Evaluation Q1. 

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

To present our film, the narrative style explores that our film is represented in a chronological order as the film begins showing that in the opening sequence there are two main protagonists each presented with different character roles. However, our narrative establishes the plot and clearly outlines to the audience that the characters are situated within a dark atmosphere to create a sinister and frightening tone. This was done in order to create an interesting, effective sense of place although, it creates tension and suspense upon the viewer in the first couple of seconds. Furthermore, this reflects that the characters within the film are in a horrific situation trying to escape the threatening appearance of a clown stepping by in front of the car as they drive down a long road. Within the film, myself Megan Blackburn, and Jodie Taylor another protagonist always seems to be frequently framed within the car at the beginning of the film to reflect the atmosphere is quite cheerful as non – diegetic music is used which is reflected to be upbeat and quite fast paced to present the atmosphere as cheerful juxtaposed to the setting that is dark. Furthermore, as the film progresses there are various sadistic scenes reflected to create tension and show the atmosphere begins to change as a long shot is used to establish a clown miraculously appearing on the edge of the road in relation to the frightening surrounding. Therefore, this reflects the genre of our film is slasher horror which mainly focuses upon the aspect of violence due to our film containing a psychopathic clown killer who murders innocent victims. Also, as it is slasher horror the film aims to frighten the audience by building up tension.

Our film links to other slasher horror films that we have watched whilst planning therefore, the horror film, IT created in 1990 by Stephen Kings, typically follows certain conventions through using an horrific psychopathic clown. However, the clown represented within IT is a typical representation wearing bright colour whereas, in contrast to this the clown within our film differs from this to portray an original appearance through wearing a tracksuit to create a strange but casual look upon the clown. Another example to a film that ours links to using setting would be Friday the 13^th as we have set our film within a gloomy atmosphere to create tension and show something horrific will occur. Like this, Friday the 13^th is based on a group of camp friends who are brutally murdered one by one however, the movie is based in a type of woodland area again suggesting that the area is quiet, strange, and gloomy which links with our film. 

Furthermore, it suggests the surrounding is isolated therefore, many aspects of low key lighting is used to create the slasher horror genre in scenes such as, when the car comes to a sudden stop and the protagonist conducts a monologue to suggest panic. The low-key lighting is used as it fits with the horror genre to create a mysterious and sinister atmosphere. As shown below the lighting captures the protagonists facial expression and shows a close - up shot to convey the character feels shaken by the sudden movement of the car. Within this fast pace editing is used to show the car comes to a halt extremely quickly therefore, it creates tension upon the audience as there is a change in pace it reflects that something is about to happen. In addition, this immediately draws the audience in and keeps them on edge as they are unaware of the certain surroundings and what is going to happen within the film therefore, this supports the idea of the psychological slasher horror theme. Sound is another significant aspect used as non - diegetic sound effects are used to add an effect and make the emergency stop more realistic. Then my character within the direct monologue yells, 'Woah what the fuck' to suggest the taboo language signifies the sense of fear and shock. 

Within the film there are various types of cinematography used such as, long shots to establish the protagonists in relation to the surroundings, medium close - ups to focus upon costume and mise - en - scene which conveys the characters are presented as teenage girls due to the fact that, they are shown wearing casual clothes. Other examples of shots used within the film are two level shots whilst the characters are sat in the car it reflects they have the same amount of power and authority. In addition, there are numerous shots to portray the fast movement to create threat and tension this is evident, as the characters are whip panning whilst running to show they are in danger also, shot reverse shots are used to capture one character after the other but, both running in opposite directions. Then another example of fast camera movements is when Megan runs back to the car in order to escape from the horrific surroundings and to show it is all happening quickly and suddenly also, the fast movement of the car. Therefore, this supports the visual convention of the slasher horror genre. 

At the end of the media product film it supports and develops conventions of media and horror as black outs are used to create a slight pause between scenes and create tension upon the audience further suggesting something mysterious and creepy is going to happen. Although there are black outs used, non - diegetic music is played alongside of this that is quite gloomy and creates two bangs then switches to a different scene before another black out, in order to frighten the audience. In addition, at the ending as well as the beginning typography is relevant to portray the title sequences. The beginning is juxtaposed to the sequence at the end as the colours and font change to create a terrifying image and build up tension at the end. The colours presented at the beginning is white upon a black background therefore, it stands out to convey a sense of hope, purity and safeness juxtaposed to the ending sequence changing to a bigger font size and the colour red upon black which have connotations of danger, darkness and death which support my film. Alongside of this, frightening and spooky music is played as it creates a frightening atmosphere supporting the conventions of genre.