Evaluation - Question 1 [Part 1]

Q1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

9 frames from thriller openings I’ve researched:

Se7en

Shot 1 - Is an extreme close-up shot which shows and explores thriller conventions. This is a shot of words being crossed out in a newspaper article. This shot explores thriller conventions as it shows a sense of suspense and expectancy. This shot is often used in thriller films to make the audience curious and also anxious about why the person could by crossing out the words. The words being crossed out by a thick black pen explores the thriller conventions because it explores a sense of apprehension and drama.

Shot 2 - This is a close up which explores thriller conventions because the black, dark background makes the shot seem dark and tense. The titles used seem child-like, and the use of child-like writing explores a sense of anxiety. Also, the child-like writing being shown with the picture of the child may leave the audience tense and curious. The image of the child with their eyes crossed out explores thriller conventions because it shows a sense of drama, as the person’s eyes being hidden show hidden identity.

Shot 3 - This shot is a close up which shows an image of a sharp instrument in the back of a dead person’s shaved head. This shot uses thriller conventions to attract the audience’s attention and the image is also dark along with shadows which explore the thriller convention of anxiety and tension.

When a Stranger Calls

Shot 4 - This long shot shows a lake and house; also this shot is dark and consists of a lot of shadows. This shot uses thriller conventions because it provides the audience with anxiety and apprehension of what may happen. The shot is a long-shot which is also an establishing shot for the audience.

Shot 5 - This shot shows a long shot of a woman walking down a dark corridor. This shot challenges thriller conventions because the darkness of the shot expresses the drama in the clip of the film. The woman walking down the dark corridor in the house alone uses the thriller conventions because it shows suspense.

Shot 6 - This shot  is a close up which shows a woman on the phone talking to the stalker, the use of the shadows surrounding her make the shot look dark and intimidating and express her vulnerability. This shot expresses the woman’s emotions from her facial expressions.

The Crazies

Shot 7 - This shot shows a mid-shot of a man pointing a gun at someone. This shot explores the crime side of thriller conventions; also this shot gives the audience an opportunity to see the man’s facial expressions. This shot uses thriller conventions such as tension and anxiety to make the audience anxious.

Shot 8 - The shot shows a dark, shadowy, mysterious corridor. The use of this shot meets thriller conventions for the audience, as it will leave the audience tense and unease and anxious about what is going to happen. 

Shot 9 - This shot shows a girl standing in front of a big machine. The use of the dark surroundings makes the girl seem vulnerable, along with the size of the machine, she seems very timid and small. The use of this shot explores thriller conventions because it will make the audience wonder what is going to happen to the girl or what the machine is, and leave the audience feeling anxious.