Evaluation - Question 1

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

Explain what the generic conventions are for the thriller genre are, relate to other successful thrillers and examples

The term convention can be defined as ‘typical elements/aspects of a genre that are associated with it and therefore commonly evident.’ From the research I have conducted, I have been able to identify typical conventions associated with the thriller genre by analysing successful thrillers that already exist. It is vital to establish the generic conventions as these are the elements that the audience are familiar with and therefore find appealing. By understanding the conventions, I was also able to identify the effect they had on the audience in order to create a similar effect in my own production. In turn, the audience would be able to identify the opening as belonging to the thriller genre to avoid confusion and becoming uninterested as a result. Below I have depicted the usual conventions identified in the thriller genre, the effect the have on the audience and where such conventions are evident in existing successful thrillers.


Killer dressed in dark colours and victim dressed in light colours

Antagonists are conventionally dressed in dark colours so that their costume reflects their personality; dark and evil, so that the audience can recognise their character. Also, by being dark both inside and out, this creates a more eerie character which the audience and protagonist is vulnerable to. For example in the film Scream, the killer is dressed in only black to reflect to the audience his dark personality and evilness as a character. This makes the audience feel more on edge when he is present as his costume suggests evil. Furthermore, the protagonist is usually dressed in light clothes such as white to connote innocence and purity. This creates a visual contrast between the two characters which visually highlights their differences and conflict.  For example in the opening of Scream, the victim is seen in white clothing to represent her innocence to the audience which therefore encourage the audience to empathise with the victim, engaging them in the narrative.


Low key lighting 

Low key lighting is often used in thriller films to create an eerie atmosphere. Typically, this makes the protagonist and the audience more vulnerable to any sudden content as they are unable to see it prior to it happening. Therefore, low key lighting is efficient in building suspense as it suggests something bad is going to happen, but does not reveal what it will be. Furthermore, low key lighting is also used to create shadows, which are often used for the antagonist, to either hide their identity or reflect their dark personality. For example in the opening of the film Saw, low key lighting is used to create an enigma as the audience can hear the characters talking but due to the lighting being low cannot tell where they are or what they are doing. Therefore the identity of the antagonist is hidden thus building suspense as the audience are vulnerable due to lack of knowledge through the use of low key lighting.


Close ups

In the thriller Prom Night, once the antagonist reveals himself, a close up is used to show the reaction of the victim. A close up shot consists of the frame being very tight so that the subject takes up most of it. Conventionally, close up shots are used in the thriller genre to intensify a moment, which this shot in 'Prom Night' effectively does. By using a close up, the audience are encouraged to focus in the reaction of the victim, who appears emotional in her response. They become aware that she is very scared and shocked to see the antagonist, implying his threat towards her. Therefore the audience become much discomforted as they are easily able to see the vulnerability of the victim which also creates suspense, as it implies an upcoming threatening conflict between the two characters. Ultimately, her emotional response encourages the audience to build a relationship with the victim which in turn, makes them vulnerable to the antagonist also, making them on edge.


Non Diegetic Sound

Non diegetic sound is used in the scene; often used to enhance the visual so that the audience’s emotions are manipulated to feel anxious.  The visual content at this point consists of both ‘Ali’ in the house, juxtaposed with Beyonce going back to the house, unaware that someone is already there. When focused on Ali (the antagonist) the music fluctuates in pitch, going from very low, to increasingly high which connotes a similar sound to screaming. This foreshadows the upcoming events of violence as both women experience pain and screams as a result. This foreshadowing builds suspense as the audience are aware that a conflict will occur as this is implied through the combination of fluctuating sound and juxtaposed shots; however they are unaware of what exactly will happen, thus building suspense.


