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

Jordan Weeks

Thriller Genre ConventionsMy final opening sequence manages to match some of the typical conventions of a thriller film genre but misses out some of the others. In spite of this my opening sequence does boast some of the conventions that a real media product has.

For example I have not used a foreign city, exotic setting or urban area for my thriller as it is set in the countryside but you can’t necessarily tell as it is shot in the dark. I have managed to match the convention that in thrillers they frequently use close ups, POV’s and over the shoulder shots.

My opening sequence doesn’t include any kind of weapons or mysterious objects. But typically thrillers have low key lighting which mine does.

Enigma CodesIn my opening sequence I have used a few enigma codes in order to generate a sense of mystery and suspense with the audience. To begin with the low key lighting acts as an enigma code because the colours black and grey can easily hide aspects of the film.

Just after the drugs are taken he gets up and puts keys and a notepad in his pocket, here the audience would wonder what he will need them for. Also when it is dark this is generally when crime and strange happenings occur. Towards the end of the opening sequence a car is following the main protagonist, this makes the audience question who is in the car and why they are following him.

Action CodesAs well as creating a few enigma codes I have also managed to include some action codes that would signify and foreshadow upcoming action. I think when the protagonist is sorting the drugs this gives the audience a feel of what the film could include.

The taking of drugs could signify the consequences and reactions following it. Also when the car is following the main protagonist this could suggest something is going to happen as the car is following him.

TitlesIn the same way in which a professional media product would, I have included titles in my opening sequence. These include the roles which played a part in the construction and success of my opening sequence. I have included titles such as the actors, director of photography , director and the titled of the film. They are just a few of the titles I have included in the two and a half minutes.

Production LogoIn order for my opening sequence to seem like a real media product I made a production logo animation. At first I came up with my design and constructed it in Adobe Photoshop. Then I imported those files into Sony Vegas and formed an animation for my opening sequence. This turned out to work relatively well.