This document summarizes how the media product adheres to or challenges conventions of real thriller genres. It discusses conventions like low-key lighting, quick cuts, and tense music that were included. Conventions that were challenged include not using black-and-white shots or heavy shadows. Feminist theories are also applied, such as how the female protagonist challenges being viewed as an object through her actions. Overall, the document analyzes genre conventions and how the media product fits within or diverges from typical thriller conventions.

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

2. What were our conventions to start
with?
For our genre of thriller these were the conventions that we either wanted to adhere
to, or challenge:
• Low key lighting
• Quick cuts
• Characters are often criminals, innocent victims etc.
• Shadows
• Tension music
• Changes in the angle of shots
• Diegetic sound of breathing
• Black and white shots
• Montage of shots
• Protagonist is in the mercy of the Antagonist

3. Genre conventions – Where did we meet or challenge them?
Where we met them…
• Generally our locations fitted in with our genre we wanted. After doing research
into the conventions of a thriller we found that one of the most significant ones
was the use of low key lighting, for multiple reasons this is a very useful convention
as it can create suspense, foreshadows mystery or guilt surrounding particular
characters if used effectively. From this we saw that our location choice of the
woods which created a dramatic feel for the scene, this allowed us to live up to
the conventions of a thriller., as the location of the woods allowed us to use low
key lighting. This is useful because the aim of a thriller is to create suspense and
excitement for the audience, the woods and the mystery surrounding them, also
the fact it is mirroring the fact there are questions surrounding our character,
because the woods were dark and hard to see clearly it represented this mystery.
Low key lighting is something we expect to see in a thriller for reasons as such
presented above, so including this as a genre convention helped us majorly in
portraying our genre choice of a thriller. Even the woods them selves were genre
conventional as they reflect the audiences confusion of who is responsible for
what; the trees represent the characters as at certain points they all look the same
and don’t seem any different, until they are revealed more individually we see who
is really responsible.

4. …
• Thrillers often reveal the workings of particular institutions such as the police ,
which typically were featured in our sequence to act as the audience trying to solve
a puzzle. Including the detectives we did in our production was important as these
characters are used to create the whole genre of a thriller as detectives are usually
there due to drama/crime which is the subject of thriller. This ties in with our
decision of having an older restriction on the age of our viewing for our production
of a 15; due to the genre of out film , it is aimed at the more intellectual audience
that take pleasure in solving and working out intellectual puzzles that they maybe
cant access in there everyday life maybe sue to the job they have etc. these people
tend to be of an older age, which is why our choice of including detectives is useful
as it is more relevant to there age type as its realistic . (include theory)
• The explanation to the puzzle is typically rational rather than supernatural, this
relate to our sequence in that it could be relatable as it is between two friends,
with a rational issue.

5. …
• We use ambient sound for the wood scene to add to the suspense created by the
sequence. Music affects the perception of on-screen action, and can alter the
apparent pace of the action. Fast-paced music can add momentum to fast-paced
action, we refer to this in the running scene to connote the feeling of our actor
Clara being rushed.
• Majority of our actors have an experience of acting and take it up passionately as a
hobby also, this is conventional as our genre is produced for a mass audience
where we would typically see distributed by a large distribution company and
therefore we would typically see them being able to afford more experienced
actors. I think this was necessary for our genre as its dramatic effects and
importance of creating suspense, the ability of the actors to be able to show deep
expressions and show characteristics of nervousness etc. is far more effective if
they are more experienced in doing this, as we want the acting to be as natural as
possible for the best possible audience effect.

