The student's media product challenges some conventions while developing others. It sets out to tell a story of teenage romance focused on 3 main characters in a "Romantic Thriller" genre. Though it does not strictly follow typical narrative structures, it incorporates elements like a protagonist, antagonist, and resolution. The short film is aimed at a 12A audience with no graphic content. It uses conventions like mise-en-scene and editing techniques to help tell the story.

1. EVALUATION QUESTION 1:
"In what ways does your media product use, develop, or
challenge forms and conventions of real media
products?”
The Cheat
Lily Hawkins

2. THE CHEAT

As a group we decided to set our short film revolving around the love life of
teenagers. Our short film ‘The Cheat’ is based on the relationship between
characters Poppy and Karl.

Our short film ‘The Cheat’ is based on a love triangle between a group of
teens. As a group we have realised the necessity of using typical codes and
conventions of a real product. These include a script, actors, soundtrack, and
a storyline to name a few. Our script has been written to comply to a typical
script in the film industry with the effect. Our short film takes place in the
‘Romantic Thriller’ category. I feel that it is the most suitable category for our
film. Our film fits the romance category through the romance element of a
love triangle and mystery as well as coming across and overcoming
obstacles. Poppy remaining to be the current paranoid girlfriend of Karl with
every suspicion as to where his loyalties lie. We decided to limit our short film
to having three characters in it, Poppy, Karl and Kath. I made this decision
due to the fact I believed it would be more convincing and realistic to focus on
specific characters and elements linking to their life. This allowed for a deeper
understanding of characters to be interpreted and greater knowledge for our
audience. As well as a specific and focused storyline.

3. THE PLANNING

I felt that it was important when preparing our ideas for
the short film to consider what type of narrative we felt to
be most appropriate. Although our short film does not
conform to a specific narrative type, however it does
display an obstacle in order to be overcome as well as a
sense of conflict and resolution which can be questioned
as the film comes to a close.
The idea for our film originated due to the fact that we
felt as teenagers, it was a topic we found portray and
reflect through the film with relationships. Although not
maintaining self experience, we attempted to indulge the
situation in order to form both a communication and
connection with our audience.

4. CHARACTERS

It is a typical convention of a short film for there to be minimum characters for example 23 main characters whereby the story is focused.

This can allow a deeper understanding for character analysis and allow our audience to
relate and emphasise with characters.

I feel that fewer characters is more beneficial in order to allow our audience to follow a
clear narrative, without become confused by brief characters.

Characterisation

Characterisation is an important feature of films. Without significant and relevant
storylines a story is impossible to follow an form any sense of a relation towards.

Characterisation is usually improved through features such as an antagonistic and
protagonist character which is visually present in our film.

Poppy follows the typical convention of a victim, through her mind set of cheating and at
the end of the film appears to be a positive figure.

The character of Karl, by the end of our film is proven to be unfaithful towards Poppy
which allows him to take the role of the antagonist figure.

As well as this ‘best friend’ Kath is also presented to be a negative figure.

5. NARRATIVE

The typical and norm narrative type known and used by many is Todorov’s
theory based on the idea of an equilibrium.

The equilibrium is presented to be a pleasant, normal, everyday situation
which is communicated through a storyline.

A disequilibrium is known as the disruption of narrative which links to
destructive behaviour and problems. This is present in our short film and
follows the typical conventions of a film due to the fact that our equilibrium is
destroyed as Poppy becomes insane.
This is portrayed through:

Poppy’s insanity and paranoia believing Karl to be unfaithful.

Messages (using a iPhone)

Script work

Imagery and scenes

6. JUXTAPOSITION WITHIN NARRATIVE

Looking at the different stages of Propp’s narrative it is evident that our
storyline does not specifically follow the typical conventions

Due to this it has become clear that our short film does not typically follow the
narrative conventions which are most common in successful Hollywood films.

Our short film carries traits of Propp’s narrative theory – such as the idea of
an antagonist and protagonist character.

Our film takes a twist with the character of Karl. Presented to be a hero at the
beginning of the film as Poppy appears incredibly insane. However, is turns
out that Karl is a false hero and instead a villain.

This has come from the idea of Propp presenting a false hero, and allowing
characters to be presented different to their true nature which is eventually
revealed.

7. ROMANTIC THRILLER HYBRID

It is a typical convention for a short film to follow a specific narrative type. In
our short film we felt this to be relevant through the Romantic Thriller Hybrid
Genre.

We have attempted to create a realistic and believable situation which links to
the genre, is easy to follow and relate to as well as conveying a deeper
understanding with characters.

Romantic Thriller Genre:
Our film fits the Romantic Thriller Genre due to the fact that there are elements
of both romance and thriller; similar to the Black Swan. A film of a variety of
feelings and emotions, hidden truths and secrets in order for the audience to
follow and engage with.

8. OUR TARGET AUDIENCE

We believe our film to be most suited for the 12A genre because:

There are no signs of violence (other than mental)

No swearing or bad language

No suggested profanities

People from the age of 12 may be able to understand and relate to
the film

9. FEATURES OF OUR FILM

Our Film Montage:
In our film we have decided to use a Montage. The Montage in attempt to
connect and demonstrate the fears and paranoia of Poppy’s mind as old
images appear on the screen, of girls and memories with the belief that Karl is
cheating on her.

Mise-en-scene:
The typical Mise-En-Scene conventions are portrayed through features such as
our school cantine which demonstrates the location of our film. Karl’s house
to create a sense of character appreciation.

Editing:
We have appreciated the importance of a continuity shot, to help establish a
clear storyline which is easy to follow and understand.