The task –
Our media task was to create a 2 minute thriller production opening that is conventional and relevant to the thriller genre. In order to do this we were put into groups of 3 or 4 based on different abilities to make sure our group strengths varied in different areas.
When then watched other thrillers and analysed them in order to see examples of thriller conventions and give is some ideas of what we can use in our own thriller.
Next as a group we had to come up with our thriller narrative, storyboard, characters ect… When we came up with our story we then had to create questionnaires to find out the opinions of our target audience and what they would like to see happen before we finalised our production ideas in order to achieve our desired audience response.
Does my thriller follow conventions of a thriller? –
I would say my thriller does follow conventions as after conducting research on other thrillers I became very clear about watch typical thriller conventions there are that I could use. My group continuously used typical conventions of a thriller to make the audience associate my product with the thriller genre. However, my group decided to often put a twist on the typical thriller conventions in order so engage the audience and keep them excited as things would occur that they wouldn’t expect to.
Genetic conventions of a thriller –
Using generics of a thriller therefore allowed the audience to then group our thriller into the thriller category as we used varies conventions such as using the theme of possession, death and spiritual - supernatural events. Doing research on other thrillers made it clear to me that it was important for me to make sure my thriller followed the right conventions in order for it to be seen as successful.
Genetic conventions within my thriller -My group conducted research on thriller conventions by watching and analysing other thrillers; such as, ‘the unborn’, ‘paranormal activity’ and ‘scream’. This gave us ideas about what conventions we can use.
We then decided to make our antagonist a ghost and the using idea of possession on our victim and supernatural activity. This is conventional because the supernatural theme and the theme of possession is a typical conventional thriller theme. However, we put a twist on the typical theme by making our antagonist a ghost child. This was so that we could shock the audience and make them feel slightly uncomfortable with the idea of a cute child being evil.
Also, we decided to use jump cuts in our thriller, similar to paranormal activity and also similar to the ending on scream. This makes our thriller conventional as it excites the audience and shocks them as it makes the scene move sharp which is unexpected.
We used close ups on facial expressions and key iconography. These cinematography techniques allow the audience to have a clear view of the characters facial expressions and emotions, and have a clear view of important iconography. This allows them to sympathise with the characters by allowing them to identify their emotions, as well as making sure they are seeing certain iconography that it is important for them to see so they can easily follow the narrative and is conventional to a thriller.
Lastly, we use low key lighting in a key scene in our thriller which is extremely conventional to a thriller and it creates tension and suspense amongst the audience. However, we put a twist on this as in our final scene we used high key lighting. This is done to again shock the audience as they wouldn’t be expecting anything frightful to happen in high key lighting. This increases the amount of fearful excitement the audience are likely to feel.
Conventions of target audience and opening credits –
After looking at other successful thrillers my group decided that we would target our thriller at an audience of 15+ year olds. This is due to some of the content being innappropriate for peopel under the age of 15. For example, the theme of a ghost child may be seen as disturbing to someone under the age of our target audience. We are aiming our production mostly as teenagers which is why we made or victim a teenage girl to make it seem more realistic and relatable to the audience.
We decided to make our opening credits come up slowy in creepy faded font to help set the atmosphere and to help the audience to identify it as a conventional thriller opening.
My thriller following a conventional narrative structure –
My thriller follows a conventional narrative structure as it starts off like everything is okay and everyone is happy and then it turns negative and a big twist is somehow revealed. From doing research on other thrillers I was able to identify these narrative structures that decieves the audience into thinking thinks are positive and then shocking them with a negative turn.
Chardelle, your choices of conventions and the outcomes on the audience are well discussed. There is also good reference to existing thrillers like 'Paranormal Activity' and how this has influenced your choices. Representations have also been discussed in relation to the characters and costumes you have picked. Audience is well referred to as you state what emotions you wanted to draw from them.
ReplyDelete-refer to the theorist where you comment on the narrative structure
-images of your opening credits to support your writing?