6. • Multiple angles of shots we used in this sequence, from different heights, sides etc.
e.g. the view from the floor when Clara falls in the woods. We used a range of shots
including MCU, CU, LS etc. This definitely helped portray the feeling of a thriller as
it is showing the audience the characters from arguably a different perspective,
which fits in with the audience trying to solve the puzzle as to what each character
is responsible for, rather than just a standard shot for each scene.
• Diegetic sound of the radio in the back ground is useful and makes the sequence
more interesting, it also allows the audience to understand early on what is
happening, it also shows and suggests the typical conventions we would
understand if there was a drama as police are involved. We used sound (scores)
that would help us conventionally in creating tension and mystery etc. One
example of this is in the woods when Clara was running we added in rushed
breathing noises to show her distress even more intensely for the audience. We
helped the effect of this become even greater by challenging this convention in the
room when we used rather calming sounds to emphasise even more the drama
created.
…

7. Where we challenge them…
• We tried to challenge the convention of having a none British / American main
actor (Clara), however when we reviewed this in the draft production we decided it
didn’t work due to the lack of correct pronunciation. Therefore we came to the
conclusion that to improve our production we would use a British voice from
another actor and use it to voice over on Clara.
• Due to quick cuts, admittedly we didn’t make full use of this convention, this is
because we may not have paid as much attention in the story board to the length
of cuts as we were more concentrated on the type/angle of shot. If we were to re-
make this production I would definitely make a conscious effort to use quicker cuts
and shorter length of shots to fit in with the quick ambient sound and suspense of
the sequence.
• We didn’t make effort with effects such as shadows necessarily, the light from the
camera creates natural shadow, however we didn’t purposefully try to exaggerate
this. Doing the production again, exaggerated shadows would add a bigger impact
from the character to the audience, it creates them to be bolder etc. and we could
of also use the shadows more intensely over particular characters to connote
things such as guilt or lies.

8. …
• We also don’t use any black and white shots, however we wouldn’t of
included this anyway as we created mystery around the characters in
other ways such as ambient sound. Using black and white shots also
wouldn’t appeal to our young target audience as this type of colouring is
typically associated with older films, which may not seem as appealing.
• Even though we use diegetic sound of the radio we could use it even more
in terms of breathing of the character, this would help represent the fear
of the protagonist.

9. Form institutions we established…
• Flash back – A scene that the narrative lack in time usually to a key event for a
couple of minutes of the whole movie We are going to flash forward so we
are tracking it in a way. Actually within our opening sequence we used a flash
forward at the very start, this was to stick with the conventions we established.
It’s a useful tool to keep the audience guessing and intrigued as well; because our
audience is aimed at teenagers + this is a genre that appeals to a mass market.
Our target audience Is so wide because all people from this age can receive and
seek the same pleasures that the film offers, that they may not be able to access
in their everyday lives.
• Planning of landscape/establishing shot – This is used to set the scene and inform
the audience where the film is taking place We will most likely follow this, but
if we don’t its to leave the audience guessing. Our opening shot is of the two
inspectors with torchers searching, even though this isn't a blank shot of the
location, it allows the audience to recognise the location otherwise. Due to
lighting as well it was very difficult to have a shot just showing the forest. Even
though our shot is still effective, if we were to set the scene again I would aim to
use lighting more effectively to fit to the form conventions and establish the
location with an opening shot.

10. …
• Chase scene – Similar to the action scene, also catches the audiences attention. It
involves them as they will want to see what happens after the chase We will
have this when we show the girl running in/out the woods. We do include a scene
of Clara running, almost from the perspective of the person/something she’s
running from. This is useful in our genre sequence as it shows things from different
perspectives, which is useful for the audience when trying to work out peoples
roles as protagonists etc. in the film.
• Production Logo’s – At the start of most films they will always show the production
logos. If the film has a high budget the logo will be adapted to reflect the genre and
story line of the film We will follow this. We followed this by adding the title in
midway through our opening sequence, this is effective as it gives the audience a
feel for the film, and then follows up with the effect as it signifies the flash forward,
this helps to establish the narrative, whilst also being conventional.

