Task 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

There are several features of our thriller opening sequence which conform the conventions of a typical thriller movie. A few of these features take place in the bathroom scene, in which the setting in itself is often witnessed commonly in thrillers. The blood which is being washed off the man’s hand is a common convention of a thriller, as it symbolizes death and danger. The blood suggests that the man has just committed a crime, or so we are led to believe. It also implies that he is dangerous and lives a violent lifestyle. The mirror in this bathroom scene plays on our knowledge of thriller movies where it is common for the audience to see something else in the reflection of the mirror. Of course, nothing is shown in the reflection, so the use of the mirror almost challenges the conventions of mirrors in typical thrillers.

The use of a black screen at the beginning of the sequence conform the suspense and mystery conventions commonly used in thrillers. The audience is left to concentrate on the sounds as opposed to the visual, and we felt that this confusion would engage the audience’s attention, as they would want to know what has happened.

The shot from inside the wardrobe and the shot from underneath the bed suggest the possible places in which a body could be hidden. They give the illusion that something or someone is watching him as he is taking the suit out and getting dressed. This creates mystery and suspense, in that the audience feels that there is someone else in the room with him. This conforms the mystery element of thrillers.

It is common in thrillers to have an attractive female in distress, who are killed by the antagonist. Our thriller challenges this common convention, as instead of an attractive female, we have used an attractive male, but as opposed to him being in distress, he is portrayed as an anti-hero throughout this opening sequence.

The shot of the gun again emphasizes the suggestion of violence throughout our opening sequence, however it also implies an 'action thriller -  James Bond style' aspect. Guns are a common convention and are widely used in action thrillers, and therefore conforms this stereotype.