Evaluation: How does your media product represent particular social groups?

How does your media product represent particular social groups?

Our horror film represents family and also shows a teenager to be the protagonist. A lot of films such as ‘One Day’ show teenagers in a bad way and over exaggerate their behaviour, films like this show a lot of gun crime and gang wars. As a group we decided this isn’t something we wanted to do and the two main antagonists in the film are in fact older than teenagers and the teenager is the antagonist.

We didn’t focus strongly on the representation of social class however the two antagonists are representing their social class badly as they are violent within the opening scene. I also think because our characters are quite realistic and there isn’t any character in there that could be said to be unrealistic it helps the audience to identify with the characters and be taken through the story with them, they may even imagine what they would do if it was them.

There are a few improvements that could be made looking back at the film and I believe that because we are showing ‘a human monster’ we could have shown more background to the antagonist and shown how they became that way, which often happens in horror films and in a way it helps the audience create a connection with the antagonist and this brings them in to the film.

It could also be said that the two antagonists are like ‘Chavs’ as the one has his hood up and they are both talking quite commonly and this is a representation of a social group as it shows that anybody that dressed in this way is bad and will be causing trouble.

This is the film trailer for the film 'One Day' and it shows how the young teenagers are shown to be chavs and anti-socail and this is something we wanted to move away from and we chose to show the teenagers in a good way, and the older antagonists are shown in a negative way.

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

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

Our media product which is an opening sequence to a horror film does follow the traditional conventions of horror films. We have used a ‘human monster’ and this is used a lot with in horror films such as ‘Halloween.’ Although we are showing two antagonists in the opening sequence it still allows the audience to question different aspects of it; for example has anyone sent them to kidnap the two people or why are they at the house or why haven’t they hidden their identity more. This is something which happens a lot in horror films and audiences are left questioning the opening sequence and this makes them want to continue watching and this was something we wanted to achieve.

The iconography we used within the opening sequence does follow the traditional horror conventions as the location of the kidnappers was in an old garage and it shows the two on their own in the garage initially. However we progressed on to show how the garage was close to the house in which they lived and this could help the audience relate to it. This is something that happens a lot within horror films and they try to reach the audiences own fears and this again is what we wanted to do. Also because we showed the inside of the house and some of the street outside we was able to show how the film was British as it was clears the houses were British and also when the antagonists speak they have a British accent.

   However we did also challenge traditional horror conventions as our two antagonists we dressed quite simply and were just wearing dark clothing and only one of the two have their face covered, this again leaves the audience questioning what is happening and we wanted them to almost get to know the antagonists to keep the questioning what is going on in their minds and what is making them do this. This isn’t something which normally happens in horror films as they normally use costumes that hide the identities of the antagonists.

We used the theme of ‘Good vs. Evil’ which is almost always present within horror films and this is something we thought we would follow as everyone in the audience can identify with it. The two people that had been kidnapped where parents and the main antagonist was their daughter and by using a teenage daughter and parents we will be able to target a wider audience. We have also used the final girl theory something which is often shown in the horror genre. The two people that are kidnapped are White and this is something which goes against traditional horror conventions as a large majority of monster fodders are actually of ethnic minority.

The camera angles we have used within the opening sequence do follow traditional horror conventions as we have used shots such as; medium shot, close-up and high angle. Our editing also follows the same conventions as we have used cuts and fades between the different shots.

The music we have used though does follow media conventions as it is there to help increase the tension and the music starts at the most tense part. This is something which a lot of horror films do as music adds to the mood when watching a horror film. The music is non-diegetic and parallel with the action.

Planning: Interior Shots

These are the pictures of our shooting location the first picture is of my house and this is where the opening sequence will be set, we will also have to film a few seconds outside the house showing the protagonist walking up to the door.

The picture of the hallway is where the two characters will have a bit of dialogue and this will set the scene for the opening sequence.

The picture of the lounge will be where the protagonist is waiting and this will be where he see's the antagonist.

The picture of the bedroom is where the murder will take place and this will show the monster fodder getting ready and then show her dead.



Planning: Prop List

The props we will be using for our horror film are:

• Hammer- Antagonists weapon
• Blood material- Horror iconography
• Gag- to tie up the victims
• Rope- to tie the hands of the victims
• Food colouring- horror iconography

Planning: Location Floor Plans

This is the floor plan for the location of our horror film. We decided we would sketch out the floor plan so we can work out which rooms to use. We put a star next to the rooms that will be used in the horror film.



Planning: Costumes

These are the costumes for the parents which are just normal and then we see the contrast between the normal characters and the antagonists who are all dressed in black.

This is the protagonist and she is also wearing normal clothes which is something that helps the audience create a link with her.

Planning: Location

We decided that we would film the opening sequence at my house as we feel that it will help to highlight the element of the human psychopath. Also because the area is quite isolated then it will help with the horror elements.
It is a very local and this will enable us to film more frequently as it isn't far for us to travel to. Also because the filming is all done in the house and the street outside we wont have to move around to much.