1.

In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?

When reviewing my opening sequence I felt that I successfully used forms and

conventions of real media products as I included common conventions of the Thriller genre

in order to ensure that my opening sequence could be easily classified into this genre by

the audience.

One common convention of Thrillers, is the red herring; the title, ʻIʼm Coming to Find Youʼ

is in its self a red herring, as it is a reference to the dialogue of the babysitter, yet has

double meaning as it could also reference to the voyeuristic presence suggested

throughout the sequence, by the nursery rhyme music, ʻview finderʼ filter, and regular

visuals of the clown toy.

The response from my focus group enforces my view that I successfully used these

conventions, as every member of the group classified my sequence into the Thriller genre.

When asked ʻWhat aspects of the sequence do you particularly like, or dislike, and why?ʼ -

Identified as a dislike, was the fact that the sequence was shot in daylight. I was not able

to film at night as I needed a longer period of time to film, and also needed to ensure that

William was on his best form and this therefore meant that it was necessary to film during

the day. I ensured that the mise-en-scene was dark and that the lighting was not too bright

in order to detract from this. As my focus group still identified my sequence into the Thriller

genre, this suggests that I challenged forms and conventions of the genre, as commonly

Thrillers are set in dark lighting, often at night.

As it was necessary for the mise-en-scene to be dark, for example clothing and

surroundings in the house, I took inspiration from thrillers that I had researched into.

Therefore I would say that I have used conventions of real media products and

intertextuality, as I took particular inspiration from The Ring with regards to mise-en-scene:
 The top left is a screen shot from
The Ring, influenced by the effect
of the dark and simple mise-en-
scene, emphasizing the dark
theme of the narrative, I kept the
mise-en-scene throughout my own
media product similar to that
shown in the top left. I did this to
ensure that my mise-en-scene
reflected the dark themes of the
narrative throughout my thriller
opening sequence.

Other ways in which I used forms and conventions of the Thriller genre is the mise-en-

scene throughout, I ensured that surroundings and clothing were dark colors as this also

contrasted to the bright colors of the clowns, emphasizing their relevance. I also used

obscure camera angles as this is again a common convention, during the conversation

between William and the babysitter, I used a Point of View angle, from lying down, and

obscure lighting through blinds could be seen in the background. The obscurity of the

angle is symbolic of the obscurities occurring in the sequence, and encourages a feeling of

unease, a common feeling achieved with psychological thrillers.

This is a screen shot of

the obscure point of view
angle showing the
obscure lighting.
Common elements of thrillers are obscure angles and I therefore used this convention

throughout my media product to keep the genre recognition consistent for the audience.

This is an obscure point of view

angle from below. The effect of an
angle shot from below would
normally suggest the superiority of
the subject, yet the viewfinder filter
contrasts to this and this suggestion
is therefore challenged, as the
subject is actually in a position of
weakness, supported by her facial
expression and body language.

Common elements amongst psychological thrillers, include mind games, confinement/

deathtraps and obsession - all of which are apparent in my own opening sequence. The

mind games begin with the title, ʻIʼm Coming to Find Youʼ, as this title seems

straightforward as the sequence begins with a game, yet the duplicity and confusion of the

title becomes apparent when an unknown presence is introduced into the sequence. The

nursery rhymes could also be considered mind games, as it is these that lead the two

characters to the cupboard. The cupboard could be considered the confinement/deathtrap,

and within this is the bricolage of photographs of William, suggesting the obsession and

theme of stalking, again a common element in Thrillers. These aspects are demonstrative

of conventions of traditional psychological thrillers.

This is a screen shot from

my opening sequence
that refers to the
ʻobsessionʼ.
2. How does your media product represent particular social groups?

