Q1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE OR DEVELOP/CHALLENGE

FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS.

Mirage

Todorov’s narrative theory in relation to our thriller.

Todorov stated that narratives in general, including that of thrillers, are led by events in a cause and effect format. Our thriller opening seems to fit quite closely with this theory however it has proven to be slightly unconventional.

disequilibrium

Equilibrium

For example, our thriller doesn’t begin with a total equilibrium, instead it begins with a slightly uneasy tone without a calm and relaxed atmosphere and gradually builds up to a disequilibrium.

Todorov continued…

Our thriller also ends in-between equilibrium and disequilibrium because not everything is resolved and it ends with a kind of cliff hanger at the end.

However, it does follow the correct pattern as the tension gradually become diffused.

Specific examples…1-Slight equilibrium (begin running)

2-Rise in tension (flashback)

3-Further Rise (First sight of antagonist)

4-Slight rise in tension disequilibrium (flashback)

5-Fall in tension slight equilibrium (phone call)

Chandler’s theory

This theory states that a film or TV series’ genre can be defined in six different ways through categories such as narrative, characters, themes, settings , iconography etc.

The following slide contains a work sheet where we decided upon how well we met these conventions of a thriller and why.

Narrative

In our thriller we have stuck closely to the conventions of a thriller film by playing with the concepts of conspiracy this adheres to the conventions of the thriller genre as it is quite a typical of the genre.

The Bourne series is a brilliant example of this narrative which sticks closely to concepts and themes such as torture and medial experimentation.

Characters

The conventional types of characters in a thriller film usually consists of a protagonist, an antagonist and a victim, among other smaller roles.

Our thriller has adhered to this convention by using a protagonist and an antagonist. However, we have subverted slightly by also making our protagonist a victim whereas in most thrillers, the victim is a sepirate character.

Protagonist

Victim

Antagonist

Themes

Our thriller appears to adhere quite well to the conventional themes of a thriller film. This is because we stuck closely to the themes of mystery as in our opening, the identity of the antagonist remained unknown as did the name of our protagonist.

Our thriller also has a suggestion of torture through our use of flashbacks to show the medical testing on the protagonist.

However our thriller did subvert slightly from the conventions of themes because (at least in our opening) there was not an instance of death which most thrillers contain, particularly in the opening. The film ‘se7en’ is a good example of this.

Setting

Our thriller very much adheres to the conventions of a Thriller’s setting as it has been quite a common idea to set films that fall under the thriller genre/sub-genre in an eerie and derelict area such as woodlands and abandoned towns etc.

However, this kind of setting is often seen more in thriller films with the sub-genre of horror, which our film is not and so in this way, our film subverts from the conventions of thriller films.

Evil Dead Mirage