Diegetic Sound

Later in the scene when Beyonce is looking for Ali within her house, she opens the door. This is an example of diegetic sound as the door squeaking is a naturally occurring sound, rather than added in post-production. Diegetic sound is used in thrillers to make the scene more realistic, as the audience are familiar with these sounds and therefore are able to connect with them. The squeaking of the door creates an eerie atmosphere and suggests that the door/house is old, making it discomforting for the audience as it suggests isolation. Atmospheric sounds are conventional in the thriller genre as it affects the audience into feeling on edge as mentioned before. Also, high pitched sounds such as squeaks are also conventional to the thriller genre as the audience's attention is engaged into the unease caused by such sounds. Similar diegetic sound is also used in the thriller, Shutter Island. In the scene in which the protagonists are entering the complex on Shutter Island, diegetic sound is used when the doors of the mental hospital open. The high pitched squeaking creates an eerie atmosphere as it suggests to the audience that is isolated and desolate. In turn, the location appears more peculiar as it suggests that there has been a lack of human interaction within it, thus making the characters isolated as well. With identical sound effects used in both thrillers, this reinforces this element of sound as conventional to the genre due to its ability to make the audience on edge.


Isolated Location

From the long shot used, the audience are able to establish that the location of the narrative takes place on an isolated island. Isolated locations are often used in thriller films as it intensifies the characters that are there, as there is a lack of human interaction which appears irregular and disturbing as it appears that everything external or civilised is cut off. Isolated locations are also key in limiting chances of escape and therefore entrap the victim, thus making them more vulnerable. This encouraged the audience to build a relationship with the victim and therefore the audience are prone to feeling vulnerable themselves when the victim threatened. An isolated location is also used in the thriller ‘No Country for Old Men’. The opening scene begins with an establishing shot of the setting, showing the location of the scene to be deserted and far from civilisation. This therefore, adds the victims’ vulnerability as there are helpless when under threat of the antagonist as there is nowhere to hide or no one to help. This is conventional within the thriller genre as this makes both the victim and audience feel vulnerable as they are unable to identify a method of escape; similar to the location used in Shutter Island.


Slow Paced Editing

In the thriller Psycho, before the victim is murdered in the shower, slow paced editing is used to suggest a climatic event. When in the shower, the audience are able to see the antagonist in the background as well as the oblivious victim. In this shot, the use of slow paced editing prolongs the frame which creates suspense as the audience are waiting for the murder that eventually happens. Slow paced editing is used in the thriller genre to create suspense conventionally, which this thriller conforms to. The suspense created makes the audience feel on edge as there is no immediate gratification, but rather the audience must be made to feel on edge before getting such gratification i.e. murder.


Hidden identity

It is conventional of the thriller genre for the identity of the antagonist to remain hidden as this creates an enigma, also conventional of the genre. As the audience are unaware of whom the antagonist is, this builds suspense through their increased vulnerability. For example in the film of Scream, the killer is seen by the audience as wearing a mask throughout the film, hiding his identity and creating an enigma as to who it is. Typically, the identity of the antagonist is hidden by a mask, low key lighting, or the narrative does not include a visual sighting of them to create an enigma that will engage the audience.



Discuss how you followed the generic conventions. You must refer to your film in detail. Use special examples and elements.

Low key lighting 

Low key lighting is used in the opening of Saw to create mystery, as well as an eerie atmosphere; this is conventional to the genre as it makes the audience feel on edge and therefore I also used this technique in my own production. The scene starts with the victim in her bedroom on the phone to her friend. Moments later, the power cuts off (including light, phone and laptop) suggesting to the audience that there is someone present, as the darkness of the room connotes the darkness of the villain's personality. It also furthers her vulnerability as she has lost contact with people therefore lowers her chances of escape and builds tension. This encourages the audience to build a relationship due to her vulnerability, which further encourages them to empathise with the character thus becoming more engaged. She holds the phone to her face; the light reflecting on her face symbolising the innocence of her character as the whiteness of it connotes such innocent and pure qualities the victim possesses. Once again, this will encourage the audience to empathise. Overall I have followed convention in terms of lighting as I have created a similar effect on the audience as the existing thriller Saw.


