Our group created a 2-minute psychological thriller media product. We researched codes and conventions of the thriller genre including elements of suspense, tension, and excitement. Our product featured conventions such as low lighting, claustrophobic locations, and jump cuts. Through the process, we learned new filming, editing, and sound design skills. Audience feedback indicated that the product was confusing yet effective at building tension as intended for the psychological thriller genre.

1. Codes and Thriller genre
Conventions
Media Institutions
Social groups
Audience for the
Addressing media product
the audience
Progression from
Learning the preliminary
new
technologies By Sam Hulme task
Candidate Number:7083
Centre Number: 30215

2. Introduction
A Thriller genre is defined as a genre consisting
elements of suspension, tension and excitement to
build a climax atmosphere
Our group was assigned to construct a media product
that consists of codes and conventions from the
media genre for a maximum of 2 minutes.
During the project it consisted of the following:
 Research- Analysis of existing media products,
codes and conventions, target audience
 Planning- Storyboards, shot list, costumes,
locations, script, Dates and times, props, equipment
 Media product
And
 Audience feedback, evaluation

3. Codes and conventions
Our media product has used conventions from the thriller
genre of the following:
 Element of darkness/Low lighting- Noir
 Claustrophobic locations- College/Corridor
 Obtrusive editing- montage, jump cuts, sound bridge
 Photographs/Stairs- To create tension
 Two or more characters psychological preying each
other’s mental ability- protagonist/antagonist
 Flashbacks- montage scene from the photograph
 Contrast of black and white for colour representation
conventions
 Variety of tracking, close ups, medium shots, POV
 Soundtrack is slow and builds up suspense
Conventions researched from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)

4. “Face Off” was our biggest inspiration because it contained mostly
useful and different mise-en-scene techniques which our group found
both interesting and different. Some techniques that we applied were:
•Dreamscape colour filter- making the environment link to memories and
create confusion for the audience
•Colour representation- the white horse used to represent innocence but
however blood on the horse represented death
•Use of slow motion to enthuses the death of the protagonist
•Contrast between protagonist/antagonist
•Soundtrack of the carousel creating suspense and tension for the
audience
•Diegetic Childs laughter which linked to the relationship between father
and son
The carousel scene
consists of
flashback and The contrast
dreamscape of good/evil
environment was one of
making it perfect our main
for the developed
psychological conventions
thriller sub genre

5. However our media product has challenged some
conventions of the thriller genre but the main convention is
including more horror aspects which can affect the
narrative of the media product. Horror films show
supernatural, explicit gore, use of nightmares and haunted
locations.
Our media product has shown more horrific aspects through
out the following scenes:
g Burning montage- Fairground from the film Terminator 2/
photograph
Death scene with the use of his characteristics and explicit
gore
Antagonist representing as nightmare, protagonist
responds to him through fear and horror
t Diegetic heartbeat building up nightmares

6. Throughout the conventions used for the media product
our group had decided that our media product was to
be classified as a psychological thriller sub genre and
some aspects of the action sub genre as well.
The antagonist has
The use of flashbacks Photograph represents hidden his identity
and the burning scenes the back story and with the white
relating to the purpose of the innocent mask
protagonist’s past protagonist
The
Psychological thriller soundtrack
makes the
atmosphere
very
perceptive
Including dreamscape colour Observing the book on
to create confusion Realistic- smoking in a the desk- unknown
urbanised area purpose

7. Also another thriller media product that has inspired us is “The Dark
Knight” although its similar to “Face off” as an action thriller our
group was more interested in the mise en scene. Some
conventions used in the media product were very useful such as:
 White Clown masks- used to convey and hide the identity which
created a false impression of innocence
 Sophisticated Clothing- Links to their representation of masculinity
making the antagonist seem stronger and masculine
 Composition of shots- during our ideas we were thinking for our
media product to include similar shots such as the following clip
from 1.22-1.29 a close up of the mask (
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0OYBEquZ_j0&feature=related)
This type of shot zooms in
Although the Dark at the mask making it
Knight is an drama/ create mystery and
action our group suspense for the
have decided to audience showing the
antagonist’s unknown
include the
identity and purpose. Our
dramatic aspects group was originally going
which link to the to use this shot but
psychological sub instead we have changed
genre it to an over the shoulder
shot creating the same
effect.

8. Social groups
 Gender
Our actors are represented as stereotypical men , as the males are represented
as strong, athletic and social important compared to women e.g. Smoking
because our research for our target audience has shown most expect the
antagonist to be 25-40 yrs old. No women are used because our group
though males would be more interesting
 Age
The age group in our opening sequence are represented as adults around 25-40
yrs old. This is represented by the two male actors and the research expect
a psychological to relate to 15 or over ratings.
 Class
Our actors in our thriller are represented as middle/ working class through out
the use of clothing from hoodies,jeans and t shirt which creates realism.
This also links to sociology that its proven that working class does commit
most crimes.
 Stereotypes
The antagonist is represented as a stereotypical stalker whereas the protagonist
is represented as a typical victim with scared characteristics.
 Nationality
Our characters are represented as British because most people during the
questionnaire have mostly mentioned the filming location to be in the USA.
But however due to travelling, our group has decided to choose the UK and
England in order to make it simplistic and affordable.

