QUESTION ONE - Evaluation

Introduction

My brief was to create a 2 minute thriller opening sequence, which included previous research and conventions from thriller films. I researched the thriller genre in various different ways which built up my knowledge of the industry, helping me to create new and different ideas for my opening sequence. For this opening sequence we were allocated groups and from this started discussing and sharing ideas straight away. This group consisted of myself, Hannah and Oliver. Before thinking about ideas for our thriller sequence, as a group we had to create a preliminary task. This consisted of a short scene including five different uses of cinematography. The five different uses of cinematography that we had to include was a long shot, close up, panning shot, reaction shot and over the shoulder shot. A preliminary task was our first trial using the camera, tripod and experimenting using these five uses of cinematography. This helped us gain an image of how easy/hard it was going to be to create a 2 minute opening sequence. 

Before our ideas were put together we decided on production roles, there were eight roles for each of us to take the place of. For us to decide we looked closely at who had the most knowledge and experience on each. The decisions were decided as a group; fairly and equally. Firstly for our producer, we chose to allocate each one of us, this being that we all had a large commitment into producing the opening sequence, and all had our own personal touches, also meaning that we could help each other on different aspects and sections so our thriller opening sequence would be to highest standard when completed. For our director we chose Hannah, the reason for this being is Hannah took Media at GCSE level so has a lot of knowledge and experience on directing others and taking the lead, which we as a group found helpful throughout as she has/gained good leadership skills and working with each one of us personally meant she pointed us In the right direction when taking the lead in one of our roles. After creating our preliminary task we found as a group that me and Oliver were the most talented and skilled at acting, which meant we gained the role each as an actor. At first we both found it hard to adjust to acting in a thriller opening sequence, but after much research and support from each other we both found it easier and learnt what uses of mise-en-scene (facial expressions etc.) were needed to work and add to a thriller film. The fourth production role was director of photography. After producing and analysing our preliminary task, we decided as a group that Hannah took on this role with the most power and dedication and the shots that she had taken in the preliminary task didn't need a lot of work doing to them, which we found was good, as she was now familiar with the camera itself and the settings, as well as being able to work and use the tripod appropriately. Her being able to know all this before the filming started meant we could start straight away with no delays, and reach a high standard/quality. Furthermore, for our music producer we as a group discussed and chose Oliver. Although music isn't put in the opening sequence until after the filming had all been completed, when filming Oliver had in mind what music could be used and completed his research before hand. We found this helped as when the editing stages approached Oliver was prepared, meaning he had more time to adjust the pitches and volumes as well as help me and Hannah if we needed any. Moreover, I was chosen to be our screen play writer, this meant researching fonts and colours for our opening scene credits. Again, the research was already done before hand as I analysed thriller films to see what particular fonts, sizes and shapes were used to add to the thriller effect. Credits are very important in an opening sequence so it was essential that they was in the right position on the screen in front of the right picture/scene. Second from last, we found it very hard to decide who would be our MES co-ordinator, so after mush discussion and questioning we decided that we would all take on the role. This meant we each got to choose/help decide each other's costumes, props and make-up. Although before we thought this may not work out, it was actually an advantage having three people take the role. This being that we all got an input in the decision making, also meaning that we had three different perspectives on each others look on scene, which helped as we could point advantages and disadvantages. And finally our last production role was the editor. This is an important role in production making so we had to conclude pros and cons. For this role as a group we decided that I would be the main editor, although with small amounts of input from my other group mates. The role of an editor is quite hard and requires a lot of work. I leant from this that research from other thriller opening sequences/films helps a lot as you gain skills and learn from other editors choices and decisions. Overall each production role meant we took on our own role and gave our own personal touches to create a group effort. I feel in my own opinion that we worked very well as a group, each putting in the greatest amount of effort that could have been inputted, which is why at the end of our opening sequence we was all very happy with the quality and the standard that it reached.

