media

1. MEDIA STUDIES: THRILLER OPENING EVALUATION
Question Seven: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel
you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

2. When researching the thriller genre in order to produce my own opening, I needed to develop my understanding of
conventions and archetypes in relation to a target audience. To do this I studied many thrillers and evaluated how
and why they used specific thriller conventions in order to introduce the genre. Conventions such as, isolated spaces
which is related to the case study of Essex Boys and chiaroscuro lighting from Once Upon a Time in America. I
developed and interpreted these conventions into my thriller in order, as they did, to introduce the thriller genre.
The skills used in my preliminary task were also useful in producing my thriller. The use of the 180 degree rule and
watch on action which was introduced and used in my preliminary task, also found use in my thriller. The shot of the
door closing and the enigma in the doorway was developed from ideas suggested when decided on our match on
action in our preliminary task. Unlike the preliminary task, however developed from the skills used while editing
then, the use of titles and credits are an example of my development of skills learnt and the improvement in order
to have more flexibility in what I could do with my thriller. During my preliminary task I also used range of wide
angles and close ups which enabled me to fully understand the correct angles to use in a particular shot depending
on what worked well in my preliminary task.
While shooting my thriller I experimented with a number of lighting situations in order to create the classic
chiaroscuro lighting. This required trial and error in order to find the perfect angle of lighting to create the look, a
skill in which I developed for my final production.
I have also learnt the skills needed to preform to a brief through the extensive research into the thriller genre as this
is what the brief dictated. I was able to identify specific aspects of a thriller I needed to include, known as the
conventions.
My understanding of the thriller genre was only further improved by evaluating the feedback of my audience
through the questionnaire, enabling me to understand the need and desires of my target audience and how this is
met in my thriller.