Real Texts Conventions

In what ways have your productions used or developed conventions adopted from real media products?

I used regular thriller conventions in the sense that I developed the use of sound effects in order to create suspense and atmosphere; playing upon ideas of films that inspired me - such as the innocence in 'Orphan' and how there was a lot more that what meets the eye; recreated in my opening.  The contrast between fast and slow paced editing created an atmosphere, building suspense and tension - that intense close up shots of the character's face created an intense mise-en-scene. I found it interesting to change the regular media conventions such as stereotypical, low key lighting - using high key -almost white, 'clinical' bright lighting which foreshadowed the plot of Room Mate.  The Cohen Brother's 'Fargo' also questions the stereotypical thriller genre, setting the locations in snow- again bright high key lighting.  My film opening isn't clear, it isn't obvious in the way it depicts the genre or gives away too much. I find that this way the audience is more intrigued and it still subtly foreshadows what is to come.  

Research and Planning

How did the research into genre contribute to your production work? 

To fully present my thriller genre I had to research on the effective genre conventions such as creating an effective plot and editing/ filming in the production stages.  I watched thriller films - such as 'The Last House on the Left' which indirectly influenced my film - in the sense of the character's isolation.  My media product was different - I didn't want to create the stereotypical film opening - where nowadays the whole plot is killed by some masked fool in a murder rampage. Slowly, yet effectively I was able to depict the thriller genre through the tension building with music etc.  Watching films, reading about them online and watching other AS students work was helpful for me to create the genre to my full potential - with common thriller genre conventions and themes such as eerie music/ sound effects and editing (slow) to build suspense and tension.  I made sure that the whole story plot wasn't given away considering it is just a film opening - to leave the audience asking further questions as to what is going on.  I contradicted the typical thriller conventions of the dark/ dull and gloomy scene with the white - almost clinical and bright use of colour and high key lighting.  This was however still effective and created suspense/ tension portraying the thriller genre effectively. 

Creativity

What features of your work would you say are original to you? 

Being able to fully define what is deemed as being an 'original' media product is different - and depends upon people's personal tastes.  I attempted to experiment with the Thriller genre depicting it with my opening - I wanted it to be unique and different.  For example I chose very simple locations/ settings - with what seems to be basic shots - yet entice the audience as to the possibilities of what is actually happening.  I used a variety of creative shots - different close-ups and varied editing such as slow paced - yet the increasing in the pace as tension builds emphasised the thriller aspects.  I contrasted between the sound effects and silence to create an atmosphere - stopping in abruptly; I also did this with the moving images.  Metaphorically the content was similar in the two (different) shots - where the bath scene is also similar to the lake - for obvious reasons.  I believe that I was creative , provoking interest with a simple yet enticing mise-en-scene and locations and the contrasts of sound, silence and alternating footage. 

Post-production

How much of your text was 'created' only in post-production? 

After planning out my initial idea; I created a suitable story-board and script for the production of my film.  Firstly I was aware of my initial genre and the plot that I was going with - which was thriller and the portrayal of my character Alice - as she is induced in a frightening mental state, reminiscing, imagining the 'stranger'.  I had intended to place my character in the bath to begin with, and suggest that she would have 'flashbacks'.  These were originally in the script - the phone ringing was also intended.  The editing itself and the way I repeated and prolonged the flashbacks was down to experimentation in the post-production's editing process.  My text however mainly was consistent through out as I could strongly visualize the outcome and different shots.  

Digital Technology

How has digital technology helped you to capture your ideas for media production?

Digital technology enabled me to expand my horizons to be able to produce my final media product efficiently using a variety of software and products.  For the filming I used a Canon Camcorder that helped me document audience research as well as of course - filming for my final opening.  Different modes/ user settings on the camera allow experimentation with a variety of shots and focus modes to enhance the way that the mise-en-scene can be formed; through the simplest of buttons - such as the 'zoom' pan.  Using a variety of editing software was challenging yet allowed me to be creative as I was taught how to use Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premiere Pro.  Software like this enabled me to create initial ideas such as a sketch on Photoshop - easily formatted or even erased with a click of a button.  There is a variety of editing options that can be used to enhance or manipulate the image - such as my initial 'iris' image for my production company, Phantasm Films.  I was then able to create the moving animated ident in After Effects which effectively captured my ideas.  In terms of Media Production - digital technology is miraculous - Premiere Pro enabled me  to edit my final cut in as many ways possible; being able to insert my ident imported from After Effects and use effects such as 'Cross-fading' to add effect between scenes.  Even digital technology enabled the documentation of my products such as through this blog - I was able to create and update a portfolio online where I could blog with ease uploading multi-media products such as photographs, GIF animations, videos, links and sound.  Digital technology has therefore enhanced my ability to progress in terms of creating my final opening sequence with a variety of tools and the documentation process of the coursework in itself.  These are therefore many benefits however digital technology has it's disadvantages such as piracy - products can be easily leaked online and downloaded for free illegally; such as illegal music download or film that has lead to a loss in the industry for the owners of these products.  It may be also that technology may not be reliable at the best of times - such as when a computer crashes or work is not saved.  Some artists may also like to use older technology forms such as film; which may enhance an older film effect, staying classic contrasting to big budget CGI technology releases in 3D.