Evaluation: Question 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions? - Mrs. Quinlan

Question 1 from emekamoore

Final Product

Evaluation: Question 7: Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product? - Mrs. Quinlan

The preliminary task was to set up a conversation between two people whether from our group or external students and to record this conversation without trying our upmost best to create a perfect masterpiece as it is only our first recorded product. Its main aims were to see how we handled the camera, who was the best in front of the camera and what we could do with the 30 seconds that were given to us. This exercise helped the group in terms of confidence and having the ability to peer assess each other and analyze our own work in that process.

In terms of filming I think I am more comfortable when it comes to holding the camera and the handling of it to explore and experience new angles to use with the final media product. This was good as I could aid my partner when it came to filming so that it wasn’t just a one man job and more teamwork in terms of filming both preliminary and final media product.

I also got to grips with being in front of the camera and holding myself together when it came to serious scenes and doing the right things at the right time to add to that element of mystery and thriller. This was good as it set me up for more work in front of a camera if needed so.

In terms of editing I think I am more comfortable with making sound to suit the purpose, theme and scenario as I can look at footage and create sound to blend in with the moment as well as allowing the scene to tell a story without having any dialogue using the sound I add to the scene. This is good as then when it came to creating sound that fit the purpose I was already ahead in knowing what to do.

Also it helped me improve when it came to using Logic Pro as I was using a software which was more advanced than GarageBand in terms of options and limitations. By using this I could do things to the sound I had input for the final product that GarageBand couldn’t do such as tweaking the Sub-Bass or being able to change the sound completely.

Preliminary - Final Product

In the preliminary this scene is similar to that of this scene in the final product in which the character is sat on a chair just relaxing not even serious about anything at that current moment. This is shown clearly in the final product that we took the seriousness from our preliminary and added it to the final product.

Looking at this scene of the preliminary video it seems like he is fearful of his current situation and is worried about the arrival of possible punishment, which in some ways links to the final product as the victim is waiting for the antagonist to arrive and decide what to do with him. Compared to the preliminary things went from being bright to more dark scenery and placement.  

From the preliminary to the final product we tried to use filter to make sure the colours remained the same but at a sharper contrast and leaving it to suit the theme of the scene, grey, black, both implicating something is about to happen.

The initial planning became essential for me to ensure everything was at its best because it helped me improve my general knowledge on the different concepts of media that help create a good thriller. Because of this planning it helped me to further my knowledge by doing research into the different areas such as sound and editing, and because of this I was able to use what I had learnt to contribute to the group planning when it came to storyboarding and planning how the narrative and plot would pan out, also with my storyboard I already wrote it down then I just visualized it in my head and drew it out on paper. We planned group roles based on experience and skill as me and my partner both had different abilities at our disposal. Pre-production paperwork was done as a group and helped us understand what was needed to license the recording if done on private land also we had to undergo a risk assessment which was and is compulsory when taking part in events like that.

I believe I made a successful thriller, far off perfect but enough feedback to help me if I make another thriller opening. Compared to the preliminary, and the fact that we had a really low budget to produce an opening of that quality shows we can produce something successful.

I enjoyed acting in-front of the character and creating sound for different scenes as it has helped me adapt my skill of analysis and understanding as now I can look at scenes with no sound and plan what type of sound can be added to the scene rather than being unoriginal.

I think that many things can be improved with my opening thriller sequence based on the feedback received. Such as restricting the number of filters attached to different scenes, the original colours were rarely seen as they were replaced with other filters in their place which put a limit on the analysis of natural colour and how we used it to depict the current theme and mood around each scene which was something that could have been changed just by watching it over and comparing it to other thrillers. 

I have learned how bigger film producers go through the production of their film using a slightly bigger software if there is one. By using new software I have also learnt how to import videos and editing them to my taste which is something I had the chance to do in the process of creating the final product. I have also learned how to create pre-production paperwork when it comes to filming at locations owned by somebody else, this ties in with carrying on with this subject as I may have to record something else which may have to do with a location that is owned by someone else which will mean I’ll have to create my pre-production paperwork again without help as I already have experience.

