The summary provides information about the media product "Rotten" in 3 sentences: The film opening for "Rotten" reinforces stereotypes of characters in psychological thrillers through the main character Lucy's emotions. It also develops conventions through synchronizing non-diegetic music with setting movements. The film challenges forms and conventions through its ironic use of loud music and title introduction to remind viewers of the genre in an abstract way.

1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products? (i.e. of film openings) QUESTION 1
• Rotten reinforces the stereotypical aspects of characters who are victims in a psychological
thriller. Lucy Mayard shows strong emotions of anger, sadness and confusion. These correspond
with other characters from different films belonging to the same genre. I have also incorporated
slow humming which builds tension, sets a dystopian theme, all these are also found in other film
openings, this also adds to the genres conventions. I also developed the conventions of the
psychological genre by synchronising the music and the setting movements (The humming ends
as the door opens) this merges the non diegetic music and the props to create the illusion that
the music has influence over the setting and people. I challenge the forms and conventions of
psychological thrillers by ironically using old fashion ways of introducing the title with baring
music and stereotypically loud music, this reminds the audience what genre it is. We also used
mirror shots of Lucy in distraught to create the sense of disconnect and add a abstract
perspective to the film. The costume and make up of Lucy Mayard developed the psychological
thriller theme as she had smeared mascara and sloppy lipstick to highlight her sadness and
mourning.
•

2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?
QUESTION 2
• Rotten protagonist Lucy mayard is a young mother around the age of 20, we represent her as
deeply attached to her child and consequently becomes maddened by her daughters demise. This
represents mothers (regardless of age) as having a deep rooting love for their children. I chose the
young age of 20 because young adults are seen as reckless and incapable of attachment due to
their impulsive tendencies and I wanted to juxtapose the two contrasting personality traits of
mothers and young adults. The alcohol bottles scattered across the floor present young mothers
as dealing with large amounts of stress and presents them as willing to drown their problems in
intoxication which expresses their repressive personas. The camera shows a young girl dressed in
a ballerina costume at the age of 4, this reinforces assigned gender roles in society and implies
that Lucy subjected her daughter to canalisation.

3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and
why? QUESTION 3
• Warner Bros. Entertainment would be the ideal distribution company for Rotten because Rotten
belongs to the borderline horror genre and Warner Bros. Entertainment is known for distributing
that type of movie e.g. The Exorcist, The Dark Knight and Harry Potter. All these films hold some
dark themes to them, just like Rotten.

4. What would be the audience for your media product? QUESTION 4
• The target audience for Rotten would be from 15-30, because horror films in general aim at that
demographic as that target audience has more time on their hands due to school and university
so they have time to watch horror films and psychological thrillers with friends (which most do).
Rotten uses a younger actress to aim the film at a younger demographic. The mood board below
will show the other programs, products and films they would like:

5. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?