9. Media Institutions
 Our media product would be distributed by a major
Hollywood studio such as Paramount pictures or Warner
Brothers similar to other thrillers such as Face off and the
Dark knight for global distribution.
 Our media product would be mass produced and globally
distributed for multimedia from both cinema and DVD- linked
to the audience feedback
 Our media product is made in the UK so therefore our
media product can be funded from the UK film council. Also
it can be distributed into locally as a TV movie on TV
programmes such as Film 4 which shows a lot of British
films.
 Our media product is rated 15 or over due to explicit gore
and use of horrific images which may be restricted for
younger audiences

10.  Our media product would be successful because other psychological
thrillers such as “Inception” was also distributed by Warner brothers similar
to the “Dark knight”. By researching reviews most critics thought “Inception”
had contained individual twists and turns that are exciting to discover as
their cumulative visceral, intellectual and emotional impacts.
 Therefore “Inception” does contain allot of dreamscape and supernatural
elements similar to our media product. Therefore our media product can
have similar distribution and reviews as Inception. But however Inception’s
mise en scene is more highly developed compared to our film so therefore
in order to receive the same reputation our group must considered
developing the technologies and mise en scene in order to gain high
potential. And also our group has used the main soundtrack in order to
alter and create a mixed soundtrack.

11. Audience of our media
product
Our target audience
 15+
 Males and females
 Males and Females that are particular teenagers or adults that are 18+
in hard working social employment
 People that particularly enjoy psychological thrillers that create
mystery and suspense for them and that go to the cinema monthly
Other films that are similar to ours with similar audiences
 Face off- their media product had acclaimed both audiences and
critics. The film included lots of dreamscape elements and dramatic
surprises for the audience, which is similar to our target audience for
psychological aspects.
 The Dark Knight- They had a broad range of audiences making
themselves very popular and successful. The opening sequence
covers allot of mise en scene of the composition of camera shots and
clothing making the audience feel confused and scared of the
narrative.

12. •BBFC (British Board of Film classification)
By researching on the BBFC website
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/ our group has
discovered that the 15 age certificate contains
the following:
•Strong and painful violence that images as sadistic or gory
•Easily accessible weapons aren’t glamorised
•Horror contains threat and menacing images unless sadistic
•Dangerous behaviour should not effect detail which could be copied
•Drugs- not to be used to promote or encourage younger audiences for miss
use
•Language- there may be frequent use of strong language , stronger terms
may be acceptable, aggressive use of language acceptable.
•Theme- no theme is prohibited provided treatment is appropriate for 15 year
olds
Therefore our media product has shown loads of characteristics for 15 age
certificate making it more easier to aim for 15 or over audience members.

13. Attracting/addressing the
audience
•Our audience profile is 15- 40 yrs old because our group felt that most of the
scenes were too horrific and confusing for younger audiences.
•Our media product has attracted most of the target audience through the use of
the climatic narrative through the staring scene it progressiongly builds tension
and psychological atmosphere allowing the audience to feel very concerned of
the protagonist
•Our media product has included lots of conventions that the audience has
thought about in our questionnaire such as including 15 rated content , set in
urbanised location but our group has chosen isolated as well in order to create
change in emotions and makes it more mysterious.
•Our media products has also included using the present time period and for our
gender in both the protagonist/antagonist both are male.
•For our colour representation most of the audience believe that black clothing
does associate the antagonist to become present with evil

14. •Mise en scene
•Through the use of camerawork from basic shots to more complex shots
such as side angles our target audience has shown different emotions and
interpretations making the narrative very complex and confusing. Most
camera angles are related to the “Dark Knight” so therefore our media
product would gain similar meaning and atmospheric moments. However
during our first ideas in story boards our group had changed camera
angles/shots in order to make it more psychological and mysterious for our
target audience.
•The characters in our media product are young males which relates to
the questionnaire, this establishes connections between the media
product and the audience because our audience are young and teenagers. Our
characters played by Luke Parker and James Mellor would show realism and act
like ordinary people. Also people found that our soundtrack was very depressing
and weird. A screen shot to show
our group has
changed ideas that
originally it was a close
up of the hand that
flicks the cigarette
instead our group has
used an over the

15. Our group had decided to publish our media
product onto a facebook page in order to
show more feedback from our target
audience: This shows that loads of audience
members particularly love the film. And it
shows great interest showing that our
media product is very interesting and
climatic.
These comments show both dramatic and
psychological aspects showing that some
audience members are confused and
some believe the film is more horrific.
Our group has felt that the horror aspect
has effected our sub genre. It also
attracted older audiences such as the
couple which widens our target audience
range.
During our audience feedback most of the comments have been said that the media product
was very confusing which links to the sub genre of our media product. Most audience
members thought the use of montage and jump cuts made the media product very effective
and emotional. And finally most people also thought that most believe it was a psychological
thriller.

