This document is an evaluation of a student's media studies coursework creating a thriller film opening called "Tracker". The student summarizes how their opening challenges conventions of the action thriller genre by not including violence or elaborate sets. They also analyze how their opening uses conventions seen in other thrillers like James Bond and Get Carter through elements like camerawork, editing, sound, mise-en-scene, and title design. The student reflects on what they have learned through the process, including gaining skills with technologies like cameras, editing software, and sound design. They also discuss improvements made from earlier tasks to the final opening, and areas they still want to develop like editing and organization.

1. AS Media Studies
Coursework Evaluation

2. ‘Tracker’ challenges the conventions of real media products, in
particular the action thriller genre, this is because usually within this
sub-genre vast amounts of violence, chases and large elaborate
sets are used in order to engage the target audience efficiently. On
the other hand ‘Tracker’ contains no violence or elaborate
setting, just hints to the audience at what to expect later on in the
film.
A screen grab from James Bond- we
based our protagonist on the
character. But did not have the
resources to create something so
high tech.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

3. Our opening is of the action- thriller sub-genre because of how we
used camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene. Furthermore, a
variety of shots are used but predominantly close-ups and mid
shots to help the audience engage with the characters (final class
evaluation 0:30 on opening clip), editing is mainly slow to build
tension as seen in most thriller hybrids and the sound is
slow, building suspense- this could be seen as challenging the
action thriller convention as within the opening of James Bond
Casino Royale (2006 Martin Campbell) the music is fast paced.
Finally the mise en scene is typical of an action-thriller, as dark
simplistic clothing is used, alongside briefcases and a busy setting
(final class evaluation 1:19 on opening clip).
In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

4. In addition to this, the use of conventions indicates the other thrillers
that influenced our work. An example of this would be Get Carter
(1971 Mike Hodges): the opening includes a train setting which I
thought was fairly original, furthermore the protagonist is dressed in
a smart, business-like suit, the opening credits have a black
background with simplistic white font, sound used within the Get
Carter opening differs from Tracker as it is quite upbeat and finally
editing is slow paced- once again relating to our thriller.
A screen grab from Get
Carter showing how the use
of font influenced our
opening.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or
challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

5. For our opening we decided to use young actors (aged 17) this is
because our target audience is 15-26. Furthermore, by using
younger actors we can reach our audience more efficiently and
enable the audience to connect and relate to the protagonists.
Our protagonist, Sehb.
How does your media product represent particular social
groups?

6. In addition to this, we both challenged stereotypes and used ones that
are typical of the thriller genre. Within our animatic and first ideas we
were going to use three villains (white, middle class) and one
white, again middle class protagonist. However, when one of our actors
dropped out we had to find a new lead, Sehbjot Hundal as Sehb is of
Asian ethnicity he is subverting stereotypes- that leads in action
thrillers are mainly Caucasian e.g. The Bourne Identity(2002 Doug
Liman). Furthermore, we developed other stereotypes- in particular
gender. As both of our actors are male we used a typical factor of an
action-thriller which is male dominance. By researching thriller
openings we found that throughout the genre males are re-presented
as being the dominant gender and even with actresses, males are
given more on-screen time and are centralised (James Bond 2006
Martin Campbell).
Storyboard (3 villains)
How does your media product represent particular social
groups?

7. I believe that if our media product was to be distributed it would be
by Sony or another large Hollywood institution. This is
because, Sony have distributed some of the biggest action-thrillers
around, for example James Bond Casino Royale (Martin Campbell
2006) with a smart lead protagonist and villains that are always
being outsmarted. In addition to this, our thriller could be globalised
and digitalised in order to reach a wider audience through
merchandise, the internet and possible video games.
Screen grab- Casino Royale
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and
why?

8. Furthermore, the visual style of our thriller is similar to the Bond
series as it includes similar iconic symbolism- briefcase (Final piece
class evaluation 0:27 on the clip) smart business-like dress (See
final piece clip),and the villain is introduced in a shady environment
(0:44) however, unlike the Bond series our opening is fairly
simplistic and the text does not distract the audience from on-
screen action.
The text does not
distract the
audience.
What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and
why?

9. As a group we decided that the target audience for our media
product would be age 15-26. This is because; we researched film
classifications on the BBFC website and found that- in context to
our action thriller genre that there ‘may be frequent use of strong
language but frequent use of the strongest and most offensive
language Is unlikely to be accepted’, that ‘violence may be strong
but may not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury’ and finally that
‘strong threat and menace are permitted’. After deciding on our
target audience we created a questionnaire and gave it to people
aged 15+ and we discovered what would interest them within a
thriller and keep them engaged.
Who would be the audience for your media product?