Evaluation: Question 6: What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this media product? - Mrs. Quinlan

Evaluation: Question 5: How did you attract/address your target audience? - Miss Begum

My research into existing thriller films was important as it would later give me support in molding different ideas and elements from these thriller films to make one final media product. Secondary research is good as instead of working harder to make a product, without having enough detailed knowledge, I have the opportunity to get statistics and opinionated reviews on films and the thriller genre which set me up to create a thriller based media product.

From my own research into thriller films, I believe that the target audience that they appeal to consist of age, gender, ethnicity, occupation and, hobbies and interests. My own target audience for each of these are as follows:

My target audience: 

Age: 15-30

Gender: Unisex

Ethnicity: None Specific

Occupation: None Specific

Hobbies and Interests: Thrillers, Dark Themes, Mystery.

I believe that from the thriller films the target audience mostly enjoy the unusual element of surprise and mysterious plot twists which is something thrillers don’t find hard to achieve. From the thrillers I have personally experienced there has been a plot and without even having time to think they drop a twist in the storyline leading to the audience being more intrigued and curious as to what they have changed like the protagonist’ enemy being a family member. Many other genres have taken this procedure in their films using that plot twist and is rare in thrillers so for my final product to take the role I believe we are carrying on them legacy.

Further to this, the emotions I believe the audience are likely to experience are psychological and physiological as there are dark scenes in the thriller, with the only light scene coming from when the antagonist goes to open the door, which could have a deeper meaning to it. I find it a bit of a hair raiser towards the end as it shows the new antagonist getting ready to step out with his master, readying this sharp knife while still keeping his identity hidden, to a really deep and hard sound made on Logic.

I believe that this was good research as it meant that for my thriller I had to consider who my target audience were and why they were my target audience. This meant that when planning and carrying out different scenes in the media product I had to take note as to what the audience wanted to see and how they wanted to see it. This was good as the audience played a part in the production of the final product through their opinion.

From my research, the target audience I wanted to attract for my thriller were young adults entering the stage of their life where they had to start maturing which meant nothing too cheesy or predictable was to come off the final product. Making the antagonist a younger male was a good way to accomplish this as we broadened the barrier and allowed for young males to relate to the father/son bond that the antagonist and presumable victim have as seen in the opening sequence.

Attracting my audience by creating a questionnaire: 

I carried out a questionnaire because, I felt as if getting direct feedback from the general and target audience would have an impact on how my production towards the final product went. The importance of my questionnaire was key as I gathered more direct feedback on what was needed and how I could accomplish this from the necessary people.

Some of the key questions I asked to make sure that I was attracting my target audience were:

• What emotions do thrillers tend to bring out from you?
• What do you expect in a thriller film?
• What is your personal opinion of a thriller film?
• What is your favourite thriller film?

Multiple key questions to get more information to address my audiences needs:

These are 2 quotes that I got from my open minded questions which helped me make key decisions to ensure that I was attracting and addressing my target audience.

What is your favourite character role in a film?

Protagonist (Hero)    Anti-Hero (Unorthodox Hero)    Antagonist (Villain)

What sort of lighting will you expect in a thriller?

Dark Lighting    Medium Lighting    Light Lighting  

Key findings from my questionnaire presented as graphs to make decisions to include in my final product to ensure I was attracting and addressing my audiences responses: 

Overall, the primary research was important because I could use my own technique to gather direct feedback from the target audience of my choice which is good for my final product as I am receiving necessary information rather than that from an unnecessary audience. This really helped me to attract and address my target audience as my product was created using ideas from the target audience rather than from those I was not trying to target with my synopsis. 

