Evaluation 1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

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

Below is a 9 frame sequence of the most valid clips which we believe to show conventions of thriller films which has been taken from our own thriller opening sequence.

• Frame 1: Story and How the opening sets it up
• Frame 2: Camera Work and Editing
• Frame 3: The title of the film
• Frame 4: How the characters are introduced
• Frame 5: Lighting
• Frame 6: Setting and Location
• Frame 7: Genre and how the opening suggests it
• Frame 8: Special Effects
• Frame 9: How the suspense is created

Frame 1 - Story and How the opening sets it up:

We wanted to create suspense in the beginning of our thriller opening sequence so that we could grasp the audience's attentions within minutes of the opening scene, so they would be more inclined to watch the film. As a group, we decided to use a high angle shot for the reason that we wanted the main character to be portrayed as being vulnerable and powerless. Additionally, to add to the suspense of our thriller opening sequence, we decided that by using this particular shot in the film it would make the moment more dramatic and eventful. The first shot taken for our film was an establishing shot which involved the director using a slow pan to film the inside of the main characters bedroom, capturing the girl and her use of body language. By using this particular shot, it would give the audience the opportunity to understand the location and the surroundings that the character was in. The main character is showcased falling into a deep sleep, whilst the setting illustrates this in more detail as we decided to use low key lighting and we drew the curtains to create a dark, eerie atmosphere. Additionally, the fact that there is a bed located in the centre of the room helps to acknowledge the fact that it is late at night. Considering the fact that we used low key lighting and a variety of slow panning shots, we were able to create a successful thriller opening sequence as the scenes built up anticipation and fear, as well as encouraging the audience to believe that something unexpected could occur in the subsequent shot.

Frame 2 - Camera Work and Editing:

The second frame in the storyboard provides the audience with valid information concerning the main characters in the film. It becomes noticeable that the female character had clearly been out a couple of hours earlier with a potential boyfriend. The shot depicts this is in a rather informal manner as the information is displayed in a text message which has been sent to the main character. We decided that it would be best if we used an extreme long shot so that the writing displayed in the text would be clear enough for the audience to read. What is more, is that by using low key lighting in this particular shot, all the audiences attention would be focused on the content of the text message, rather than them having to focus their attention on numerous amounts of things happening at one specific time.

Frame 3 - The title of the film:

The third frame in the storyboard illustrates the title of the film 'Premonition,' which appears glistening against the bleak backdrop in a faint white typography. As each scene follows on to the next, the letters fade away from the frame leading into the subsequent shot. One of the main reasons for using a dark background, was because we believed that the simpler the backdrop is the more successful it would be creating a dark, eerie atmosphere which is a must when filming thriller films. By using capital letters throughout the title of the film, it adds boldness to it whilst capturing the audience’s attention, which was our main intention. By including a flickering animation to our text it clearly creates uncertainty and fear, as the audience are unaware as to what events might occur in the following scenes. Additionally, the text was depicted as looking slightly blurry which might be a connotation for the blurriness of the premonition itself. Evidently, this fits the connotation of a successful film opening as most credits are essential as they provide the audience with the names of the distribution companies, actors, producers, set designers, directors and so on. Often, the title of the film will provide the audience with a taster of the narrative in the film without revealing too much of the plot.

Frame 4 - How the characters are introduced:

To introduce the characters to our target audience, we decided that the first shot we would use to depict this would be a reflection shot which illustrates who the main characters are in the film and it helps to establish the relationship between the couple, due to the fact that the audience are provided with a brilliant camera shot that allows them to see how the characters feed off of each others energy, as well as understanding their actions which are portrayed through their body language. This particular frame highlights that there is clearly a loving relationship between the characters, as the male is seen standing behind the female whilst looking straight into her eyes and admiring her beauty, as she is getting ready to head out to a party. Evidently, the formal clothing worn by both characters, the black cocktail dress and suit and shirt show that they were about to go out together for the evening. This frame recognises the conventions of a thriller film as this is the point in the film where the storyline begins to unfold.

Frame 5 - Lighting:

In the fifth frame in the storyboard lighting is a major feature which is used in this particular camera shot. Not only did we use an extreme long shot, we also used high key lighting to illustrate the intimacy between the characters, as this helps the audience to identify that there is strong chemistry between the couple. By using high key lighting in this frame it aims to reduce the lighting ratio presented in the scene. Additionally, it is an overall lighting design which uses both the fill light and backlight to create low contrasts between the brighter and darker areas in the scene. As well as having the high key lighting, it was important to show that there was a darker side to the story, hence the shadow cast across the centre of the couple's hand. By showing this we wanted the audience to realise that not everything is as it seems.

