Evaluation Question 1

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

The media product we produced has elements and aspects of forms and conventions that a real media product would consist. For our two-minute opening sequence we wanted the artefact to look as professional and enticing as possible so we followed the codes and conventions of other films and what opening sequences would have. Our main task was to plan and research, prepare, film and edit a two minute opening sequence of a thriller genre. In order to do this we had to gain knowledge on thrillers and opening sequences. We then researched films of different genres and researched codes and conventions of general opening sequences so we could get more of an idea of what we wanted our product to be like. From our research we gathered that thrillers can be broken into sub-genres, and our film would be placed into a mystery thriller genre and this would be a suitable genre for our sequence to be based on. As our target audience were mostly keen on thrillers that they had to think and solve puzzles in.

After researching the codes and conventions of general opening sequences we know had a more clear vision of what our sequence could be based on. We wanted to create enigmas and raise the expectations of the audience, so they can question and try to elicit what will happen next. This is also very conventional of a thriller genre as it mostly starts in a unique way trying to draw in the audience and creating mystery and anticipation. The antagonist is never mostly shown in the beginning of thrillers, as they want to keep the audience in the dark, and in some cases twist the story so the audience think it’s a specific character but when the truth is revealed it leaves them enticing. To follow this code we used over the shoulder shots so we could hide the identity of the antagonist. All of this is crucial as suspense is created which is one of the most important factors of good thriller movies. We used a various shots in our sequence to convey different messages to the audience, like close-ups to express emotions, feelings and facial expressions. An example of this if when saw the students reaction after she had seen the teacher enter the room.

From researching different genres of film we came across the film ‘Se7en’ which a cross between a crime mystery thriller. We watched the opening sequence to the film and our sequence similar to it. The director used fast paced edits that got faster as it approached the climax. In order to achieve our vision of the sequence we had to keep in mind crucial elements that would play a big part in making it come together as a whole. Elements such as mise-en-scene, sound and ultimately editing as this would portray the meaning behind the film. Because our film was based on a teacher the perfect location was Havering, as we could see the college building and use the classrooms. Sound was also very important as this would make the audience anticipate what is going to happen. We used non diegetic sound throughout the course of the film, this creates enigmas as the audience hear the change in the pitch and pace of the music they think something is going to happen. Choosing the right music is essential as it had to suit our opening sequence and create the right atmosphere as a whole. The sound starts off almost silent and gradually increases in volume making the audience cling to their chairs as they wait for a bang! Because we used fast paced editing the lighting was key, as we wanted to give the movie an eerie feel so we had a combination of good and bad shots making the bad shots. The good shots were in colour and the bad shots were in black and white.

Below are nine screen shots that sum up our two minute opening sequence.

Shot 1: This shot shows a quotation from John Cotton Dana, we included this in the beginning to make the audience think and question what the sequence may be about. It’s in red and a bold font this gives the connotations of blood and death, and will create enigmas within the audience.

Shot 2: This shot is used twice during the course of the sequence. It’s used once at the beginning then at the end, as our sequence is a back f lash of the antagonists’ recalling the events that happened earlier that day.

Shot 3: We used the college as the location because this would be ideal as we the sequence is about a teacher. We got an establishing shot so the audience can have an idea of where the film is taking place

Shot 4: This is our production logo; we used it at the beginning when introducing the titles etc. This will help the audience distinguish this as our production company and if we were produce another media product the audience may remember it.

Shot 5: This is an over the shoulder shot of the mystery antagonist. We see the hood and shoulder of the mystery person, and more importantly we see weapons laid out on the table in front of them. We used this shot as we had a variation of bad and good shots and this is one of the most significant shot throughout the sequence, it creates tension and enigmas within the audience as they ask ‘who is this person an why are they there?’

Shot 6: This is another over the shoulder shot but in this image we see the teacher over the shoulder of one of her students. This shot helps us see her facial expressions and lets us know how she may be feeling and what she may be thinking. This may reveal more of her personality and help the audience figure out her specific role in the sequence

Shot 7: Shot seven is a shot from behind of the mystery person; this creates suspense as the shots lead up to the mystery person heading towards the door. So the audience anticipate something is going to happen and this makes them anxious and engages them more into the thriller.

Shot 8: This is a close up of the student Natasha’s face. She looks shocked as she has seen an unexpected person turn up at the door. This will help the audience uncover the puzzle of the story as they try and figure out who the unidentified mystery person is.

Shot 9: The final shot is the title ‘The Teacher’ which is in a bold font and in red. I created this title using the application Paint. It zooms in from being small to larger on the screen, this makes you jump as you don’t expect it.

Overall our media product mostly challenges forms and conventions of real media product.  We use different techniques and elements to portray what we want our audience to see.