11. …
• Narrations – Easy and effective way of getting the audience involved straight away.
Technique used to give background information on what has been happening or
who the characters are, giving the audience an insight to the rest of the film make
sense Our opening sequence will not have this, to leave mystery and enigma.
We stuck to our word of not including this. If we were to include this it would ruin
the intellectual connection our audience has with the film to work the puzzle out
for themselves, having narrations and potentially leaking too much information
could give things away and leave the audience un-interested, due to the fact they
aren't required to pay particular attention to detail.
• Action scene – A fast paced opening to a film attracts the audience straight away
and will make them want to carry on watching. As well it automatically shows the
genre of the film if included in the opening We will not have this but part of our
opening sequence will be fast paced. I feel that even though we said we would
include it in our opening sequence, we may didn’t fulfil it to the greatest extent.
Personally I feel this is a big part in creating the fats pace thriller feel for our genre,
and if we were to make the production again I would consider doing something
such as having 10+ shots that last a total of around 3 seconds, along with a non-
diegetic, sound motif in the background that fits with the fast pace shots. This may
appear before shot 17 (where we see Clara turn before the title appears). I think
this would be a useful contrasting effect.

12. …
• Title Sequence - All films have title scenes too, these show the cast and production
team for this film. The titles can be a way of building up suspense and can show the
genre of the film We will follow this. We followed this as it is conventional for
the majority of genres and films.
• Animation – To portray the beginning of the film in a creative way and visually
show difference between the film itself and the opening sequence We will
break this since it has nothing to do with our plot and genre. We contradicted this
convention as we didn’t feel it would be appropriate for the style and feel for the
film we were aiming for.

13. Theories applied to our production –
Auteur and Feminist Model
• Auteur – You could say in many ways that the sequence expresses us as
directors. For example, we have shown our lack of sticking with stereotypes which
shows our belief in feminism as we have Charlotte Bennett play a typically
masculine role. We also used a numerous amount of close ups to raise the intensity
of the between the audiences connection with the film, this offers them the
emotional conventions of a thriller. We showed low and level shots of the females
within the film, this is contrasting with Laura Mulvey’s male gaze that the camera
acts from a male point of view, if we were to abide to this we would potentially of
used higher shots to connote the empowered active male.

14. Feminist Model
Laura Mulvey's – Laura's theory is that no matter if were male or female we will
always look at women within the media as an object, the camera acts as a male view.
In this situation the female would be passive because she is being looked at. This is
represented in our sequence in some ways, because Clara is being pursued in the
sequence you could suggest that she is just an object for the male/camera perspective.
We could also suggest that Clara fights this in our film as she is running away from the
camera, suggesting she still has a choice and power to take herself out of the male
gaze.
Janice Winship's – Winship’s theory is that women put themselves in the male gaze,
this is suggestive that women have choice over whether they are in the male gaze or
not, contrasting to Mulvey’s view and also has a different approach to that women
have more power over themselves than is made out. We could see this in our film as
Clara is putting make-up on in the mirror, this could be suggestive that she is making a
conscious effort to be viewed in a particularly attractive way, maybe for the male gaze.

15. …
• David Guantlett – David Guantlett believes that women are in control of their own
sexuality and choose to put themselves in that position because they want to. This
is similar to Winship's theory in suggesting women have the choice over whether
or not they apply themselves to the male gaze. This also is suggestive that women
are doing this for themselves and not for the specific attention of males, but to do
it for their own e.g. confidence/feel good factor. We could suggest Clara putting
make-up on is for her own gains and not to be viewed in the male gaze.
• Judith Butler – Butler says that no gender is born with masculine or femininity
with in them, we just perform aspects of different genders, butler also uses the
specific example of putting make- up on. This could be true because together we
have slowly evolved and along the way drawn out stereotypical characteristics etc.
of what men and women should wear, act like etc. This could apply in our
sequence when our female detective goes against typical gender roles and is
wearing a blazer etc. which we would stereotypically associate with the middle
class male. I believe this is useful in our film for our mass market as it is becoming
increasingly popular for the view of men and women are equal and there is
nothing to say e.g. men cant wear make-up or wear dresses, people should be
able to do what they please, and this sequence shows glimpses of those upcoming
views.

16. …
• Roland Barthes – This is known as the strip tease theory because it believes that
the meaning of the clothes sexualises the woman. This could be shown in the
performance where Clara is wearing a more revealing top, this could be viewed as
the clothes sexualising her, this could contrast with Caitlin wearing a more covered
up attire, however some people still may feel tight jeans that multiple actors are
wearing reveals figures of the body and could be viewed as a sexy trouser. All in all
this could come down to personal opinion and what they find as individuals
sexualising.