Evaluation Q1 - Kyle Quadra

In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real products?

Frames

1. Production Company
2. Mid Shot of Protagonist
3. Low Angle Shot, with Producer and Screenplay writer credits
4. First Person Shot, blood dripping for suspense
5. Movie Title
6. Close up of Antagonist
7. Low Angle Shot, with Stars credits 
8. Wide Shot, with Editing and Sound credits
9. Black Screen followed by '4 Months Earlier', continuing the narrative

Analysis

The first frame displays the film's production company. This opening sequence immediately conforms to the conventions of a real film opening sequence, as from my research into film openings; most feature the production company in the beginning of the sequence.

The second frame shows the audience's first glimpse of the Protagonist. A low angle shot doesn't reveal the actor's face, creates suspense and mystery. This is a quite a common feature in openings, where the first person the audience sees is the main character. 

The third frame has the credits for the key personnel in the film. Commonly in film openings, these credits appear closer towards the end of the sequence as they are more important. The more important roles are found at the end as they are more likely to stick in the audience member's mind, therefore this aspect of our opening challenges the conventions real film openings. 

The fourth frame is a point of view shot from the Protagonist's perspective. The audience is put into the place of the Protagonist and this pulls them into the film's narrative, making them feel a part of the story. It creates a sense of mystery as the audience is yet to find out what is happening, making them want to watch on to find out what happens. Similarly, the purpose of some real film openings, is to pull the audience into the narrative and to make them want to watch on more. It is for this reason that our opening conforms to the conventions of film openings. 

The fifth frame is an important part of the opening. It is the name of the film and this formally introduces the film. It conforms to the conventions of real openings as it appears within the first couple of minutes, however there is not a specific point to add this in an opening as many different openings reveal the title at different points.

The sixth frame, similar to the fourth is a point of view shot. Again putting the audience into the place of the Protagonist. It gives the audience their first look at the Antagonist, which is not too common in most opening sequences, therefore our sequence challenges opening sequence conventions.

Frame seven and eight is similar to the third. They both feature the credits for the film's Stars and editors, again conforming to the conventions of film openings, as it is a must for openings to credit key stars in the sequence.

The final frame is of a black screen containing text that allows the film to progress further. Not all films feature this sort of cut into the narrative but with the ones that do feature this cut, our opening successfully conforms to the conventions of the opening sequence of a film.

Costume

The main character is wearing a white t-shirt and dark jeans. The white t-shirt could symbolise purity or peace and the dark coloured jeans may possibly imply a conflict of darkness and evil, which suggests that the main character is troubled and conflicted between good and evil.

The second character is wearing all black clothing with an army camouflage bandana. The dark colours symbolise darkness and mystery and the camouflage bandana suggests a militant aspect to the character.

Production Logos

Our production logos at the start of the opening sequence conform to the conventions of real film openings. The production companies credits are the most important in the opening sequence as they are the sources of funding and distributing the film.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack in the sequence is slow and subtle which builds suspense as the sequence progresses, conforming to the characteristics of thriller films as many films uses this sort of sound to build tension and mystery. 

Directors Commentary