The document outlines the tasks and requirements for a media studies portfolio on the thriller genre. Students are expected to research conventions of the thriller genre by analyzing posters, title sequences, and scenes. They must also conduct primary and secondary research on audiences for thriller films. The final production will be evaluated based on a director's audio commentary exploring genre, representation, institutions, audience, technology, and progression.

1. G321 FOUNDATION
PORTFOLIO
REEPHAM COLLEGE MEDIA STUDIES: SEPTEMBER 2012 - DECEMBER 2012
Research into
the Thriller
Genre
We will research the
conventions of the
thriller genre and how
they have been
conformed to, developed
and challenged.
We will also conduct
primary and secondary
Evaluation
research into the
The final production will • Genre
audiences for thriller be evaluated by
films in order to • Representation
recording an audio
understand the appeal commentary which • Institutions
of thrillers and taylor explores various
aspects of the • Audience
the film to our target
production, including: • Technology
audience.
• Progression
MARKS = 20 (INCLUDING PRE-
PRODUCTION MATERIALS)
continued on page 2
RESEARCH INTO GENRE AUDIENCE CONSUMPTION EVALUATION
Research into conventions of the thriller Conduct primary and secondary research Create a director’s audio commentary which
genre including posters, scenes and title into your target market. evaluates your thriller production.
sequences.

2. Research into Aspects of the
Thriller Genre
Students are expected to begin entering this research into their individual blogs
from September 2012 and tutors will monitor this.
Task 1: Thriller posters w/c 17th September
Task 2: Thriller title sequences w/c 24th September
Task 3: Thriller scene analysis w/c 1st October
Task 1: Thriller Posters
You must analyse a minimum of three film posters by answering the question:
“How conventional of the thriller genre is the poster?”
Comment upon how conventional the poster is by explaining to what degree the poster
conforms to, develops and challenges thriller
genre conventions.
To help you analyse the posters, you may wish to
consider and comment upon the following:
• Representation
• Composition
• Colour
• Font
• Settings
• Locations
• Themes / potential narratives
Use the list of thriller genre conventions to guide
your explanation.
If possible, make links between two ideas to
expand your answer. For example, in the ‘Leon’
poster above, the building is reflected in his
glasses. You could therefore make a link between the building and the representation
of the character, a possible plot, theme or enigma.
Keywords (media language):
Semiology Representation mise-en-scene camera angle / shot
engima balance contrast voyeurism

3. Research into Aspects of Deadline
2012
Se ptember,
w/c 24th
the Thriller Genre
Task 2: Thriller Title Sequences
All students will analyse three different thriller title sequences.
The difference between the title sequences and posters is the introduction of moving
image rather than static. So, be prepared to comment upon how the scenes have been
edited and pay particular attention to the usage of fonts as they are a key component
of a title sequence. The second difference is the usage of sound, which must also be
commented upon.
Answer the question:
“How conventional is the title sequence?”
Comment upon how conventional the title sequence is by explaining to what degree
the sequence conforms to, develops and challenges thriller genre conventions.
You may wish to comment upon
these factors in addition to the
ones outlined in the poster
section:
• Camera angles and movement
• Lighting
• Sound (diegetic and non-
diegetic)
• Soundtrack
• Special effects / CGI
• Representation
• Costume
• Make-up
• Props
• Intertextual references
• How the title sequence establishes the narrative, genre and/or engima to follow.
http://www.artofthetitle.com/
Keywords (media language):
non-diegetic sound diegetic sound mise-en-scene
semiology editing camera movement pan
tilt fade match cut smash cut pull focus
Find more at:
http://www.movieoutline.com/articles/a-glossary-of-screenwriting-terms-and-
filmmaking-definitions.html

4. Research into Aspects of Deadline
12
ctober 20
the Thriller Genre w/c 1st O
Task 3: Thriller Scenes
Advice: To achieve higher marks students are advised to engage with critical
reviews of films referenced in their analysis of thriller scenes.
Research must engage with five key concepts: do not regurgitate the plot.
Firstly, include the following institutional information :
i) Institutions: Name of thriller
film, director, production
company, release date to include
country where it was made, box
office returns.
ii) Audience: Brief notes on
intended target audience with
information from IMDB re
audience reception. Quote user
ratings, and appropriate user
comments .
iii) Then, answer thee questions from this bank of questions:
“How are women represented in the scene? Consider stereotypical representations of
the thriller genre such as the femme fatale and the victim.”
“How is the antagonist and/or protagonist represented in the scene?”
“How conventional is the costume of the protagonist and antagonist in the scene?”
“How has the director used claustrophobic spaces to create a sense of menace?”
“How does the location and use of light and dark depict the emotional landscape of a
character?”
“How is editing used to drive the narrative in the scene?”
“How is sound used to create suspense and other effects in the scene?”
You may also create a question of your own after consultation with a tutor.
You must choose a different thriller for each question.

