This document summarizes the conventions used and challenged in a media thriller product. It identifies several common thriller conventions used, such as fast editing, red herrings, cliffhangers, building suspense, and a male antagonist. One convention challenged is the use of a female protagonist instead of the typical male hero. The document also applies Barthes' theory of the enigma code to analyze the unanswered question of why a character was killed, though it notes the opening does not follow Todorov's typical 5 stages of narrative.

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

2. Types of thriller convention
• Male protagonist/antagonist
• Fast Editing
• McGuffin
• Red Herring
• Cliff Hanger
• Enigma
• Building Suspense

3. Conventions of the thriller genre
I have used
• Fast paced editing – scene where my
character kills Michael's character
• Red herring – Michael’s ‘death’
• Cliffhanger – Michael seen alive
• Enigma – Why was Michael killed
• Build suspense – eerie music at the start
• Male Antagonist

4. Conventions of the thriller that I
have challenged/developed
• Female protagonist – Barbara is the main
lead whilst I am the antagonist. This
challenges/develops the thriller convention
of masculine heroes/protagonists.

5. Can I apply any key media
theories?
Having looked at my thriller opening I can apply
the theory of Barthes enigma code. The enigma
in my thriller opening is why was Michael's
character killed. However a theory that my
thriller opening doesn't include is Todorov's 5
stages. The opening of my thriller does not
begin in a state of equilibrium, as the audience
is thrown straight into the scene where my
character is being questioned. Taking this into
consideration I believe my thriller opening is not
a generic piece.