The document summarizes the development of an opening sequence for a fictional film combining fantasy and thriller genres. Key points: - The group researched fantasy, thriller, and other genres to develop an understanding of conventions. - They decided to combine fantasy (fairy tales) and thriller to create something unique. - The opening reimagines Snow White with a dark, mysterious tone using quick cuts, dim lighting, and an unsettling soundtrack. - Research of other films informed creative choices for the opening sequence.

1. Unit G321 – “The titles and opening
sequence of a new fictional film”
Tayla Powell, 6100.

2. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms
and conventions of real media products?
• First of all, as a group we began to look through the various types of genres and sub-genres and
finally came to a final decision of our chosen genre ‘Fantasy/thriller’.
• Doing this, allowed us to develop our knowledge and understanding of the conventions brought
forward in this specific genre. We conducted research which I focused on the ‘Horror’ and
‘Action’, Chloe examined ‘Thriller’ and ‘Drama’ and Nicola overlooked ‘Romance’ and ‘Fantasy’.
Therefore, this enabled us to gather relevant information based on each genre that appealed to
us.
• We discovered that the genre ‘fantasy’ films are usually stories that are not realistic. Typical
fantasy films are considered to be fairytale-like which can include, dragons, fairies, ware wolfs,
witches, vampires etc. The sub-genres are: romance fantasy, modern fantasy and dark fantasy.
Typical fantasy films allow the ‘Levi Strauss’ theory which is also known as the 'binary
opposition.' This theory consists of opposition and binary pairs meaning one thing is always
more valued in contrast to another, enforcing stereotypes and dominant cultural ideas. The
typical codes and conventions of this genre are: going on a quest, but take the longest route
possible, using un-natural areas and objects.

3. •
• Whereas the genre ‘Thriller’ shows the purpose of thriller films is keeping their audience alert
and on the edge of their seats. This film genre can interact with many different sub-genres,
such as: action thrillers, crime thrillers, supernatural thrillers, science fiction thrillers,
conspiracy thrillers and political thrillers. The codes and conventions of thriller films are that
there is always high pitched music, dark lighting, and quick transitions, fast paced; often
change of camera angles, dark colours, exaggerated sounds like a heartbeat etc. They can
often involve domestic violence and psychological thrillers. This enabled us to identify that
thrillers are supposed to make the audience keep guessing the storyline.
• Our aim was to bring two dissimilar genres together which would definite us from other
products.
• We really admired how these two genres are so different, yet we want to channel our
experiences and create someone so unique and enigmatic to other products being created.

4. • We like how the codes and conventions in both genres are
dissimilar that will create a contrasting, ambiguous and
questionable meaning.
• We had chosen this type of genre because we liked the idea
of re-making our own fairy-tale with a thriller essence.
• This came to mind after Chloe analysed the film ‘Red Riding
Hood’ and I analysed the film ‘Alice in Wonderland’ and
found these 2 huge inspirations for conducting our film as we
loved the mystical, thrilling essences about them. We liked
the idea of putting a dark twist on a childhood story which
many people are familiar with.

5. • Other genres we looked at were: ‘Horror,’ and discover that films based around this are
uncomfortable, disconcerting movies that are attempting to draw the emotions of the
audience, creating unwanted fear and hatred.
• Discovered that ‘action’ films are usually using an imaginative character struggling against
action-packed situations with the ‘hero’ involving physical feats, careless fights and
distraught chases. Each action film is likely to include life-threatening situations using ‘the
propp theory.’ Although, most action films also include the ‘Todorov’ theory’ and the
‘gratification theory’ which is very common.
• Discovered that ‘drama’ that these are usually stories based on life situations which are
realistic and the audience can relate to. This includes characters in conflict with each other.
• Discovered that ‘romance’ films generally light hearted and has an aura that surrounds
falling and being in love. Typical romance films will follow the Todorov’s narrative theory,
which consists of equilibrium, a disruption, recognition of the disruption, an attempt to
repair the damage and a new equilibrium. Most or all romance films apply either the
hypodermic syringe model theory or the uses of gratification theory.