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

There are many generic conventions of a thriller film. Thriller films have been produced for years, each having its own individual story line and ideas, although all sharing similar features and conventions. There are many well-known generic conventions of a thriller that are very easily spotted/noticed in nearly every thriller film, these being; female victim, low-key lighting, weapon, protagonist, male antagonist, isolated setting, hidden identities, up beat sound effects, weather conditions e.g. thunder and lightening, raining, montage of shots, diagetic sounds e.g. breathing, tension music etc. There are many more, although these are the most conventional and the few I chose to analyse closely.
The successful thriller film which I have chosen to analyse is 'Scream'. Scream is a thriller which is well-known by nearly everyone. This successful thriller was made in 1996, and has been very popular ever since. I chose this film because from first watching, it was very noticeable to me that it held many generic conventions and that they worked well towards the audience. This film demonstrates use of a female victim used throughout, constructed around an isolated setting, also wearing a white top, portraying that she is innocent and vulnerable. This is shown in the film when the young innocent woman receives a phone call from an unknown caller. The use of a female victim in this film enlightened me to come forward with ideas about using a female victim in my opening sequence.  A female victim works well by intreging the audience and creating a close relationship between the two, as a female is portrayed as being more vulnerable than a male victim, especially is the female is young. Furthermore in this film 'scream' low key lighting is used throught which adds to the effect of an isolated setting, which is shown through the patio doors; showing a dark sky with surrounding trees and forest. This is shown also shown through the use of a panning shot.


My film had the title of 'Obscurity' which was chosen as a group. The opening sequence starts with a black background and our production name written in a bright white writing. This clearly indicates to the audience that it is portraying good v bad, connecting to a conventional thriller narrative. Furthermore, the opening sequence then blurs threw to the next scene, showing fire burning, through the use of a close up shot. This close up shot means the audience and hear the sound of the crackling fire and bright orange flames burning in the face of the viewer/audience, also pot raying low-key lighting. Over the top of this picture/scene the first credit is shown to the audience, this states the first actor, although Is shown by the font being jagged, and the use of the colour; red. Red is a conventional colour linked to thriller films, which is why I and my group chose to use this in our opening sequence, as it adds to the suspense and helps lay information to the audience about what this thriller may involve. This font is used the whole way through the opening sequence. Moreover, a generic convention which is portrayed to the audience clearly is a hidden identity. Hidden identities are used frequently in thriller films, as they cover the true antagonist, which is why I chose to use this, the antagonist in my opening sequence is hidden the whole way through, leaving the audience wanting more and on the edge of their seats when it ends, helping the thriller become more exciting and intriguing. Furthermore, from research from the thriller 'Scream', I chose to include an isolated setting for most of the way through. The isolated setting used in my thriller opening sequence is a forest and enclosed area. This helps put the audience in the victims shoes feeling isolated and scared. Conventions are usually seen to only be things you can see on screen, but uses of cinematography such as close up shots and zooming in are frequently used in thriller films. Zooming in helps show the emotion on a victims face and there facial expression or may even to be zoom into an important item, for example a weapon. Close up shots were chosen to be used in my thriller. A close up allows the audience to see something important or intricate detail, the purpose for a close up in my opening sequence is to show the antagonists hidden identity; mask.

A female victim is also used within my opening sequence to show the innocence of the female, and create a sense that the audience will feel sorry for her walking through a alley on her own, also pot raying an isolated setting.As well as burning of pictures of young boys and girls, being burnt by the antagonist. Furthermore, a non-diagetic sound was also used in my opening sequence; rustling of leaves. This is conventional to a thriller as muffled sounds attract the audiences attention more and let them see what the noise is being made by. Lastly, a conventional sound track was played after the opening of the film. A voice slowly singing plays over the opening sequence, adding to the effects of what is being taken place on screen. For example when the picture of a young girl is being burnt shown through a close up and a creepy woman singing brings the effect that you should be scared of what is approaching the screen next. Generic conventions are very important to include in a thriller film as without them the audience would be intrigued and scared by what they see, conventions is what makes a thriller film, and is very important to use them not just in the opening sequence, but throughout the whole film.