Jerome Solomon

Q1) IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE

FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

THE TITLE OF THE FILM

The titles ‘Missing Jamie’ fits in the thriller genre because emotive due to the name giving us a personal connection. Also the word ‘Missing’ gives an impression of the girl being vulnerable. The name itself is like conventional thriller films like ‘Eden’ and ‘Lucy’. However it can also challenge the conventions of thriller films because ‘Missing Jamie’ is ambiguous where it can have 2 meanings therefore you will need to think what the title is presenting. This makes the whole title seem mysterious and deceitful. Furthermore the film title appears at the end of the opening sequence which is not normally seen in thriller movies but some do it. The purpose of this is to end the opening with silence to make it more suspenseful and if we reveal the title early it takes away the animosity of the plot.

SETTING/LOCATION

Locations that were included in my opening were bedroom, street and in a car. The location in the right is a street with semi-detached houses. This location does use the conventions of thriller opening as we are introduced to where the character lives. The location is ordinary which makes it feel like that anyone can be in that situation which people can empathize with the character. The locations are easy to follow because we follow the character’s daily life (linear narrative). However it does challenge the conventions of thriller films because most opening are in cramped, dark areas, whereas this is happening in daytime.

COSTUMES AND PROPS

The costume of this teenage boy character is typical of people involved in neighbor hood crimes in thriller films and everyday life. The costume consists of a hoodie, with hood up, matching bottoms, headphones and trainers. This gives the impression of the character being anonymous and sly. It makes us feel insecure as we do not know who the character is which seen in conventional thriller films. The hiding of the face may increase the tension and create that thriller mystery. Just because you cannot see the face doesn’t mean it is human. This entirely is what appealing in thriller movies and to audiences.

CAMERAWORK AND EDITING

The camera work and editing involved in my opening scenes does follow the conventions of opening scenes. The image to the right showcases a shot of Jamie and it is extreme close up shot. This follows the convention because we are intimate with the character thus making us feel insecure and tense. This is usually revealed in the opening to show its thriller genre and sets out the tone for the rest of the movie.

TITLE FONT AND STYLE

The title and font used in my opening scene is simplistic. This challenges the conventional opening of thriller films because it usually is of bold and irregular font. However certain openings use white font and mine does which follows the conventions of opening scenes. White font is striking and attracts the audience. It is easier to identify and in the likes of Se7en it is incorporated into the opening. Mine is incorporated as well because most of the scenes are bright white some white background and it works well with the opening sequence. Overall the white don’t is simple which is unexpected.

STORY AND HOW THE OPENING SETS IT UP

The story is played through Jamie’s emotions, behavior and her texts. I feel like the text is not conventional of opening thriller films but phone calls are. I have incorporated a mix of them to highlight that Jamie is being stalked and that MrAnonymous will try to get her any way of communication possible. The text at the right shows the audience how mad and insane the stalker is (Mr Anonymous). This opens the story and makes it seem creepy and uncomforting.

GENRE AND HOW THE OPENING SUGGESTS IT

There are many aspects of my opening that follow and develop conventional film opening. For example this image shows us a scene where Jamie has been kidnapped and tied up. This instantly gives us the genre of thriller and on the verge of horror. This is because she is helpless. The opening shows us the aftermath after she has been kidnapped and this shows her cuts, ruffles hair and even a black eye. Such violence is not seen but the audience will have thought she was hit therefore suggesting that it is in the thriller genre. We do not see how she got hurt which emphasizes the mystery aspect.

HOW CHARACTERS ARE INTRODUCED

The antagonist and protagonist are introduced to us differently from each other in my opening scene. The protagonist Jamie, is followed by the audience and is fully exposed because we see her normal life which lets us see it in her point of view. The antagonist is revealed when you least expect it such as the image here when she gets a phone call. The audience is introduced to Mr Anonymous and it is nerve-wracking because we do not see his face and his body. He has the advantage it seems and makes us feel he is the enemy. This also creates an enigmatic character which is conventional in opening sequences like Taken and Speed.

SPECIAL EFFECTS

There are not many special effects used in my opening sequence. Only transitions showing time passing or another day. One effect I had used was slow motion in point of view of Jamie when she is looking around after a text. It creates a blurry vision and highlight her scared and unwell state. She is worried and that is why this epical effect was used. This makes us empathize with the character with a sense of paranoia.