Evaluation :)

In our media product, we used, developed, and challenged several of the Thriller conventions. First off, we used a crime at the core of the narrative. This was the murder of our dead girl and it was all centered around the past and revenge. We also used a complex narrative structure. We see quick shots of the after-murder stage and we don't quite get why the girl was murdered, which adds a bit to suspense. Therefore this is typical Thriller material. We challenged the next convention which is establishing enigmas which are expected by the audience to be resolved. We don't know why the dead girl was murdered, and we don't know why she wanted revenge, therefore it is different from a typical thriller film. We also challenged the fact that the protagonist should get in trouble with the antagonist. We didn't really have an protagonist because in their own little way they are both evil and seeking revenge. Therefore, I believe we have developed on the thriller genre as there wasn't a protagonist. As well as this we have used themes of mirroring. Basically we have used this in our thriller as both antagonists are as bad as each other. They are both out to kill each other and they kind of reflect on each other as friends. In terms of themes of identity, we kind of see that our murderer is a murderer when we see the flash backs of her stealing the necklace from the other girls dead body, and running off. On the other hand we don't actually see her murder the girl, so therefore we might not be able to see she is a murderer. We have also used the fact of both girls having a flaw. Their flaw would be jealousy, which in some way is exploited by murder, and revenge. Obviously, because we don't have a protagonist, the mise-en-scene does mirror/reflect the antagonists plight. It does this by the location of the church, and the darkness of the clothes the murderer is wearing. The black reflects on the murder she has commited and the church also does this.

For our media product, our audience would be women and men, aged from 15-40. The type of people in which would go to see this would be interested in latest thrillers, people who have seen similar films before, for example, The Ring, where a dead girl comes out of the TV to get revenge on anybody who finds her. We attracted/addressed our audience by using the similar idea of the dead girl seeking her revenge, and using fast and jumpy cuts to make them jump. We also showed Grace turning round slowly which created suspense waiting for something to happen. This would attract the audience because they would be on the edge of their seat waiting for something to happen and the typical thriller audience loves that kind of stuff.

I have learnt quite a lot about technology from constructing this product. I have learnt how to use the camera steadily and smoothly to make our film look better. In terms of the editing side, I have learnt how to use iMovie (previous version) and how to import certain scenes from the camera. I have also learnt how to cut and shorten my clips and learnt much about the use of transitions and effects. I found using the technology was very simple as I have had past experience with camera work and using editing software.


A scene from our preliminary task 'Happy Homework'.


Looking back at our preliminary task, we have learnt from our mistakes in terms of continuity. In our preliminary task, during a conversation about me needing the homework, on the next scene the camera has moved and we have changed position. If it wasn't for completing the preliminary task we wouldn't have realised this mistake and our Thriller could have been worse off. We also used pretty childish transitions in the preliminary task for example the circle in and the music we created our self (inspired by star wars and Tara!) The 180 degree rule was also not completed to a satisfactory standard therefore we gained some perspective on how to improve it.

Our media product represents young girls and conflict between them, and how easily it can get out of hand, and can turn fatal. This is a bit stereotypical as girls are considered to have fights and conflict, yet be very close friends. Our thriller shows young girls to be over-reactive, holding grudges, and close friendships (in the past). Women are more prone than men, to believe that deceit is being planned behind their back, even when these accusations are false.

I think a small media institution would distribute our media product as it was not planned to be a big hollywood buster! Also I like to believe that it is not like a typical Thriller to be shown in the cinema, therefore it could be a film to be shown on the internet, which could save a lot of money for budget as advertisement would not be a great issue. I think the audience it would attract for viewing would be smallish. It's not quite like Psycho, but it will keep the audience on the edge of their seats!!

In conclusion, we are happy with our finished media product and we have learnt a vast amount about editing, camerawork, and different shots and angles. We have gained perpective for the coursework we have to do next year, and with work comes bigger, stronger, and better ideas.

Posted below is our final Thriller cut. I hope you like it.

This is R3v3ng3.