The document discusses various aspects of the film project "Seize" and how it adheres to or challenges conventions of the thriller genre. The title "Seize" follows thriller conventions by being a single, mysterious word. Locations were chosen to provide a sense of realism, including a table scene filmed in a shipping container and scenes on local heathland. Initially, the filmmakers planned for the kidnapper to look different from conventions, but ultimately decided to stick to expectations of the genre. Costumes and props were also chosen to be realistic and conventional. The film uses a variety of shots during production and a single frame during editing, conforming to natural conventions.

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

2. The title of our short film ‘Seize’ sticks firmly to the conventions of
the thriller genre. The title- with slight hints isn’t very self
explanatory as to what the film is about. This adds to the mystery of
what the thriller genre is all about. Deciding to follow the trend of
similar films, the single word title ‘Seize’ makes our film sound
professional and realistic.
The Title

3. There are several settings and locations for our film. The various
locations are all based around the same area. With the power of
cinematography, we managed to make the opening table scene look
as if it is inside a shipping container. The second location was filmed
on our local heathland. This adds a sense of ‘community feel’,
however it was an excellent choice as it was deserted just like several
stereotypical thriller filming locations.
Setting and Location

4. In our film, we originally planned to beat the typical conventions of a
stereotypical kidnapper. This meant that our kidnapper would look
completely different to how he was shown in our short film. We
decided as a group that this wouldn’t work with the thriller genre so
we decided to ‘go with the flow’. When it came to deciding upon
Claudia’s outfit; we chose to stick to middle class conventions and
therefore have her wearing casual clothing.
Costume and Props

5. Whilst in the production stage of our project, we used many different
artistic shots with the camera cinematography. We did this for two
reasons. The first being so we could showcase a range of different
shots which we had learnt. And secondly, we decided to get a few
abstract shots.
When it came to editing our film, we decided to go with the natural
convention and decided to show just one frame on the screen.
Cinematography and editing.

6. I decided that after we see Claudia with a gun held to her head that the screen should go black and we
begin right back at the start of her whole story. Slowly we work out who she is, what she's doing and
why she's doing what she is. The whole time I want my character to maintain her innocence.
We learn that Claudia has in fact just left school and was recruited by the top secret 'spy' agency headed
by the German Government. She runs a double life as a typical teenage girl but also as a professional and
secret spy. She is no stranger to violence or danger and this is portrayed through her strong abilities but
also her confidence. We see Claudia through several of her missions, one in which she ends up killing the
head of a mafia gang in New York. Progressing through the film, we see Claudia go through airport
security using a fake passport. It is here we wonder what is going on. She finally lands in the UK and as
time goes on, we realise that she has in fact been sent to assassinate the queen. After checking into her
hotel room, Claudia decides to take a walk in the local area. It is here the kidnapping happens. She is
then kidnapped, tied to a tree and is killed for planning to kill the queen.
Story and Set up

7. We have decided to stay safe with our genre for our film. The thriller
side of our film is portrayed by the masked kidnapper and the threats
of violence.
Genre and how the opening suggests
it.

8. Both our kidnapper and our victim are introduced at different times.
We see our kidnapper swiftly in our very first scene as he grabs his
jacket off of the table. We see him fully in person as he comes up
behind our victim and knocks her unconscious. With his face being
revealed fully in one of the final scenes.
Our second character is introduced as she is walking on the heath.
We see over her shoulder and then fully a few seconds later.
How characters are introduced

9. Our film opening doesn’t offer any special effects such as 3D as we
wanted to keep our project realistic and ‘clean’- making it less
troublesome to do.
Special Effects