrium could be
seen when the antagonist breaks into the house, by jumping the
garden fence. However the new equilibrium is yet again hard to
spot in my film as the ending is somewhat distressing, and leaves
it open for a second film.
Furthermore Levi-Strauss’s theory of binary oppositions can be
detected in my film as empowerment VS weakness. This is
because the antagonist holds power over the main characters that
as a result are weak.
THEORISTS
10. When it came to creating my poster and double page spread, I followed
the codes and conventions closely, by creating a house style by using
three colours continuous: red, black and white. I also ensured that I
listened to the audience feedback I received in order to create a better
result and for it to appeal to my target audience.
Overall, I think I have followed the codes and conventions of the horror
genre well. However I did challenge certain aspects in order to develop
and create a better outcome for my film.
DOULBE PAGE SPREAD AND POSTER
12. Our overall aim with our main product (the film)and the ancillary
texts (double page spread and poster) was to create all three
products to appear to be a successful brand. In order to do this, I
had to ensure that the products linked together., so that the
audience can instantly assume after seeing one, that it is connected
with the other. Below are my three products.
THREE PRODUCTS
