This document summarizes how the student's media product, titled "Blind Premonitions", uses and challenges conventions of real thriller films. It establishes that the opening scene builds tension through sound like typical thrillers. Supernatural elements are also used conventionally. However, it challenges conventions by not clearly showing the antagonist or explaining the narrative upfront. It also decided against including graphic violence shown in films like "Sinister". Costume, settings, and certain shots are discussed as both conforming to and challenging thriller genre conventions.

1. Evaluation
Kiran Raza

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

3. -The thriller opening sequel uses the stereotypical conventions of
a thriller film, such as the techniques such as sound used to build
up tension and suspense within the audience. As well as this like
other films the title ‘blind premonitions’ doesn’t reveal much
about the film therefore keeps that sense of mystery for the
audience until they actually watch the full film, where then
they realise the link between the product and the title.
•
-We have also used the typical ‘supernatural forms’ which are
shown in many psychological thriller films, such as ‘the pact’,
‘paranormal activity’ and ‘sinister’ this aspect to the film adds to
the initial ‘thrilling’ theme as it builds up tension and leaves a
number of questions within the audiences mind therefore
engaging them and keeping them interested throughout the
film.

4. The Pact (2012) Blind Premonitions.
In both films the element of a supernatural form is used, this presents a hybrid of
psychological to the thriller genre. As well as this an element of a bench is used. This may
hold significance meaning in The Pact as it is focused upon whereas the background is
blurred. This also holds a significant meaning in Blind Premonitions as it is stressed upon
twice in the film, where the flashbacks occur. This emphasise the supernatural form and
suggests a sense of seclusion within the world she is in. Both films therefore share a similarity.
However there is a contrast shown in terms of lighting. In blind premonitions the lighting is
dark key whereas in The Pact it is high key. Within Blind Premonitions the dark is used to
represent a struggle and a derelict location whereas in the Pact the lightness may be used
to emphasize the supernatural form and her purity/innocence.

5. -Our film has some aspects where it challenges some conventions
of a real media product. For example, the gruesome aspect and
the use of blood. Usually in a thriller in the opening scene the
antagonist appears in some way or another causing
psychological or physical harm to the antagonist or other
characters in the scene, whether they are seen or not. However
with our interpretation the antagonist nor protagonist are made
clear therefore leaves the audience guessing as to what the
narrative is therefore making them want to watch further. This
use of violence within the opening scene is depicted in the film
‘sinister’ where a family are seen to be hanged while the
antagonist looks on. We felt this aspect of violence and gore
should not be used within our film as through the research we
had done previously our target audience thought there was no
need for violence to be featured in a thriller, therefore we took
their advice on board.

6. Sinister (2012)
Blind Premonitions
These two shot seen in Sinister and our film ‘Blind Premonitions’ challenge
each other. This scene is shown in the first shot of the film sinister, whereas in
our film in the first shot we see a girl walking down stairs in a train station,
this presents normality and something the audience can relate to. Therefore I
felt it was important to get the audience engaged within the first shot as it
would keep them in anticipation throughout.

7. Costume and appearance of mystery girl.
A convention we decided not to challenge was the use of costume on the
‘mystery girl’, through research and looking at other thriller film I found that
the victim figure is usually dressed in a white dress. This may be for different
reasons due to its representation of innocence and purity therefore emphasising
the characters vulnerability. The films I looked at was ‘sinister’, ‘the woman in
black’, ‘The pact’, ‘The Ring’ and ‘The grudge’.
Sinister (2012) The Ring (2002) Blind Premonitions

8. The Grudge (2004)
Gender roles are apparent in both
films. The main female characters
are both seen and represented as
vulnerable, innocent and in an
unstable mental state. This engages
the audience as they are able to
sympathize with a character in a
state of distress. It also brings a sense
of uncertainty as the audience do
not know the identities of these
characters. Both characters hair
covers their face there they are
anonymous which builds up the
suspense as the audience are left
questioning whether they are being
portrayed as the protagonists or
antagonist.
Blind Premonitions.

9. Setting.
-Through looking at several thriller films, I established that the
setting is usually an isolated, derelict and suppressed area and
usually somewhere dark, therefore we felt that the most suitable
place to film at was Sutton park as it reflected these conventions
therefore contributed to the mysterious feel. Through my research I
found that films such as the Texas Chainsaw Massacre and Cabin
in the Woods depicted these conventions.
-Another setting which was included within ‘Blind Premonitions’
was a setting of a train station. A lot of people nowadays use a
train to get to various places where it be for work reasons or just
general travel therefore this aspect of transport was a technique
used to engage the audience. I found through research that a lot
of thriller films contain the aspect of transport which the audience
are familiar with therefore we felt this convention was a required
one in term of getting the audience involved within our film.

10. Texas Chainsaw Massacre (2003)
These two setting are similar due to
the sense of isolation which abrupts
from looking at them. In both scenes
the victim figure is seen running away
from someone or something, this
suggests a sense of struggle and
suppression as they have to run past
many obstacles which in this case are
the trees. In both settings dark key
lighting is used to emphasize the
secluded area and enable the
audience to sympathize with these
vulnerable figures which are
depicted. Also in both images the
foreground is in focus whereas the
background is blurred this signifies
the trees as being the obstacles
between life or death.
Blind Premonitions.

11. Taxi Driver (1976)
All three of these films incorporate the
element of transport. The technique used is to
engage the audience as it is something they
are familiar with therefore there is a sense of
uncertainty as they will question whether
these aspects of thriller and supernatural can
be present within a setting that is relevant to
them. These settings also present a sense of
normality which contrasts with the themes of
the thriller genre, therefore it builds suspense
and tension as to the bad things to come.
Strangers on a Train (1951)
Blind Premonitions