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

Q 1) In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
Our title sequence contained many thriller conventions. The film above ‘Touch of Evil’ sets the opening scene by establishing the environment, which is urban, by doing this; the audience familiarise themselves with the scenery. In comparison, our film is set in a suburban street. A panning shot from the sky to the house as well as the long shot of the house, suggest a sense of normality to hold a stronger impact on the audience when Sarah is held captive. It is clear that in ‘Touch of the Evil’ sequence, the streets and cars are of importance as the camera reveals it through several long/mid shots. Our opening highlights the significance of the house, as the major events take place here.

A common convention is good vs. evil. There is a protagonist and antagonist in our opening, which is clearly established. Sarah is the protagonist and this is shown using several close ups of her getting ready, suggesting a significance about her character. It also makes it clear that she is a main character, her getting dressed symbolises normality and that a day to day activity is taking place. David’s predatory character is shown through the shots too, most of which are of the back of his head, his suspicious facial expression etc. Several point of view shots are used in order to symbolise his predatory character, it seems he is watching her making her seem vulnerable as well as rising levels of tension. Cross cutting between Sarah and David show a link, of prey and predator.

As in Touch of Evil, the key prop is obviously the Time bomb, this is shown in close ups, and the connotations are danger and threat and clearly playing a key role in the film. Our film uses similar conventions, where the drink is spiked with Rohypnol. To make this clear, we show a close up of David pouring the drink, a close up of Sarah drinking it, the aerial shot of them toasting the glasses, the base of the glass as she drinks it, these all contribute to showing the importance of this drink.


My opening challenges many other thriller title sequences in a sense that more events take place than they should. When we see the close up of the door handle being closed a feeling of loss is sensed by the audience as Sarah has become familiar to us through the frequent appearance in the extract. Therefore it challenges the typical convention that too much should not be given away within the first two minutes of the film, whereas in ours it is clear David has spiked her and is holding her captive.

Here is the opening scene to touch of evil, please feel free to watch the comparisons i've made to my film.