Frame 6 - Setting and Location:

In this frame the scene focuses on the couple's body language, especially the male as his mood slowly begins to change to an intense attitude. Whilst he is standing behind the female holding her tightly in his arms, as well as resting his head upon her neck, he begins to look up and glare into the mirror looking straight at his girlfriend as though he detests/loathes her. Additionally, the reason why we chose to film this particular scene in the bathroom was because it seemed like the most realistic setting where someone would begin to get ready and do their make up before heading out for the evening. Moreover, the audience might assume that something horrible and disturbing might occur in the next few minutes; as the eerie soundtrack, use of high and low key lighting and the realistic setting demonstrates that an unexpected event could occur between the characters at any moment in time. Perhaps the characters being located in the bathroom might be the perfect situation to carry out an alarming act of violence.

Frame 7 - Genre and how the opening suggests it:

The seventh frame in the storyboard clearly demonstrates that the genre of the film is a thriller for the reason that within minutes of the opening sequence, the male character grabs hold of the female, slamming her body against the bathroom door as he attempts to suffocate and kill her in her premonition which she has whilst she is asleep. This frame clearly conveys a successful film opening as the scenes create a series of questions which begin to run through the audience's mind, for instance what event might occur next? Why does the male want to murder his own girlfriend? Is the premonition about to become a reality? By allowing the audience to question what situations might occur in the subsequent shots this achieves the films goal as it begins to build up suspense and drama through the storyline in the film.

Frame 8 - Special Effects:

This frame illustrates the use of special effects that we tried to create in our thriller opening sequence. This particular scene in the film illustrates the moment when the female character began to stir and gently open and closes her eyes. By using final cut express, we were given the opportunity to use a variety of effects such as cross cutting, which is where we used an extreme long shot of the female’s eye and slowly moved the camera closer towards the female’s pupil. Afterwards, we used a transition known as fade in fade out which focused on a point of view shot of the female glancing up towards the ceiling in her bedroom blinking every now and again. We decided to make the ceiling images blurry due to the fact that it made the sequence look far more realistic. Additionally, by making the ceiling images blurry it allowed the audience to realise that the blurriness came from the female attempting to open her eyes as she began to come round from a deep sleep. The transition was exceedingly successful as we wanted it to be portrayed somewhat realistic, rather than it looking too cliché.

Frame 9 - How the suspense is created:

The final frame in the storyboard depicts a close up of the female character suddenly opening her eyes, staring straight into the camera as she wakes up from her premonition. This particular shot demonstrates how terrified the female is due to the scenario she has just witnessed. This frame is an excellent representation of how the final shot in a film opening should be conveyed as it definitely creates a cliff-hanger, allowing the audience to question what events could occur throughout the remainder of the film. This way it draws the audience's attention to the film and encourages them to continue watching it in order to see the outcome. The camera shot is remarkably peculiar and sinister as the female stares straight into the centre of the camera which undoubtedly builds up trepidation and fear before suddenly transitioning into a black out. In the final shot of the opening sequence, the scene creates a vast amount of suspense and apprehension which is a must when creating successful thriller films. Hopefully, we conveyed this in our own opening sequence in the correct way.

Here are 9 key frames taken from other thriller films which we have used as inspiration for our own

'Thriller opening sequence.'

Frame 1: The Title of the film
Frame 2: How the characters are introduced
Frame 3: Location and Setting
Frame 4: Camera Work
Frame 5: Understanding the characters
Frame 6: Special Effects
Frame 7: Genre and how the opening suggests it
Frame 8: Lighting
Frame 9: How the suspense is created

Frame 1 - The title of the film:

The first frame in the storyboard depicts the title of the film, Premonition. This is an essential feature to appear in the first few minutes of a movie as it introduces the name of the film and provides the audience with a taster of the narrative in the film without revealing too much of the plot. By using a bleak backdrop, the more successful the film becomes as you are using a simpler design and it begins to build up intensity, creating a dark, eerie atmosphere which is a must when filming thriller films. Considering that they used bold, capital letters throughout the title of the film, it clearly adds boldness to it making the lettering stand out to the audience, capturing their attention. I believe that by displaying the title of the film on a darkened background, this has definitely made it a successful title sequence as the audience can focus all their attention on the heading rather than being distracted by the scenes which could have been projected behind the text. 

Frame 2 - How the characters are introduced:

The second frame in the storyboard is both a close up and a reflection shot of the main characters in the film. By using these particular shots, it helps us to notify who the characters are in the film and it helps the audience to establish the relationship between the couple, due to the fact that the audience are provided with exceptionally good camera shots that allow them to understand the characters actions which are portrayed through their body language. The characters are clearly happy and affectionate with one another as the male is seen standing behind his wife whilst looking straight into her eyes as well as resting his head in the crook of her neck. Their facial expressions both depict happiness as they stare straight into each others eyes in a tender loving mood. This frame recognises the conventions of a thriller film as this is the point in the film where the story line begins to unfold.