10. In addition to this, by rating our thriller a 15 we would be able to
make our plot have more twists- engaging the audience further and
keeping them interested also, if we chose to make ‘Tracker’ a 12 or
12a we may not be able to do this as a younger audience may get
confused or be offended by some of our material.
Our Questionnaire
Who would be the audience for your media product?

11. A Similar film would be ‘The Thomas Crown affair’ (1999 Directed by
John Mc Tiernan) rated R18- due to sexuality and language. We
heavily based our opening on the ‘Thomas Crown Affair’ because of
how the protagonist (Pierce Brosnan) acts and carries himself-
confidence and also because of the plot which includes stealing
artwork and being tracked by Catherine Banning- an agent, you can
see the similarities further within our animatic as we originally chose
to use the song ‘Sinnerman’ by Nina Simone which is used in the
‘returning the painting scene’. (See Thriller Opening Planning on my
blog- Sunday December 14th 2008)
Thomas Crown
Affair screen grab
Who would be the audience for your media product?

12. Seeing as our audience profile is aged predominantly 15-26 the
parts within the thriller that would appeal most to them would be the
climax (final evaluation 1:42 onwards) as it contains the most
excitement. However, to anyone younger certain aspects of the
dialogue may be offensive. Furthermore, I believe that where
gender is concerned our thriller would appeal the most to males as
our opening contains no female roles, and by doing this some
females may be uninterested as they cannot properly connect with
the characters on screen.
How would you attract and address your audience?

13. In addition, other aspects of our opening for example camera work-
close-ups and point of view shots (final piece class evaluation)
allow the audience to put themselves in the position of our
protagonist and strengthen the connection between character and
audience. This also links back to the generic conventions of
suspense by holding the shots and creating more tension also by
using point of view shots the audience are given a stronger sense
of tension as they feel they are included within the opening (1:35
final evaluation). Moreover, the mise-en-scene is smart and
sophisticated (suits) and use of sound matches on-screen
action, once again aiding audience attraction.
How would you attract and address your audience?

14. We created a Facebook page to see if we had effectively addressed
our target audience, here are some examples of the feedback we
received-
By looking at the
feedback, I believe
we have correctly
attracted our target
audience.
How would you attract and address your audience?

15. Within the construction of our thriller opening I was introduced to a new range of
technology that I was not familiar with- HD camera, Premier Pro, After Effects and
applying sound to on-screen action. Furthermore, the aspect of technology that I
enjoyed using the most was the HD camera, this is because I feel fairly confident
within the way that the camera tells a story and enjoyed the learning process that
came with it, if you were to compare the camera work within the final continuity task
to the final piece you would see a vast improvement. I hope that I can further my
skills in A2 and learn how to use the camera more confidently in public settings and
under pressure. However, within the filming process the group encountered a
number of problems, for example footage being lost and lack of organisation. On the
other hand these factors gave me real insight to the professional media industry and
the pressures that people face, also through losing footage it made us, as a group
more careful in the future.
Furthermore, I found using the editing software (Premier Pro) the most difficult to use
at the start of the year, through practise I gained some skills but editing is something
I can still vastly improve on, alongside use of sound and applying it to
action, creating suspense.
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of
constructing this product?

16. From the preliminary task, I believe I have learnt a great deal about
how thrillers are constructed to create tension, suspense and reach
their target audience in an effective manner (Thriller
Research, Tuesday 4th November 2008). In addition, through also
analysing thriller openings I gained a further insight into how
camera, editing, sound and mise-en-scene makes the opening
engaging (e.g. third analysis Daredevil 4th November 2008) and
helped the group create our opening, ‘Tracker’.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression of it to the full product?

17. Moreover, I have gained confidence in my own judgement, use of
technology and skills. Through practise I gained skills with certain
technologies e.g. camera but still feel that I could improve more
within editing and Sound Booth. Above all I feel that this task has
been fulfilling within my development as an A Level media
student, by taking into account the peer assessments, teacher
assessment and self assessment I know exactly how to improve
and what I am good at (Final Piece Class Evaluation 21st April).
Next year I will try to be more confident within voicing my opinions
and gain skills in Premier Pro and Sound Booth alongside making
sure there is more organisation within the project.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression of it to the final product?

18. Also, from the continuity task (continuity task evaluation 18th
November 2008) to the Final product, as a group we have vastly
improved within editing, camera, sound and mise-en-scene. In
particular, I believe camera work and use of mise-en-scene- how it
can draw the audience in and give them an idea of how the
character is going to behave. Within the continuity task the use of
lighting is poor, resulting in our decision to base our opening
outside, in a high street (use of natural lighting) this greatly aided
us. But, use of point of view shots was something we used
effectively in the continuity task, so consequently we decided to
include them within our opening also. Continuity Tasks, in general
were something I found extremely useful as they give you an idea of
your stronger and weaker points- what to improve on and what you
are good at, next year as an individual I will find them extremely
helpful within my personal development.
Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have
learnt in the progression of it to the final product?