The document discusses how the media product of a short film challenges conventions and genres of existing short films on domestic abuse. It analyzes three existing short films focused on domestic abuse between females and males. Unlike these, the author's film portrays a relationship where the male can be a victim of abuse from the female, challenging typical gender stereotypes. Other conventions challenged include using ambiguous storytelling, dramatic color shifts to set mood, and reordering the typical narrative structure. The film also develops conventions like blurred sound during arguments to create an unsettling atmosphere for viewers.

1. Evaluation Q1
IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR
CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA
PRODUCTS?

2. FILM
I carried out research of
existing products to help me
create a successful short film
and ancillary tasks.
I analysed 3 existing short
films which follow the same
genre of film I wanted to
create. I looked at the main
areas of analysis of the films;
camera shots, angels,
movement, locations and
sound.

3. FILM
The initial thing I looked at
with the existing short films
were the length.
Two of the films I looked at
were around 5 minutes long.
However, the third film lasted
around 15 minutes. This is
where I used an audience
questionnaire to find out what
length film my target audience
would prefer to watch. The
results showed they prefer a
film around the 5 minute
mark.
All three of the films I analysed follow the
issue of domestic abuse. This is one of
many issues that has been stereotyped as
the female being the vulnerable victim
being abused and controlled over.
I wanted to address this issue as I feel like
not many people take male victims
seriously enough due to the stereotype
shown in films and TV.
However, the more I planned and filmed
my story I found the genre of “unhealthy
relationship” more suiting than
“domestic abuse” but it still follows a
similar style.
I used actors of a similar age to my target
audience as they would be able to relate
more. I found when watching the existing
products I have analysed that I felt more
of a relation with the characters of similar
age.

4. FILM
Out of all the existing products I looked at, I took most inspiration from REVEAL’UTION. This is
based on a high school couple where the female is being abused by her controlling boyfriend. This
film focuses on not turning to suicide, like most cases do, instead tell somebody. I felt like this is a
very important message to everyone whether they are involved in the relationship or if you have
witnessed it.

5. FILM
I wanted to add a more dramatic
ending to my story as I felt this
would have more of an impact on
my target audience.
I liked the way in which the colour
was used to change the atmosphere
and enhance the emotion of the
female being abused.
I ‘normal’ happy scenes when she is
with her friends are in colour and
are lively. However, when she is
with her boyfriend, the colours are
drained to create a more sinister
and bleak atmosphere for the
audience.
DEVELOPING
I then took this further by editing sound like the existing products also did during arguments. I wanted
to follow this as it did add a haunting atmosphere as the sound was blurred with sinister background
music lightly placed in the background. This helps the audience feel more of what the characters are
feeling within the low and dark scenes.

6. FILM
I have challenge the typical narrative structure of films. I
have the introduction to my film being a part of the ending.
This creates mystery for the audience as they have not been
given any context to the film. This is followed by the
equilibrium, taking the audience to a normal day which
leaves them guessing.
I have followed the typical
conventions of film by the
introduction and ending. The
introduction introduces the
characters/actors, production
company, the title and other
information typically shown at
the start. The ending consists
of rolling credits which is a
convention of all films to give
out more information to the
audience about who was
involved in the making of the
film.

7. FILM
I have challenged the
role of females and
males within my short
film compared to the
existing products.
Within the existing
products the females are
portrayed as weak as the
male dominates over
them and controls them.
I wanted to show that
males can also be
vulnerable as females
could dominate.
I have done this by the
use of the script. The
female is seen asking
more questions, at first
this seems to be
vulnerable but then later
results in being paranoid
and untrusting.
The male is portrayed to
the audience to be
untrustworthy but is then
later made to feel
sympathetic toward him.