6. • After coming to a final decision of our chosen genre ‘Thriller/fantasy’.
• Alice in Wonderland:
- Dark and mystical
- Long journey to an unknown area
- Mise en scene is similar to what we wanted
• Legion:
- The darkness of the film is how we wanted ours to be portrayed
- Quick jump cuts at the beginning to tell a story/flashback was
similar to our opening.
• Snow White:
- Main inspiration
- Fairytale influence
• Seven:
- Quick movements
- used dark lighting and jagged music
• Chloe analysed: Red Riding Hood, Snow White and Harry Potter and Nicola analysed: Mr and Mrs Smith
and The Twilight Saga.

7. • I also looked into 4 different fantasy/thriller opening, focusing on the music.
• Seven:
- Our music came from this soundtrack inspiration
- Jagged
- Chilling , low pitched
• Psycho:
- very suspense
- Starts of calm and suddenly becomes from fierce
• The Twilight Saga:
- mysterious and daunting
- creates an alive atmosphere
• The Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl:
- A young girl singing which is creepy
- Very slow and enigmatic

8. • My aim was to get an understanding of both ‘thriller/fantasy’ music openings, then find a sound track
which incorporated both thriller/fantasy atmosphere and effect to the opening we are creating. Each
opening sequence I looked at were extremely helpful and enabled me to get an understanding of
what I need to add into the product I am creating to capture something the audience recognise.
• We had chosen to re-make ‘Disney’s a Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs’ but adding a thriller
essences to the opening. We came to this decision by researching into other quick storyline we could
base our opening around and in addition, this was the best. As Snow White was made in 1937, we
wanted to add a
modern/up-to-date feel onto the opening which can
relate to many individuals interests, using actor/s
instead of being animated and give it a new life by adding
an obscure twist. Therefore we have challenged the
conventions by using the character as the victim as well
as the villain.

9. • In the thriller genre there is a lot of use of quick jump cuts which is what we used because it
creates a disturbance, keeps the audience awake and guessing what happens next. We
decided to allow ours to last around 5 seconds, as it will allow the audience to also see what
Snow White is doing. However, analysing fantasy films I discovered that the camera is more
calm and engaging which we incorporated during the first 30 seconds.
• It was my job to find some music and sound effects for our opening sequence, so after
examining 4 different movie openings – focusing on the music. I discovered that during fantasy
openings the music is very mystical, imaginary and delusional. Whereas, thriller music
openings usually starts off quite becoming louder and more aggressive as the opening
sequence develops, which sounds misleading, uncomfortable and alarming.
• After doing some research, I found the soundtrack entitled ‘Dead Silence’ which is originally
from the famous 2007 film called ‘Dead Silence’. This music is played within the opening of the
2 minutes. I really like this music for our concept as it begins with a child-like sound which can
relate to our child-like storyline, however, the song has a twist to it which is similar to our
opening.

10. • Nicola and I made a ‘DO NOT EAT’ apple sign – right - from
cardboard and paint to easily portray that the apple is deadly
although, the audience don’t know why, a hand held mirror and
bought two packs of dark red apples which is the main concept
of the storyline and emphasizes a world of fantasy.
• We decided to edit the opening on ‘Final Cut Express’ and ‘Text
Live’ and our aim were to create a darkened, unwelcoming
opening. I tinted each scene to become darker and dull to
capture the distorted, in-danger and disturbance of the main
character as when filming, the sun was low and very bright. I
discovered this from my primary research of analysing ‘Alice in
Wonderland’.
• And my secondary research was online sources. We also put a
voice over for the first 30 seconds during the establishing shots
similar to the opening ‘Twilight Saga’ which inspired us as it sets
the scene and gives a chilling vibe to the story as the audience
has to listen closely to the narrators voice.

11. References:
Opening “SEVEN”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SEZK7mJoPLY&feature=player_embedded
Opening “Psycho”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Tek8QmKRODw
Opening “The Twilight Saga:”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=abAMyKdPVwM
Opening “The Pirates of the Caribbean - The Curse of the Black Pearl”:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=2TzbpUl8DvU