Liam Nolan - Evaluation Question 1

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



Editing:

Our thriller incorporates the generic conventions of film opening. The name of the production company is at the beginning (top row left), with the title following afterwards (top row centre). Another way in which our thriller incorporates generic conventions is through the use of music which suits the genre. This is sustained throughout, as no speech is communicated between any of the actors. Continuity editing is also used to develop the logical order of the sequence. Our action is not interspersed by separate titles, but instead incorporates the titles with the action scene itself.

Our use of conventions gives some sort of indication as to what thriller films have influenced our opening. For example, the opening to 'The Sixth Sense' has had a measurable influence on our opening, especially with the use of titles/credits at the beginning followed by flashbacks of the past. The use of the white cinematic styled text on a black background influenced our layout/design for the credits (see above), and although the flashback scene in 'The Sixth Sense' does not follow immediately after the opening credits (see right), it still had considerable influence over the structure for a thriller opening.

Character:

Our thriller challenges these conventions to a large extent, in that there is more than one character established in the opening sequence, but this also develops another generic convention; establishing to the audience who is involved. The differences between the characters is established; the way in which each character walks exemplifies this; one walks suspiciously (played by Callum Gordon), whilst the other one (played by Cameron Matthews see below), walks innocently.

Mise en Scene:

The setting is established (in a shopping centre car park - top row right). Another generic convention that is challenged is that conversations do not prevail at all throughout the opening.  The dark clothes used by all actors also emphasise the dark characterisation of the opening.
















Lighting:

The conventions used indicate the sub-genre of this thriller opening, which is horror. This is exemplified by the use of lighting, which is darker because of the interior setting of the car park (see above). This light is natural, because of the walls blocking out the daylight that prevails outside, meaning only shades of light fade through.


Camera Angles, Shots and Movement:

Through the use of camera shots, angles and movement, our thriller opening successfully presents the setting and characters to the audience. The long distance shot (above), enables the audience to see the size of the car park, as well as establishing one of the main characters and also the producer through editing. The close-up shot of the victim being suffocated places both the victim and perpetrator in the centre of the frame, as both are positioned in line with one another.