The character of the babysitter in my opening sequence, although casually dressed is

clean cut and well presented. This would suggest a middle class background, re-enforced

by the mise-en-scene of the house, such as the multiple stories, co-ordinated decoration

throughout, and size of the rooms. This therefore represents a middle class setting,

therefore safe surroundings, and a secure environment, an invasion into this environment

accentuates the vulnerability within the sequence, adding to the sense of loss. I found that

as it is an unexpected environment for unsafe actions, the audience feel unsafe which

allows them to emerge themselves in the sequence.

This middle class setting is also shown through the opening shots of the car on a

respectable North London Road:

This is a screen shot

from my opening
sequence. I have used a
glow filter which adds a
ʻdream likeʼ effect to the
visuals, emphasizing the
contrast between the
equilibrium and the
disruption to this.

This can bee seen as the ʻequilibriumʼ, with regards to Todorovʼs theory. Todorovʼs

narrative theory states five stages, the first of which being ʻdefining the state of

equilibriumʼ, the second being ʻdisruption to the equilibriumʼ. In my own media product, the

disruption to the equilibrium would be when the babysitter closes the door to the house, as
the lighting changes from the bright idealistic daylight, to dimly lit with dark mise-en-scene,

her character is also sinister which raises questions in the minds of the audience:

This screen shot shows

the disruption to the
equilibrium due to the
contrast from the dream
like idealistic setting
outside, to the dimly lit
house with dark mise-en-
scene, as well as the
sinister character.

Also represented, is the child in the sequence, he is stereotypically representative of youth

as his vulnerability is suggested through the fear shown as he hides during the game with

his babysitter:

This is a screen shot from my

sequence that shows the
vulnerability demonstrated through
my media product.

His youth is also represented through his bedroom, a typical young boys bedroom:

The brightly colored bed

sheets and toys
demonstrate his youth as do
his space ship pajamas.
3. What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?

I feel that my media product would be distributed through mainstream multiplex cinemas,

as the Thriller genre appeals to a mass audience as many appreciate the fast pacing and

complex plots associated with this genre. As I have used common forms and conventions

of this genre, I feel that it would, like many Thrillers, appeal to a mass audience.

For example, ʻThe Sixth Senseʼ - a psychological Thriller, that similar to my own media

product demonstrates the thrill through the vulnerability of a child, was distributed through

mainstream multiplex cinemas.

Similarly, many sub genres of Thrillers are shown in mainstream cinemas, enforcing the

suggestion of their mass audience appeal, such as ʻBlack Swanʼ, ʻInceptionʼ and ʻShutter

Islandʼ.

4. Who would be the audience for your media product?

As the Thriller genre includes various sub genres, I would say that generally psychological

Thrillers appeal to an older demographic as they are more inclined to understand the

complexities that come with the plot twists and red herrings in the storyline.

I feel that my Thriller would appeal to an audience ranging from 16 +. I believe that it would

be more popular with older audiences as many will be able to relate to the vulnerability of

the child and this would add to the thrill. The complexity of the psychological mind games

would also be difficult for a younger audience to understand.

5. How did you attract/address your audience?

I promoted interest in my media product and secured an audience through creating

a Facebook group, summarizing my task and posting a link to my media product on

youtube, in order to gather opinions and criticisms on my final opening sequence.

Due to synergy, the accessibility of Facebook through different forms of technology

such as mobile phones is high. This means that I was able to gather an audience

easily, increasing the attraction to my media product.

Through posting my opening sequence on youtube I will also attract an audience

from not only the members of my facebook group, but from members of the public,

this will open up my media product to non biased opinion.

By using a sinister character in the beginning of the opening sequence, it raises questions

in the minds of viewers, and when the plot revels that the character of the babysitter is a

red herring, the audience are kept engaged and eager to watch on. I also addressed the

audience by using point of view shots, which again, is engaging as the viewer is almost a

part of the conversation or action. For example the point of view shot that I used during the

conversation between William and the babysitter:

This point of view shot engages the

audience and they are able to see
what William sees, and therefore
relate to his character, this keeps the
audience attracted as the empathy
for his vulnerable character is
increased.