Close ups

In comparison to the thriller Prom Night, my own thriller opening also conforms to the generic convention of using close ups. When the victim has been touched on the shoulder by the antagonist, she turns around and screams; in which a close up shot is used. The significance of a close up shot is vital in encouraging the audience to build a relationship with the victim. When realising that the antagonist is behind her, her facial expressions convey clear fright and shock and by using a close up to frame this, her emotions are intensified to the audience, thus making them focus on the victim's emotions. By having to do so, the audience are made to feel on edge, as they begin to empathise with the victim and therefore feel uncomfortable when she is threatened. Similarly to Prom Night I have effectively used a close up to intensify a specific moment in the opening, as well as creating the conventional effect such shot has on the audience as they are made to feel disturbed. By conforming to such convention, my opening sequence is successful in terms of the cinematography used as it is similar to existing, successful thriller openings.


Non Diegetic Sound

In comparison to Obsessed, the sound used in my own production is very similar in terms of style and convention. Conventionally, sound used in thriller film fluctuates so that it becomes irregular and unpredictable to keep the audience on edge, as well as fluctuating at specific points in the narrative to stress a moment. In my own production, I used a storm soundtrack throughout the entire length of the opening to create an eerie atmosphere. The storm highlights the vulnerability of the victim as it is unsafe in both the house and outside, cutting her off from any comfort or escape. The storm fluctuates at specific points in the narrative such as when the victim opens the door that is predicted to have the antagonist behind it. By having the sound increase in volume and pitch, this moment is stressed which makes the narrative jumpy, thus making the audience feel on edge. Although I have used different sound in my thriller opening, the style in which the sound is executed is conventional to the genre and evident in Obsessed. The fluctuations in the sound make it irregular which makes the audience on edge and therefore the sound in my thriller opening may be deemed successful as a result.


Isolated Location

Isolated locations are commonly used in the thriller genre as they cut off the victims from civilisation, thus making them uncomfortable and vulnerable. It also limits the chances of escaping or receiving help and therefore this makes the audience feel on edge. Isolated locations are evident in Shutter Island and No Country for Old Men, in which both thrillers achieve this effect successfully. I also conformed to this convention, however slightly developed it. The location itself was not isolated in terms of its surrounding, but I used a conventional house in which the victim was isolated within. Therefore not only was the victim still made to feel vulnerable and uncomfortable, (thus making the audience on edge) these emotions of feeling on edge were reinforced, as the location could be related to by the target audience. This allowed the audience to empathise with the victim increasingly as it was easy to relate the situation back on them, causing a disturbance amongst them.


Slow Paced Editing

By having slow paced editing, suspense is built throughout the opening while the victim is looking for the antagonist. It suggests to the audience that a climatic event will occur as a result of the suspense built which will make the audience feel on edge. To elaborate, when the victim hears a noise from another room she goes to check what the cause of it may be in the bathroom. When walking through the corridor and going to open the bathroom door, slow paced editing is used to build suspense as it prolongs the revealing of the antagonist. This makes the audience feel on edge as they are unsure as to what will happen next. This editing style is also evident in the shower scene in Psycho. Prior to the victim being murdered slow paced editing is used to build suspense and imply a pivotal event will occur i.e. the murder.  By doing so, I have also created the desired effect on the audience that is often associated with the thriller genre; feeling on edge. Therefore, my opening sequence may be deemed successful in terms of editing styles as slow paced editing is used in other successful thrillers such as Psycho.


Hidden identity

In the thriller film, Scream, the identity of the antagonist is hidden using a mask. Conventionally, the identity of the antagonist is either hidden or distorted to keep the audience on edge as they are unfamiliar with the character. This proved to be an effective method of creating an enigma and therefore keeping the audience engaged due to their lack of knowledge, which influenced my own production as a result. Throughout the entire opening sequence, the antagonist is not visually seen but only hinted through off screen sound and low key lighting. I decided to not reveal the antagonist at all because as it was the opening, by not including the antagonist, it encourages the audience to watch further to find out. Also, by only hinting at the presence of the antagonist, both victim and audience have lack of clarity and understanding as to what is going on, thus making them on edge. By making the victim and audience simultaneously emotional, it encourages the audience to empathise with the victim, reinforcing their engagement and involvement in the narrative.
Explain how your opening sequence defines the thriller genre. Consider the codes and conventions of the thriller film, specifically micro elements

