Investigate Real Media Products

The start of my coursework. I have now been told I will be starting to create and film my own film opening as my media studies coursework. Before I can begin it is important for me to understand the conventions of my chosen genre fully, so that I can use and develop these conventions in my own opening. To do that I have been asked to get screen shot examples of films in my chosen film genre and identify the conventions explored in each. My chosen genre was Thriller. I have included my screen shots below.

Dexter (TV Series)

-Male antagonist – men have the control and are the more violent gender. The tend to be the killers in thriller films.

-CU’s of props, such as rope, knife etc – suggest the idea of violence and murder playing a big part in the plot.

-Normal everyday clothes – idea of killer blending in with everyone else and not standing out. Making them seem like normal people.

American Psycho

•Male characters are very fit and healthy – showing power and strength over the situations.

•Male antagonist character – power, idea of being violent and brutal.

•Attractive male character – men attracted with the idea of wanting to be like him – females attracted by good looking appearance. 

Scream

•Female “victim” – women are made to seem vulnerable and innocent – they are the damsel in distresses, that always need looking after and protecting

•Male antagonist – they have the power and control, seem as more dominant – stronger and more authoritarian

•Female wearing light, pale feminine clothes – shows her purity and innocence. Makes her seem more vulnerable.

The Prestige

•Simple font for the title – contrasts the complexity of the narrative story

•Low-key lighting – idea of secrecy and the situation being wrong or violent.

•Dark locations – graveyard – linked to death and violence – clues to the narrative of most thrillers. 

Reservoir Dogs

-Smart clothing – idea of power, importance and wealth of the male characters.

-Blocking shows males in a group circle – idea of a team, working together. – higher sense of importance and power.

-Discriminating view of female characters – shows males to be the more dominant character – makes females seem inferior, less important.

 Die Hard

•Male protagonists – males are made to seem like the protectors and heroes of thrillers. – they have a sense of strength.

•Guns – idea of violence and death – linked to many thrillers

•Dirty clothing – idea of action, careless attitude of males over their appearance. Lack of time, showing the action and pace of the film.

Bourne Identity

•Male protagonist – protector, idea of strength and power – males are usually linked to danger.

•Shot of male character in dangerous situation – idea of male being brave and fearless – able to tackle anything without being afraid.

•Normal clothes – helps them blend in and not stand out in a crowd – idea of hidden identity, important in many thrillers

Eagle Eye

•Male character is made to seem like the protector – female made to look vulnerable and in need of looking after. Showing the power and strength of males and the innocence and weakness of female characters.

•Smart clothing – idea of power, importance and authority – showing the power males have in these situations.

•Blocking – male character behind the female in a protective stance – ready to come to females defence if needed. Shows women to always be in need of protecting and sheltering from harm.

The Usual Suspects

        •CU of flame being lit – idea of violence and fire – linked to death and crime

       •Male antagonists – males have power and control and a more violent personality

       •Low-key lighting – sense of wrongness and secrecy surrounding the antagonists.