Aicha Ouattara Thriller Blog

As part of my Media Coursework I had to create a opening sequence for a Thriller Film. The sequence had to be approximately two minutes long and aimed at a 15 or 18 certificate audience. In order to under-go this task I had to create a blog that highlighted the process (production and construction) of creating the film as well as general research about Thrillers.

My Thriller Film is about The victim has been captured by the villain due to significant events that have occurred between the two in the past. Unaware of why they have been captured, the victim attempts to run away from the villain. However, there are a range of obstacles in the way. A range of text messages, e-mails, letters and code have been set for the victim that needs to be revealed in order for them break free.

1) In What Ways Does Your Media Product Use, Develop Or Challenge Forms And conventions of Real Media Products?
In creating my Thriller one of my aims was to ensure that my ideas reflected real Thrillers. In order to achieve this I researched Thriller Conventions. The Thriller Conventions simply outlined/highlighted the common elements that create and allow a Thriller to be what it is. There are twelve conventions in total and my film attempts to cover one of them.
In addition, I also researched and analysed the work of famous Thriller film director and producer Alfred Hitchcock. In doing so I watched two of his films Psycho and Family Plot and recognised in great use of film language. This inspired me to incorporate some of his work into my film. For example Hitchcock’s work was based upon suspense and psychological genres. My Thriller is similar to this due to the fact that both the camerawork and music appears to be sinister.
On the same note, my research of ‘Different Types of Thrillers’ and ‘What A Thriller Is?’ allowed me to develop my knowledge and understanding of this media product. The different types of Thrillers enable me to establish the types of thriller target audiences preferred. Which was important for the making of my film.

2) How Does Your Media Product Represent Particular Media Groups? and 3) Who Would Be The Audience For Media Product?
Due to the fact that my Thriller is aimed at certificate 15 or 18 it is therefore essential to have a target audience of the same age (teenagers and young adults). I have created a female character of the same age group within the sequence. The character is portrayed as a young, vulnerable and defenceless girl who is commonly exposed to danger. Such techniques allow the audience to relate to the character more.

3) What Kind Of Media Institution Might Distribute Your Media Product And Why?
Media institutions have developed over the years and therefore means of distribution has also changed. After reviewing the results of the questionnaire I came to a conclusion possible media institutions that may distribute my product would be Cinema’s, D.V.D’s and Blue-Ray. One reason why I would allow these institutions to distribute my film would because cinemas have better quality of picture and sound when viewed on the big screen. The same would apply to legal D.V.D’s and Blue-Ray copies. If the quality of film is good it will encourage individuals to watch the film and enjoy the use of special effects. The second reason is because cinema tickets sales, D.V.D and Blue-Ray profits partly go to the movie which will increase its ratings.
Viral marketing could be another means of distribution because it encourages more individuals to pass on the message about the film; via internet, word-of-mouth or e-mail.

5) How Did You Attract/Address Your Audience?
In order to attract, entice and engage my audience I was able to use a range of transitions, sound and video effects to create my Thriller. I was able to divide/split the shots within the sequence in order to keep the audience wondering what is going to happen next. I achieved this by placing a title sequence between a two shots or a split shot and inserting a transition between the two. My choice of music was sinister because it was fairly quite at the beginning and gradually increased in volume. It also matched the visual images on the screen. I also added video effects in certain parts of the sequence in order to create different outcomes as well this I allowed the audience to view the action from different perspectives through the use of camerawork (over the shoulder and point of views). Although these features enabled me to address the audience, they were also the new things I learnt through the production of the film.

6) What Have You Learnt About Technologies From The Process Of Constructing This Product?
In addition to the above I also learnt the use of sound in order to create a greater effect for the audience. For example, the sound used from Moby Gratis allowed me to understand the use of non-copyright music that gives the film a more professional feel or appearance. on the other hand, the screaming diegetic sounds created by the character engages the audience to watch the film.

7) Looking Back At Preliminary Task, What Do You Feel You Have Learnt In The Progression From It To The Product?
From the preliminary task to the construction process of my film I gained a deeper knowledge and understanding of how the technologies worked. By this I mean that I learnt how to eliminate sudden jumps between shots by replacing them with transitions (cross dissolves and fades).I was able to select and adapt both the sound and video effects in order to reflect the genre of film. On the same not I was able extract sound created within the film world and replace it with appropriate music in order to move the narrative along.