1. The document discusses conventions used in the media product's thriller opening sequence, including tense music, shadowed lighting, disorientation, and nonlinear editing to build tension. 2. It describes how the media product uses deliberate pastiche from films like Halloween, Reservoir Dogs, and The Following, borrowing elements like point-of-view camerawork, having a victim tied to a chair, and using a mask. 3. Realism is maintained through props, mise-en-scene like the antagonist wearing a mask, and techniques in camerawork, editing, sound design, and acting.

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

2. Conventions of the thriller
Our thriller opening sequence mainly reflects the conventions of the thriller film. This includes
tense music, shadowed lighting, disorientation and different paces in the editing. As our
project is mainly based on a psychological thriller, we used conventions such someone
preying on someone else. This kind of mind game adds a lot of tension to the audience.

3. Pastiche
Deliberate pastiche was used in our thriller film. Firstly, we used the idea of a ‘Point-of-View’
from the movie Halloween (1978). The opening sequence of this film is of a kid who
approached his sister’s house and then stabbed her. POV was used for the entire opening
sequence; this is very effective and can add a lot of tension. This is why we wanted to use
some POV in our thriller opening sequence. ‘Reservoir Dogs (1992)’ was also used for
pastiche. In class, we were shown a scene where a man was tied to a chair. As a group, we
liked this idea because it makes it clear who is in control and who isn’t. In our thriller opening
sequence, the daughter is tied to a chair while the abductor walks around her. This adds a lot
of tension. A series called ‘The Following’ gave us the idea to use a mask. This use of a mask
can add a lot of tension.

4. Realism: Mise-en-scene
The Mise-en-scene helped keep a sense of realism. Props such as knives and sharp garden
tools are accessible to the general public very easily. This makes it realistic. The antagonist
(hostile character) was wearing a must. This could suggest that the abductor does not want
his identity to be revealed. This will also make the audience more anxious as they would want
to know who was under the mask. The victim would also be more scared as the mask is
intimidating.

5. Realism: Camerawork and editing
Many techniques used in the camerawork and editing ensured realism remained consistent.
This includes the use of sound effects and different camera shots. For example, a branch
snapping sound effect was used. This was a cue for the victim to look behind her in shock. A
visual effect was also used. This is when a shot was used to show the victim waking up in the
interrogation room. The effect used was ghosting and blur. These two effects combined,
creates a distortion effect which represents weakness and vulnerability, thus adding tension
to the thriller.

6. Realism: Acting
The acting also played a very big role when creating a good sense of realism. Maxine, the
actor was chosen because of her innocent looks as a teenage girl. Her different facial
expressions throughout the opening sequence also added a sense of realism.