IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE,

DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS

OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

Evaluation 6 – Jacob Osman

CONVENTIONS OF THRILLER

Thrillers are located in many different settings, some common examples could be in dark and gloomy places, such as

dark alleys, woods and street settings.

Different levels of low key lighting are used to create suspense or a mysterious atmosphere.

There normally needs to be props in a good thriller, a gun or some sort of weapon is the key prop as this can

dramatically change the mood of a film.

The costumes in a thriller have to be dark, more so the villain as he would be representing death and danger.

The victims posture would also be very low, especially if they are running away or hiding. Chases are good for a thriller,

as they build up tension and add suspense.

Fast paced edits are used to create a sense of urgency and helping the film flow quickly seamlessly between shots. Non-

Diegetic music would accompany this by building up keep the tension.

High angle shots and Low angle shots are frequently used, as a high angle shot would be used to make a victim look

weak and in trouble as it would be looking down on them, whereas a low angle shot would be looking up at a hero making

them look strong and powerful.

Close up shots are used to show the characters facial expressions clearly, whilst long shots can show where action is

taking place and an establishing shot sets the scene.

In an Opening Sequence, the film title, film production company, film studio and at least 20 credits are shown.

H O W M Y F I L M H A S K E P T W I T H I N T H E C O N V E N T I O N S O F R E A L M E D I A

P R O D U C T S

I believe that our Opening Title Sequence has stuck to the conventions of real media products. This is because our film is about two Average Joe police officers (Protagonists), one is a lead character and the other is his sidekick, who are on the pursuit for a criminal (Antagonist). The film is set in standard residential property which is a ‘everyday’ location. This will have an effect on the audience as they are meant to feel safe in their house. Bright natural lighting is used when the camera is on the Police Officers, this is because they are the Protagonists, but when the film cuts to the close up (1) of the hooded assassin, the lighting is low key and a low angle shot is used to portray him as powerful and dangerous. A total of 20 credits are displayed throughout the Opening Title Sequence, which is the amount a thriller film should have. During the title sequence, various close ups are used to show the facial expressions of the characters. There was a close up (2) of the Protagonist sidekick (Fateh Khaled), where he looks up, pulling a a tired and confused face while scratching his neck. These facial expressions and body language suggests that he is annoyed that they haven't seen any sign of the assassin. This shot fades into a shot of him searching through draws for anything that might help them locate the assassin. The use of long shots helps to establish the scene, a shot of the main police officer walking into the smaller building (3) shows the surroundings to the audience and by doing this it sets the scene. A point of view shot (4) is used to put the audience right in the center of the action, keeping up the pace and letting the audience see through the eyes of one of the characters. In this case the Protagonist sidekick police officer’s point of view shows his arms holding his gun, following the main protagonist through the garden and towards the back of the house.

(2)

(3)

(1)

(4)

H O W H A S M Y O P E N I N G T I T L E S E Q U E N C E H A S D E V E L O P E D A N D C H A L L E N G E D

C O N V E N T I O N A L F O R M S O F R E A L M E D I A P R O D U C T S

We have developed and challenged convention forms of thriller by making the protagonist sidekick police officer character have a more important say than the lead protagonist. We can see this when the lead character asks the sidekick “Where’s your vest” to which he replies with “I thought I wouldn't’t need it, if I get shot, I get shot”. This shows that the sidekick is doing what he wants without any influence from the main character. Another example of this would be when the sidekick asks that the main character should check outside, even though he is a sidekick he still told the main character what to do. By going outside, the main character walked into the firing line of the assassins sniper, as the main character is put into danger, this is an anti stereotype as it is conventional for the sidekick to walk into danger while the main character would risk his life to save him. The title sequence ends with the main character getting shot, which would then suggest that the sidekick would become the main character for the rest of the film and would possibly avenge his partner. Our sequence also brings forward a strong sense of enigma as the audience are made to believe that the agent wearing the vest (main protagonist) is in control of the investigation. Enigma would be created when he goes back outside, they would be asking ‘why has he done this?’ and then when it ends on a gun shot they would be asking questions such as ‘how is the main character dead already?’ and ‘what will become of his death regarding his sidekick?’. Our film title ‘Vindicate’ is an uncommon word, and relates to suspicion and guilt. This is why it fits our film and our opening title sequence has lined up the film to be an exciting thriller with a lot of unexpected twists and turn of events.