Rough cut of opening to gain feedback to make sure I was addressing the audience: (FOCUS GROUP)

After creating my production, I held a focus group because I wanted to see what the audience felt of my work after watching it. This was good as they would have seen what their opinions mixed with my groups ideas had created. The people that were asked to come and view the production were of a younger age because of the target audience being between 15-30 years. Below I gathered some of the constructive criticism that I received from the audience while they were observing my final product;

Looking back at the feedback I received from the necessary audience for my final product I can say that I have attracted and addressed my target audience through narrative, theme and plot. By doing this I have reached out to my target audience through everything I have mentioned which is potentially what my audience were expecting to see.

Evaluation: Question 2: How does your media product represent particular social groups? - Miss Begum

Social Groups

A social group is a group of individuals with certain characteristics which allow for them to be included in this group. They may share interests and have things in common such as hobbies and lifestyle tastes. An example of a social group may be emo’s as they are seen as isolated and dark group of people who only prefer to be on their own or in a group as portrayed by the media. Another example of a social group is working class as they are grouped together by their financial status, occupation and lifestyle.. There are other social classes such as the ones I have mentioned the list could go on.

Representation

Representation is an important aspect of thrillers as it gives the audience a better understanding and insight on what the characters are meant to look and behave like, including characteristics. My media product has many different representations all mixed together to create a variety of elements. From the psychotic scene of the main antagonist to the more calm scenes in which he is telling his entrepreneur about their next job, they representations of something as the audience can look at this and get a better idea on what may be going on or the themes behind the plot.

Example of classic thriller characters

Anti-Hero - This is a prime anti-hero in the dark knight trilogies as he sees himself as the enforcer of law and justice through his own way. Similar to that of other anti-hero’s such as ‘Rorschach’ from ‘The Watchmen’ he doesn’t entirely hide away from society but still has his own way of making sure that no-one finds out his true identity or the man behind the mask. Living a double life almost. He is also presumably of a wise age around his 30’s or 40’s to maintain youth and experience and stands as a broad figure in his chosen role.

Protagonist - A classic example of a thriller protagonist is Liam Neeson in Taken, as he is chosen to represent majority of characteristics and skills that protagonists hold onto. He is however savage and brutally led by the fact that his prized possession of a daughter has been kidnapped from him leading him down the line of revenge and heroism to get her back. This character is around the age where he is not youthful but slightly aged and mindful of his surroundings and uses this to his advantage.

Antagonist - Often makes sure that their face remains hidden from the audience and the antagonist yet always leaving a hint to allow for tracing.  Just like some other antagonists he is a tactical antagonist and not one of brute strength as some people will want. However the more tactical antagonists are used as they make thrillers more of a thriller and less of an action film which is a great pathway to targeting a wider range in terms of audience and social group as keeping the antagonist and protagonist similar will attract more social groups.

My Character representing Social Groups of an antagonist

The social group I was trying to target were older, mature and experienced males who are wise yet curious to enter the outside world and master their surroundings. By using this specific character I have opened many conventions to what social group he could fit in, and in doing so he may represent the group of males who are silent and use their actions to speak for themselves.

Age: My male character is in his early 30’s and we have chosen for this specific age because we didn’t want him to be too young to be an experienced and wise antagonist or be too old to represent the less physical antagonists who retract from physical confrontations (like The Joker) and instead went for the age where most antagonists are without being too old or too young and instead just in the middle.

Gender: We chose for the character to be male as we felt we wanted to carry on the common convention of a male intimidating male antagonist instead of going for the unconventional intimidating female character as it would lead us down the path of possibly making her an assassin of some sort as portrayed in modern day thriller films whereas male antagonists in modern films are really smart but physically opposing characters with broad figures or even less just the brains.

Ethnicity: My antagonist challenges stereotypes in the sense that black actors in thrillers are probably one of the first to die or help a protagonist with his objective and rarely take the lead in thrillers so it kind of subsides from common conventions here also as by casting a black male as my antagonist I have shown that antagonists cannot always only be of one ethnicity and it can be different.

