In this document, the author discusses how their media product adheres to and develops conventions of real thriller/psychological thriller films. Specifically, the author sets their opening sequence in an eerie house setting using low key lighting and black and white, mimicking popular films. They also follow genre conventions for the title, credits, and production logo. Iconography like portraits and empty chairs are used to create unease. Camera angles, editing techniques, and an ambiguous point of view also emulate real thriller films. The goal is to make the product look professional and appeal to audiences by conforming to established genre conventions.

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

2.  GenreConventions -When producing my opening sequence, I tried to adhere to the
forms and conventions of movies from the psychological thriller/ thriller genre in real
media products in order to make my product look as professional as possible. My film
ultimately falls under the genre of the psychological thriller however elements of the
supernatural and horror genre can also be seen in it.Therefore I have combined the
forms and conventions of these genres.
 Setting – Firstly, I used inspiration from a range of popular thriller films and set my
film in ‘creepy’ eerie looking house.This convention of a ‘scary’ setting evokes a sense
of fear and discomfort from the audience and immediately establishes the tone of the
film, which was what I was aiming for in my product. I decided to set my opening
sequence in black and white, as I believe this increases the ‘eerie’ feel to the setting as
well as creating an element of mystery, suggesting this is perhaps a flashback or
dream. I tried to use low key lighting to enhance the shadows and blackness in my
shots , I used the ‘darker, more contrast’ effect inVegas, which I think makes the
scenes more prominent and bold therefore better for the viewer. My use and
development of these conventions can be demonstrated through these
screenshots, which show a comparison of the settings of popular thriller/ horrors and
the setting of my film:

3. Insidious: My Film:
TheWoman In Black:

4.  FilmTitle & Credits – I noted that the majority of thriller/ horror films are generally named
after either; the main character (usually the villain) or an object/place which the film is
based upon, for example: ‘case 39’ ‘the woman in black’ ‘the orphan’ ‘the black swan’. At
first, I had decided to call my film ‘Camilla’ (the main character) but then decided on
‘Dream Catcher’ instead which, I think, is better as it is a more broad title which sounds
more interesting, and incorporates the importance of dreams and sleep within my film. I
followed the thriller/horror convention of having the movie title in large red font, which
generally connotes danger, blood and violence, I also liked the contrast of the red against
the black background. However, I decided to use a softer font as I think it was more
appropriate for the content of my film, as it does not contain violence or gore, I did not
think a bold and rigid title would be necessary. I edited the title shot so that it had old film
grain effect on it, which I think is good as it carries on that element of mystery and eeriness.
I carried on this font style with my credits, and put them in the conventional order of most
important and featured to least.
My FilmTitle:

5.  Production Logo – I followed the convention of including a production
logo at the start of my opening sequence, when I produced my
production logo, I had in mind that ‘sjvb productions’ would be a
company that specifically features thriller movies. I therefore thought it
may be good to have an eye in it, as this can symbolize all sorts of
different things, but I mainly had in mind it symbolizing different
perceptions, good and evil, omniscience. I edited this picture of an eye to
make it appear darker and therefore representing evil, which is a theme
that a lot of thrillers contain.
 I also included a sound to my production logo, which is a sort of high
pitched distorted speaking sound, which follows the convention of use of
distorted sound in thrillers to create unease and fear.

6.  Iconography and themes/motifs – I noted that in psychological thrillers
as well as thrillers and horrors, there is often use of objects such as
paintings and mirrors to suggest the character ‘being watched’, example:
the black swan (usualy a figment of their imagination) I think this is good
for creating suspense and a sense of discomfort, so I thought that I
would follow this convention in my opening sequence.
 Firstly: the entire sequence is filmed from somebody's point of view, but
who?This is left a mystery. I included shots of old fashioned portrait
paintings, focusing in on the persons face. I think this reinforces that
sense of unease & eeriness.
 I included shots of things like empty chairs and sofas, which I think adds
to the element of mystery. Why is the house so empty?Were there
people sitting in those chairs? Here are some shots:

8.  Other recurring images and themes I've noted in the psychological
thriller genres include the use of stairs and the contrast of lights against
dark and ominous backgrounds. I tried to follow these conventions of
iconography in order to produce a product that could be immediately
identified as this genre. Here are some comparison screenshots of these
things used in real media products, and in mine:

9.  Other forms and conventions of real media products can be seen in my
use of camera angles and editing. I tried to include as many different
angles and shots as possible, including:
 Panning shots – exploration of setting
 Medium close ups – showing details of things
 Extreme close ups – creating discomfort
 Tilt camera movement – exploring the setting/focus of setting
 High Angle – showing vulnerability and helplessness, also creating
feeling of being watched
 Point of view – the whole of my opening sequence is meant to be p.o.v
which helps the audience interact more as well as creating a sense of
mystery and creepiness.
 Fading offset – when editing, I decided to fade the transitions between
shots, I used this because it is a popular technique in films of my
genre, especially when setting a scene.

10.  EnigmaCode - I made use of the enigma code in my opening sequence
in order to raise suspicions and create suspense.The audience is not
aware of whose point of view the product Is from, or why they are in the
house therefore an element of mystery as well as discomfort is created.
Hopefully this will appeal to the audience as they will be interested in
finding out the answers, so they will watch the rest of the film. This is a
popular convention and is used in most thrillers/crime thrillers/
psychological thrillers and horror films.
 In conclusion, I have tried to use and develop conventions of real media
products (specifically of the thriller genre) in order to make my product
look as good and professional as possible, as well as to make it appealing
to a mass audience. I have not challenged these forms and conventions
but rather stuck to them.