5. “Your job is to get
your audience to care AUDIENCE RESEARCH
about your
Conduct primary research by
obsessions.” developing a questionnaire and
polling a large group of people from
Martin Scorsese various ages and backgrounds.
•••
Secondary Research
Visit the British Film Industry’s
(BFI) website and download the
Industry Statistical Yearbook to
discover the popularity of
thrillers in the British
Investigate research from the BFI
marketplace. and Cinema Exhibitors’ Association
to discover audience profiles and
Upload your findings to the blog trends.
and answer the question:
“How can I make my thriller appealing to my audience?”
http://www.bfi.org.uk/education-research/film-industry-statistics-research/statistical-
yearbook
Supplement your answer by looking at reviews made by film critics on
RottenTomatoes.com and see if you can comment upon their likes and dislikes
Primary Research
Conduct primary research by developing a questionnaire and by briefing a potential
audience about your thriller. Review your results and answer the same question
above: “How can I make my thriller appealing to my audience?”
TAG: G321 THRILLER AUDIENCE RESEARCH
Rotten Tomatoes
%
Taken
58%
Shutter Island
69%
Leon
79%
Alien
“It's fun for about 15 minutes “With some suspension of disbelief
97%
seeing Neeson do James Bond and a strong stomach, it's possible to Total Recall (2012)
as Daddy Dangerous. But the get taken in, or at least absorbed, by
29%
surprise wears off quickly.” this adrenaline-pumping action The Dark Knight
thriller.” Claudia Puig, USA Today
94%
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

6. ADVICE Evaluation
Answer ALL the questions
Be prepared by watching
your thriller numerous
times so that you can fit
your commentary into the
thriller
Be prepared to pause your
film as you talk so that you
have time to explain your
idea fully.You should not
quickly finish a point
The evaluation should be presented as a director’s commentary: an
because a new scene has
audio recording of you and others answering the following questions
started.
whilst the film plays.
Use scenes as ‘spring In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge
boards’ which will allow forms and conventions of real media products? (This question asks
you to start a conversation how your research into specific thriller texts has informed your
about one of the production. Think about costume, location, soundtrack, camera
questions. angles, character types, narrative structure, lighting, soundtrack,
plot, title. You can’t discuss all these but identify the most profound
Be very detailed with your influence.)
answer
How does your media product represent particular social groups?
Have conversations with (This question asks how you have represented for example: Women?
potential audience The villain? Race? Social Class? The hero? The femme fatale?
members to discuss their Region? The victim (here gender is important).
preferences and if your
thriller is appealing What kind of media institution might distribute your media
product and why? (It is best that students identify new media
Have a dialogue with other outlets to exhibit their opening to a thriller film. For example websites
members of the cast to such as You-tube, social network sites, MP3 players, games consoles.
expand your answer, If the film is innovative or challenging (students need to identify
including actors and other these features in their thriller opening) then funding could be
members of your possible from Working Title Films or Warp films so that the film could
production. be developed as a feature film. Thus the following cinema outlets
could be possible. For example a multiplex (if main stream thriller),
art house if complex/subversive thriller. T.V. outlets are possible
(scheduled time and channel must be appropriate),
straight to internet and why? Straight onto DVD is
Deadline another possibility). Students must explain the reasons
for their choice of institution/s.)
20th December, 2012

7. Evaluation Continued
Who would be the audience for your media product?
(Students need to reference audience research and justify
in detail why a particular demographic would find the
production appealing. What real thriller films or TV
crime dramas would this audience watch?).
How did you attract/address your audience? (Student
productions are viewed by other students who complete
questionnaires regarding the technical quality and appeal
of the productions. You may quote from the results of this
research; you may discuss elements of the mise-en-scene
(technical, character, location, action, diegetic and non diegetic sound) that you consider
appealing and should hook audiences who would want to watch the rest of the story. For
example: Did you address your audience through a 1st person voice over thus encouraging
audiences to identify with this character? )
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
(Explain what you’ve learned about digital cameras, camera angles, movement and shot
types. Explain what you’ve learned about editing, particularly importance of sequencing
shots (narrative structure) and using effects if you have utilised this feature; adding sound
and titles.)
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the
progression from it to the full product? (Think about how the performing, shooting and
editing of your preliminary task lead to your ability to plan, shoot and edit your film
production. Explain what you’ve learned about working constructively in a group with regard
to planning, the shoot, identifying an appropriate sound track and title, and the edit. Explain
your individual contributions/ideas and responsibilities. Explain how you’ve coped with
audience feedback ,is it better or worse than expected; has it offended you; have the audience
understood your intentions and been able to read your film? What are the strengths and
weaknesses of your production? Explain what the most important thing you’ve learned about
film making that you didn’t know before?)
REEPHAM COLLEGE
MEDIA STUDIES DEPT.
G321 Research Into Aspects of Thrillers
2012-2013
Contact details:
jwebb@reephamhigh.com
sstiles@reephamhigh.com
http://reephamcollegemedia.blogspot.co.uk