When using the ʻviewfinderʼ filter, this is also a point of view shot; from the suggested

presence that has significant relevance, that of which is not yet apparent, this unknown

element to the opening sequence encourages viewers to watch on, and the cliff hanging

elements in my media product were identified amongst my focus group as an aspect that
the feel impacted their desire to watch the full film, this again keeps viewers attracted and

engaged.

I used restricted narrative in order to surprise the audience, for example when the

babysitter is entering the cupboard, it is not yet apparent to the audience that there is

anything a-miss with regards to the cupboard as the shots of William would suggest that

he is still in the cupboard. This therefore build suspense as the audience are in

anticipation. This known and unknown within the narrative, relates to Claude Levi Strauss’

narrative theory of binary opposition, this is the idea of two ‘opposing forces’, where one of

the two reinforces our conception of the other. With regards to my own media product, the

physical presence of the babysitter and William in the sequence, reinforces the question of

the unknown in the mind of the audience, encouraging them to watch on as the plot

unfolds.

I feel that one main element that kept the audience attracted throughout my opening

sequence is the use of a child, as the vulnerability of the child causes anxiety and

emphasizes the sense of danger, adding to the thrill and adrenaline. From my research

into Charles Derry and his theory on the suspense thriller, I am lead to believe that the

ʻthrillsʼ come from the audience putting themselves in dangerous situations, the dangerous

situation in my media product is the danger that the child is in, emphasized by his young

age and therefore vulnerability.

6. What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this

product?

During the construction of my Thriller opening sequence my skills in final cut pro have

developed, and I have learnt the importance of various forms of technology in order to aid

the construction. For example, my confidence in final cut pro grew with support from

youtube tutorials, these enabled me to experiment and push the boundaries of my ability
with the program. I was therefore able to use more advanced tools, as well as using my

basic final cut pro skills. For example, in the opening shots of the car driving away, I used

a ʻgloomʼ filter, this added a distorted visual subtly suggesting that something was not right

within the sequence. This is a filter that I do not feel I would have previously used but due

to my developed skills and confidence I was able to experiment more freely and

knowledgeably increasing the quality of my finished media product.

Along with the filters that can add quality and new perception on the visuals, I discovered

that I could use my basic skills to manipulate the footage, changing the sequence of

events to create new events. I learnt that both the basic skills I already possessed, and my

new found confidence in this particular form of technology, final cut pro, were both of

importance when editing my media product.

With final cut pro I was also able to add, edit and manipulate my own audio. This use of

technology enabled me to emphasize the anxiety and terror demonstrated through the

visuals, as the use of music creates tension and suspense as it makes the audience aware

that something is about to happen, but they do not know exactly when.

Technologies also included in the construction of my media product included my blog, I

learnt that this was an effective process, as it provided me with a visual aid in tracking my

progress.

7. Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the

progression from it to the full product?

For my preliminary task I was required to complete a continuity task involving filming and

editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite

another character and exchanging dialogue. I was required to demonstrate match on

action, shot reverse shot and the 180 degree rule.

In order to ensure that I demonstrated these skills, I storyboarded each shot that I planned

to use. With these basic requirements in mind, I used basic shots in order to demonstrate

the skills clearly and effectively, yet the finished product was not interesting or particularly

advanced.

In progression from this task to my final, full product I have learnt the importance

storyboarding, and of using a variety of shots in order to keep the visuals engaging and

interesting. A variety of shots also offers a variety of perceptions on the subject, which is

thought provoking to the audience. Having storyboarded my preliminary exercise, I learnt

the importance of having visual aid when filming in order to ensure that I had enough

footage and included everything that I required for the finished product, this is something

that I considered when filming my opening sequence.

With regards to editing the preliminary task enabled me to exercise my basic final cut pro

skills, that I was then able to develop on as I gained confidence when progressing to my

final media product.