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Overall my final product appears to not only conform to, but define the thriller genre. The codes and conventions that are evident in the thriller genre are also evident in my own production, thus creating similar effects on the audience as an extension of this.  I have not only achieved this through the micro elements discussed previously, but also in terms of narrative. My own thriller opening is based on the theme of obsession, a conventional theme typically evident in the thriller genre. Existing thrillers such as Scream and Prom Night are examples of successful thrillers that also focus on the theme of obsession. Obsessive themes are successful in the thriller genre as they imply a distorted antagonist who is mentally unstable and therefore make the audience feel on edge. Also this put the victim in a threatening position that the audience also feel on edge about. Because of the percussions of the theme ‘obsession’, it effectively defines the genre as the audience are made to feel in the desired ways; on edge, uncomfortable and disturbed. Thematically, my own production defines the genre for the same reasons; the antagonist is represented as dark and mentally unstable through the use of low key lighting to reflect his evil personality and unsteady credits to convey the ‘unsteadiness’ of the character himself. Furthermore, the victim’s vulnerability is also highlighted through the use of close up shots to capture and emphasise her emotional state, as discussed previously.

Furthermore, the product defines the thriller genre theoretically. When researching into the thriller genre, I identified 3 main theorists that proposed different theories according to the main aspects/elements that make a film successful and conventional’ Aristole, Todorov and Propp. After identifying each proposal, I was able to apply Aristole’s theory most successfully to my own production, implying that the production itself was supported by such theory in defining the thriller genre. Aristole’s theory consisted of 7 main headings; inciting incident, dramatic question, character goal, antagonist/protagonist, stakes, resolution, sympathy/empathy. Our thriller opening can be most applied to Aristole's theory due to the similar themes that arise in his proposal as well as our thriller opening. Also his theory is based on the more serious genres such as tragedy and serious drama and therefore would make logical sense to be applicable to a thriller. There are many examples from our narrative that can be directly related to Aristole's theory. For example, from the beginning of our opening, the audience are able to identify who the protagonist is as we have conformed to the methodology in which the victim is represented i.e. white clothing to connote innocence. An implication of the antagonist's presence is also created through the low key lighting and point of view shots, and therefore the audience are aware that there is a clear protagonist and antagonist, proposed by Aristole. The opening sequence to our thriller can also be applied to further proposals made by Aristole. At the end of the sequence, through the use of low key lighting and shadows, the audience can see that there is a 'mystery' person in the house that is threat to the victim, as they put their hand on her shoulder. When turning around to see who it was, the victim screams which creates a dramatic question - who was it? A dramatic question as proposed by Aristole can be closely linked with an enigma, a convention of the thriller genre as it builds suspense for the audience as they do not have all the information, leaving them on edge.

Lastly, the opening sequence can be applied to one more of Aristole's proposals; sympathy and empathy. We planned our protagonist's representation so she has qualities that the audience can clearly connect with. For example, her age is a similar age to our target audience and therefore they are able to relate to her. Another example which makes our narrative easier to relate to is the location. All of the target audience are able to relate to a house and therefore it is easy to imagine themselves in the position of the protagonist, making them on edge. In the primary research I have conducted, Millie Cooper claimed that a house location made her feel on edge because this feeling can be taken back to when she gets home herself, highlighting the effect the thriller has had on her. Therefore we had planned certain aspects of the film so that the audience can relate to it easily and therefore stimulate both sympathy and empathy for the protagonist in her situation. The themes discussed are the main proposed by Aristole that appear in the opening in the thriller. However, it is also possible that the other themes may arise in the rest of the film. For example, an inciting incident may occur when the antagonist captures the protagonist, which therefore creates a character goal, in that the protagonist will attempt to escape. By being able to apply the opening sequence to a theorist whose proposal is based on serious drama, and therefore almost identical to the thriller genre, it suggests that the opening itself is successful in defining the genre itself.