Evaluation Task One :

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

Conventions are the generally accepted ways of doing something. Conventions can be used, supported, reiterated. I have achieved this by using extremely professional cameras (or an Sony NX5 to be precise) in order to present a physiologically based thriller towards viewers. In evaluation of the question set I feel that I have drawn on the conventions of media products in my opening film sequence. This use of these conventions is evident in the construction of my own products, for example through the chosen setting use of a black box studio, I wanted to heighten the strong sense of intensity throughout the opening sequence.  This is supported by my own research into the thriller genre with films such as Quentin Tarantino's crime based thriller "Reservoir Dogs". This research informed of the conventions that I had to follow in terms of narrative/ theme and the ability to create suspense and drama.  I also had to adhere to conventions through the use of titles and sound.  I researched these visiting the website artofthetitle.com.  I found out a variety of different titles which then influenced my own thriller's title to be extremely simplistic through a black backdrop with visible white writing . At the same time I have sought to develop and been able to develop and/or challenge conventions, for example through "Reservoir Dogs"they use a black and white backdrop with red writing for the title, which I personally thought was to stereotypical due to the particular crime genre of the film. By using these conventions I have attempted to challenge audience expectations and bring something different and unexpected about my opening film sequence.  Understanding film conventions enable me to repeat these in my product, but also enabled me to use these in different ways bring unexpected pleasures to the audience by producing something different to that which had been shown in a thriller before. Media conventions are ultimately relied upon from communicating the right message to the intended audience.  They are a template for the success in producing my own opening film sequence. To conclude audiences produce meaning from the interaction of the conventional material in a text, and their understanding of conventions,as  for example through the camera angles constantly focusing on the blood, presented on our dominant characters face, just proves to an audience how severe and dangerous self harm can actually be which as directors, was what we were trying to achieve.
 

 The use of the close up establishes a strong sense of fear and anxiety.

 

The shot selection demonstrates a sense of plot in the idea that a man is being beaten up and the audience is asking the question why and what is happening to this man. This narrative enigma is 

 being plotted in the opening sequence through the editing process.

 

The use of this mid shot connotes the action associated with the thriller genre.  The clenched fist symbolizes aggression and masculinity is being represented as a gangster or crime thriller.  The use of the voice over adds at the start of the opening sequence has been used in films before and here signifies a crisis and enigma being set up between a convention of thriller dramas.

 

The use of the film title is conventional of opening sequences which demonstrates to the audience that the film is about to begin.  The overlaid soundtrack also adds a suspenseful dimension to the opening sequence – a conventions which builds expectation for the audience of the thriller genre.  These titles are used at the start of each film, for example this was shown even before the opening shot is presented.

  

The use of the film studio in the title sequence is a convention of film opening sequences. It provides a form of branding for the audience and the held frame of the shot signifies the style of the film.  This is conventional of the thriller film genre.

 

 The use of the high angle wide shot establishes a sense of character .  This shot is unconventional as it does not reveal a sense of place or setting, but does introduce or plot the centrality of this character who at the end of the sequence is represented as having a split personality upon which the thriller unfolds.  Consider what is unconventional e.g. the high angle and camera movement?

Here is a clip from Guy Ritchie's two thousand and nine adaptation of "Sherlock Holmes", where through the synopsis it is shown that Detective Sherlock Holmes and his stalwart partner Watson engage in a battle of wits and brawn with a nemesis whose plot is a threat to all of England. The scene which revolves around this action based thriller, involves Sherlock getting involved in an extremely abusive fight to which is what wanted are thriller represent to its audience throughout its opening sequence. However unlike Sherlock Holmes, who's actual aim is to destroy the man he is fighting against, our dominant character is fundamentally fighting against himself, this can lead towards the conclusion that through this strong aspect of self harm it can then suggest to the audience how serious and dangerous it actually is.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGCMfprPJoA