Evaluation 1 In what ways does your media product use development or challenge forms and conventions of real media

products? Location and setting We decided as a group to film in school and use certain areas of the school to show different aspects the environment. The reason that we chose to film in a school was because this was convenient for the cast and we also were aware of safety precautions. Also when we think of a school environment we immediately think safety is priority, which is why we chose to shoot in a school as it was a kind of unexpected location. When brainstorming we looked at Bathes theory and decided to associate enigmas codes to keep the audience thinking and wondering. We also chose to film when the school was isolated and deserted as this would give the audience the impression something is going to occur. We also looked at various thriller films and noticed what kind of elements they included such as dark lighting and shadows etc. We first shot in the corridors as this made the audience wonder and build tension and also this would give more effect for when the sudden instant climax occurs. This was why we suggested the school would be an ideal place to film, as it would add a different aspect constantly throughout the scene. We also suggested the staircase would be significant as it was a change in the setting. Also when you think of a staircase we think of many things that could happen for example an instant fall for no apparent reason. The height and distance between the characters created suspense and tension. Our last location was the library and this was a suitable place as a library is known for being a quiet with a sense of peace and harmony which contradicts our storyline as something bad happened.

Costume and Props We also decided that seen as the protagonist is in a school environment, then it would be ideal for her to be in school uniform as this portrays the character vulnerability. Also if she is in her uniform this makes the audience expect this is a usual school day for the protagonist, and we as an audience dont expect to see anything unusual occur. This is why this location would be suitable as it adds more of an anticipating atmosphere which makes us wonder what is going to happen.

The women in black(antagonist) is also seen to be wearing all black, she wears all black which adds a dark and gothic tone. Also black tends to represent darkness and also this colour does not emit or reflect light, which could symbolize the ghostly figure as a dark and negative spirit. Therefore the ghostly figure appears to be wearing black trousers and a long black dress which emphasis bad character.

We also used a white phantom mask and black and white makeup as this came across scarier looking. It also added more of a dramatic effect.

We also used a Blackberry and an iPod in our production. The Blackberry we used in our production was shown to be dead, this aids us in building tension as if the character is shown to have no communication with anyone and the outside, people may associate better with them and more suspense may be created. We also used an iPod as it is a common object that teenagers would have on them so this can allow people to identify with the character.

Camera work and editing The production consists of many different shots to show location and facial expression. This range of shots also expresses the professionalism of our video. This is a close-up shot on the characters face which shows her facial expression and tries to convey the emotion she is feeling. This next image shows the protagonist face once she has witnessed the ghostly figure. The close up helps show the girl has a look of fear in her eyes.

This next shot is a long shot; this shows the setting and location in the corridor. This shot also sets the scene for the final attack.

We have also used non diagetic sound through out, as this has made the scene come across more scarier and daunting. At the end of the production we see the women in black transporting from place to place as this is occuring we get a variety of shots which show us different part of the school. Also at the end of the prodcution we see all the scenes being rewinded and then the protagonist wakes up from a horrific dream. Adding this particular element to the production has created an enigma as the audience may question themselves at the end. Title font and style

The following images show the fonts and titles we have included in our production. Our title of our production appears at the end in red font and with a black background, the font that we have used is called AI Bayan. The reason we have chosen to select using this font was because it stood out and came across more striking. The colours black and red would normally be associated with horror/thriller genre as they are dark and bold colours, which is why we have chosen to incorporate these two colours together. We have also chosen to enlarge the writing so it comes across more appealing and so the audience will remember the name of production. Our logo at the end is seen to be in the colours red and white and we have chosen to bleeding cowboy as the font came across looking striking and engaging. When creating our logos and titles we have chosen constantly use the use of red as this colour generally tends to symbolize danger.

Story and how the opening sets it up

At the beginning we see that the protagonist is walking towards her locker and is taking her iPod out. By the protagonist walking to the lockers and just showing a close up of her face makes us wonder what she is doing.

In the next shot we see that she is at her locker taking out her iPod, this begins to set up the scene. To an extent this also builds tension thought out the production making the audience wonder what is going to occur and what may be in store for the girl.

We then see the protagonist walking towards the stairs and she then witnesses a dead body and the bottom of the stairs. This creates an enigma as the audience may start to query them self as this is an unexpected event that has just occurred. This scene navigates the protagonist closer towards the climax as she is lead into many clues of unexpected events. This scene creates anticipation and anxiety

Genre and how the opening sets it up Before creating our thriller we had looked into other thriller film, through doing this I gained more insight and knowledge as to what the audience may expect. I analysed films such as Black Swan and The Butterfly Effect. I noticed that in each of the films they included special effects to make the film more dramatic. After researching into other films I became aware that many thriller films started off with a normal day and then suddenly out of nowhere something dramatic happens. We then applied the research we conducted into our own film. From our research we noticed that most

psychological thrillers use dramatic sound effects to build tension, so in our films we incorporated dramatic sound effects to also try and build tension. For example in the opening of our film it began with just our protagonist in the scene, doing normal things in their routine (putting things in their locker) but when our ghost figure entered the scene we used non-diegetic sound effects to build suspense and to try and scare the audience. We also used the silent locations usually used in psychological thrillers as another method of inspiring fear in the audience. We used this image of an empty school to portray our protagonist as being vulnerable and alone when the ghost came to create more suspense. Because of the suspense that builds up our audience will suspect that some sort of event may happen due to the nature of our genre. How characters are introduced Our production consisted of three characters. We have introduced them in a way that comes across spooky and builds up tension which makes the climax seem more dramatic. Through doing this, we have mainly chosen to use medium long shots and long shots to illustrate how each character are in a deserted area. We also noticed from analysis the first two minutes of thriller, that many characters are introduced in a quiet empty environment. We have also used technical codes which have varied from camera techniques, framing, lighting exposure to emphasis the scene.

Our first character the protagonist comes in approaching her locker. We have used a medium long shot to show her surroundings. This shows she is isolated in the school as we dont see anybody else in the background.

When we see the ghostly figure being introduced we have a medium long shot and this sets the scene as we see the background. In this particular scene we have dark lighting as it creates a gloomy dull atmosphere. By using this type of lighting it introduces the antagonist with a dark scarier atmosphere.

This shot is a medium shot that is used; this shows the dead body lying there. This begins to show signs that something unusual is going on. In this particular scene we have used symbolic codes which may refer to setting, body, language and colour. The height of stairs creates an enigma as this makes the audience question themselves as to what may have occurred.

Special effects We have used many technique and special effects to emphasis the thriller genre. From analysing other physiological thrillers I have observed that they have included dramatic sound effect and special effects which really put across the genre and sub genre. The first special effect that we have used is having the women in black, also known as the ghostly figure appear behind the young teenager at her lockers. This immediately gets the audiences attention as it is just a quick sudden flash of the ghostly figure. Therefore it gives the audience a glimpse and makes them wonder what is it that has appeared out of nowhere behind her. This purpose of this was to create a scarier atmosphere and also the music helps to emphasis this. We have also used an effect which shows the ghostly figure transporting for one area to the next at a fast pace. The sudden fast sharp movement creates a tense and dramatic atmosphere. Lastly our last special effect we have used was the flash back of all the terrifying scenes which have occurred. The impact of this was to create an enigma as this makes the audience suspect something strange has occurred, therefore this keeps the audience wondering what is going on or what may happen.