Frame 3 - Location and Setting:

This frame is an establishing shot of the location of where the scenes were filmed in. Evidently, the location of the film was filmed in a beautiful, idyllic part of the suburbs. The camera shot illustrates an exceedingly large house which is located in a very friendly, warm neighbourhood. The setting looks exceptionally peaceful and a great place for children to live and be raised in, considering the enormous front garden where children could run around playing football with one another. Additionally, the reason why the set designers chose to film this particular scene in the suburbs was because it seemed like the most realistic setting where a couple could settle down and start a family together. Moreover, this shot provides the audience with a rough picture of what the location is like so that the audiences feel more connected to the film. 


Frame 4 - Camera Work:

This frame is a very important over the shoulder shot as it illustrates that a very significant event has occurred. Most likely something upsetting and distressing as the female character looks scared and devastated as she holds her hand up against her chest. Due to the camera focusing primarily on the female, the shot begins to create a series of questions which begin to run through the audiences mind, for example what has happened. Why is the female looking devastated and hurt? Has she received devastating news? By allowing the audience to question what situations might occur in the following scenes this achieves the films goal as it begins to build up intensity and drama through the story line in the film. 


Frame 5 - Understanding the characters:

The fifth frame in the storyboard provides the audience with sufficient information so that they begin to understand the characters personality and their family background. In this particular frame, it is noticeable that the main character is extending her arm forward towards the two lunch boxes. By using an extreme close up, the scene gives emphasis to the props used in the film as they highlight that the main character must be a mother of two young children and her life simply resolves around her kids as she is seen being very considerate and thoughtful as she reminds her children to take their lunch boxes to school before escorting them in that direction.  


Frame 6 - Special Effects:

This particular camera shot uses a brilliant amount of special effects which has been used purposely to demonstrate that the scene in the film is a flashback to when the couple were getting married in a previous stage in their life. The brightness and colour scale has been altered with to create an uplifting, joyful moment which the character is sadly going through a terrible tragedy with her family. By using special effects in this segment of the film, it has made the scene exceptionally successful as the audience are aware of the fact that they are being supplied with information regarding a memory from the females past, that is, a flashback. The clothing that both characters are dressed in help the audience to understand that this is a major focal point in the couple's timeline together, that is, their wedding day. As the female is dressed in an elegant white wedding dress and veil whilst the male is dressed smartly in a tuxedo. 

Frame 7 - Genre and how the opening suggests it:

The seventh frame in the storyboard demonstrates that the genre of the film is a thriller for the reason that halfway through the film, the male character suddenly appears standing behind his wife before grabbing hold of her and covering her mouth with a plastic bag, attempting to suffocate and kill her. Moments later he is seen throwing his wife across their bedroom, slamming her body against the bedroom walls, cupboards and upon broken glass. This is another scene in the film that conveys a successful thriller opening as the scene creates a series of questions which begin to run through the audiences mind, for instance why does the husband want to murder his wife? What has she done wrong? What event might occur next? By allowing the audience to question what events could occur in the following scenes it begins to build up suspense and trepidation through the narrative in the film. 

Frame 8 - Lighting:

In the eighth frame of the storyboard, lighting is a major feature that is used in this particular shot. Not only did the directors use an extreme close up, they also decided to use low key lighting to convey suspense and trepidation, which is clearly presented throughout the majority of the frame. The camera focuses primarily on the characters eye as he begins to stare upwards towards the ceiling. However, the more you concentrate on the frame, it becomes noticeable that the character is clearly uncomfortable in the situation he has been placed in, as he looks as though he would much rather look at something more pleasing compared to the scenario that he is actually having to stare at. Low key lighting accentuates the outline of an object by covering areas of it into shade while a fill light or reflector begins to shed light on the shadow areas to create a contrast. Low key lighting is usually used to intensify the sense of alienation  which may often be felt by the viewer, hence why it is often used in both horror and thriller films. By using low-key lighting in this frame, we wanted the audience to realize that not everything is as it seems. 

Frame 9 - How the suspense is created:

The final frame in the storyboard illustrates a close up of the female character opening her eyes as she stares down looking towards the floor, as she though she may have just awoken from having her premonition. This particular shot demonstrates how upset and troubled she is due to the event she has just witnessed. This frame is an excellent representation of how scenes which build up suspense create cliff-hangers, as well as a series of questions, allowing the audience to question what events could occur throughout the remainder of the film. This way it draws the audience's attention to the film and encourages them to continue watching it in order to see the outcome. The camera shot is definitely distressing and perturbing as the female begins to comfort herself by clutching her pillow close to her body as she continues to look away from the camera glancing towards the floor.