Physical Appearance: My antagonist is 6’3 and is of a larger broad physique which helps to ensure the audience see this character as a more savage antagonist rather than a more physically vulnerable character with the top brains and expertise at technical difficulties and tactics. Also with the dark clothes it helps as dark clothes instigate dark and psychological themes and move away from the sunny side of things and into the more evil agendas.

My Character representing Social Groups of a Victim

The social group I was trying to target with my victim was younger, vulnerable guys who felt intimidated by others who are much bigger and stronger than them but still have the potential to be as intimidating. Through my male victim I tried to represent the social group of quiet, introvert males who like staying at home and being quiet and by themselves.

Age: My male character is 16 and my group have chosen for him to be this young as he has been cast as a victim to be a potential antagonist. Audiences can look at this and relate it to other films where this has happened like The Dark Knight Rises.

Gender: I chose my character to be a male as it sets aside from the potential romance scene if it was a female instead. Also by making it a male we have created a new convention of male victims becoming what used to victimize them. Turning their nightmare into their dream, a sense of not running away from danger but instead running towards it.

Ethnicity: My victim challenges some stereotypes here as he is of Afro-Caribbean descent and becomes an antagonist through nurture and training. He does however, have essences of London with a casual North-London accent and can easily relate to the victim part of his ethnicity as stereotypical young black and mixed race kids are victims to knife and gun crime so him going from the victim to the antagonist is merely similar.

Physical Appearance: My chosen actor (victim) is 5”11 which is an okay height considering the antagonist is 6”3 so the height difference is still there. He is tall but he is quite small and less broad than the antagonist which supports his role as victim, and he represents the social group of males who can defend themselves but choose not to out of risk and intimidation of others.

Also the dress sense of my character is that of an innocent character and not one that is intimidating or scary, this is good as further helps the notion of my character being a victim even if he wears dark clothing instead of lighter clothing.

My Media product representing your particular social group through themes?

There are dark scenes in my media product which could reach out to social groups of which dark, and gloomy but interesting scenes are something they like or are into. For fans of unusual but expected twists in films then my media product is perfect for them. But the social group my media product reaches out to is young audiences who like seeing others their age go from being the ones who suffer to the one who gets rid of or causes the suffering. Similar to ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ audiences will see this young male character slowly gain his rise to becoming the right hand man and assistant of the lead character just as Sgt John Blake did when he inherited Batman's Bat-cave at the end of the film.

That also shows a sign of care and respect in my product as our antagonist is trusting this young boy with the chance and responsibility to carry on his legacy while also entrusting him with his life work without getting him too involved or destroying his young days. However This cannot be perceived from just the opening scene which will result in our audiences being curious as to what might happen and how it came about to be this young, curious and vulnerable character who shows fear in his eyes yet has the ability to stand up and protect himself which enables him to hide that fear relating to the small minority of society that feel as if there is something holding them back from being successful but they still feel the need to resist that blockade.

My Media product representing your particular social group through narrative

The narrative in my thriller product as I have mentioned in the slide before is of this young boy who is entrusted by an experienced man to take over his position and continue his antagonist legacy through many years of training until he can finally say he is ready to lead the line and be his own antagonist without having to feel as if he is not worthy enough to make it to the top as somebody’s greatest enemy. 

Through nurturing with a bit of nature this reaches out to the social group of young boys with a male father figure in their life as they would one day like to be stated as the man of the house and have more than a little say in what goes on in and about. The narrative relates to this specific social group as even though the antagonist is not the victim’s father he could still be seen as a father figure by his actions and his ambitions for this young boy without having to have that father-son bond. With this narrative my group can go down many paths of common conventions in thriller films where there is a main man with a much younger assistant or young character eager to be involved in his motives and what he gets up to.

Evaluation: Question 3: What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? - Mrs. Quinlan

Question 3 - What kind of media institution might distribute your media product? from emekamoore