16. Technologies learnt
 During the preliminary task I had little knowledge of technologies but
during the main task I have learnt so much different media such as:
 Different camera shots/ angles- by using new camera angles/ shots,
my ability for the hand held camera has improved since the
preliminary tasks
 Editing software- During the main task I have learned to use imovie
by experimenting different filters and montages for example during
the photograph scene our group has edited scenes in order to build
a montage showing that our skills are developing. Our group has
also improved our knowledge for colour representation and cross
cutting editing. And included special effects such as slow motion and
cross dissolve in order to build up interesting composition.
 Garage band- By using current songs/ soundtrack our group has
edited with the use of garage band in order to create sound bridges
and synchronous sounds to make a soundtrack that would appeal to
the audience. I have learnt, with the use of garage band, how to
alter the pitch, tempo and form of the soundtrack.

17.  Camera Strengths and weakness
 Strengths
3. The camera was easy and simple to use it for our media product
4. During our filming we have used different angles for the camera such as low/
high angles by using either a tri pod or hand held strap showing that our depth
of field has improved
5. It was easily connected to the imacs in the college allowing us to import/export
footage more faster
6. The camera was small and hand held with a hand strap allowing us to use
POV shots and tracking shots with high mobility
 Weaknesses
W The camera was less advanced showing that it made some scenes didn't
show the characters due too being too dark, because the camera didn't focus
much even with the torch.
h The camera was hard to focus on particular objects or characters due to the
lack of concentration of the shot.
a The camera size enabled us to record some of the complex shots such as the
character turning 180 due to the lack on technology and accessories for the
hand held camera

18. •Soundtrack/ sounds
During our editing our group had used different soundtracks from copyright free
sources from YouTube such as:
 Dead space trailer soundtrack
 Inception soundtrack
 Untitled 7 by Signor Ross
 Welcome to limbo
After searching for soundtracks we have altered and edited them in order to blend
it with the footage so we can create great composition and form.
Our group has also researched on the imacs for diegetic sounds in order to make
the scenes more realistic. Our group has managed to find a copyright free
website and our group has included the following diegetic sounds:
 Heart beat
 Door
 Footsteps
 Electrifying sounds
 Screeching sounds

19. •Unreliability's during the main task
 During our filming our group did had problems during filming that
during some scenes were too complex due to being the camera out
of focus and too much movement. So our group had decided to
change the scenes from the storyboard in order to make it less
complicated and effective. For example the ending scene with the
blood on the hand had shown too much movement which has made it
very unstable and too dark.
 Also our group had problems with the light and darkness that during
our planning our group have had to decided so much in order to film
on a low light date for the opening scene.
 However during our filming and editing, our group had decided that
our ideas have expanded that has cause us to go over the brief of 2
minutes eventually adding 3 minutes in total. Our group has felt that
we shouldn't interfere with the footage because we believed that with
our skills and knowledge our film had built great tension and
suspense which would receive high potential for the target audience.

20. Preliminary Task
Since our preliminary task I have learnt to follow acquired and briefed
shots in order to build and create an opening sequence that would
shows the following specific shots:
 Shot/reverse shot
 Match on action
 180 degree rule
The preliminary task therefore has helped me to gain more confidence
and improved knowledge of the camera and different composition of
shots. This has also helped me to understand technologies and to
become more confident.
The preliminary task has also helped me to plan more detail and factual
observations in order to plan out a detailed and scene with different
meanings. After filming I have learnt basic editing techniques about
montage and jump cuts which has given me basic skills in order to
start the main task with my group.

21.  Planning
After the preliminary task the main task has helped me to develop my
skills even further and to acquire new techniques in order to extend
my knowledge. I have learnt from the following during the main task:
 Research- our group has learned lots of new analysing techniques
such as narrative and mise en scene in order to analyse current
media products. This has helped us to identify and acquire the
conventions from the genre so our group can considered using
similar techniques.
 Locations- our group has expanded our ideas by considering bigger
and wider areas that allow better variety
 Storyboards – during the main task our group has learned to combine
and discuss ideas so we can acquire structure and show teamwork
also dedication
 Clothing/ Props- this has helped us how to show the roles of the
characters through the use of colours representation
 Shot list- our knowledge for different type of shots and time
management has increased allowing us to consider which shots are
the most effective for particular scenes

22.  Filming/ Editing
Our group during our main task have developed our filming skills
and techniques, it’s also development our time management
and developing ideas. During filming I have also learned how to
control and have learned how to use the equipment more
effectively since the preliminary task. Also during our editing our
group’s knowledge for new technologies has been enhanced
since the preliminary task. By learning new editing techniques
this has enhanced our media product to become a
psychological thriller such as using colour filers and sound
bridges. And our group has learned to be more expressive and
learnt to become more enthusiastic and considering new ideas
and developments in order to prevent any problems from
affecting the preliminary task.

23. Conclusion
Overall I believe that our media product did succeed in
fulfilling the task. But however although our planning and
research has been helping us to develop lots of ideas and
forms, I feel that the media product does include more
horror aspects which can affect the main narrative and
sub genre of the media product giving people the wrong
impression for our media product.