1. 1: How does your media product
use, develop or challenge forms and
conventions of real media products?

2. How the opening sets up the thriller
I got the idea for my opening from the film ‘The
Third Man’ this was made in 1949. The opening
contains stills to create an enigmatic atmosphere
so I thought it would be a good idea to use in
mine.
I got the idea of the narrative-building and
enigmatic look of clothes and clutter chucked on
the floor with a sense of abandonment from the
film ‘Taken’.
I also got the idea of narration off the
film “The Watchmen” because it uses narration in
its opening sequence and I thought it created a
really nice effect as well as setting the scene well.

3. Genre and how the opening suggests it
We started the opening with stills of a trashed house with the television blaring showing that there was
someone previously there. This creates the first enigma much like the film ‘The Third Man’ as I have
mentioned. Other thrillers use narration as a means of moving the story on considerably without the audience
having to see anything of importance. This is used in films such as; ‘The Watchmen’ and ‘Kill Bill’. I used this in
my opening because I thought it went well with the theme of a mans child and wife being abducted. It is him
explaining his situation and it also creates enigma: where is he saying this from?, has he been arrested and
questioned?, is this just a journal entry like in ‘The Watchmen’?

4. The first shot we see of a person suggests they are the main character in most thrillers and this is true here. As
we see the man walk in it immediately creates enigma, something which is profound in the thriller genre. We
ask ourselves; who is this man? Why is he here? Where has he come from?

5. Continuity Editing – Watchmen
In continuity editing everything is filmed so the viewer believes the are watching continuous action. The actors
appearance, lighting , colour correction and direction must stay consistent from shot to shot.
Link to the actual clip

6. In my opening I have followed the rules of continuity editing like the 180 degree rule and the 30 degree rule. I
have also kept consistent colour correction to add a dark feel to the opening and unsettle the audience.

7. Intercutting credits and actions
I got my idea of intercutting titles from a selection of thrillers such as ‘Syriana’.

8. Above you can see our intercutting credits, the titles also follow the conventions of modern thriller movie
credits. They are at the start like most thrillers and they have correct professional naming such as; Directed
by, Producers etc.
See the full credits

9. Title Font
I used this font as a title font because I think it supports the thriller genre very well. I wanted a typewriter font
like a ransom note which follows the narrative of the opening. It is also a distorted and heavy font which makes
the audience feel on edge like in the film ‘Se7en’. We made a black background appear when the titles come
up because we didn’t want to distract away from the main sequence at hand. It carries an impact but does not
completely draw you away from the narrative and that was our desired effect from the start.

10. Production Company Logo
Normal thriller films have a logo at the start to showcase the production company making the film and I didn’t
want to differentiate from that convention. Here are some below.
I decided upon the name ‘Hard Winter Studios’ for my production company. The logo is a de-leaved tree
surrounding by snow. This adds to the thriller element of the opening by having a sharp name and horror-like
Logo. I decided to be co-producers with New Line Cinema. Co-production is needed to fund films and New Line
also act as distributors. New Line are also known well among the genre as they produce high quality thriller
Films.

11. Thriller Films from novels
I decided my film should be based on a book mainly because it is a great way to get a quick audience. People
who were already interested in the book have an immediate interest in the film and want to watch it. Along
with the film going audience we would have most of the people who have read the book with it. This is also
used heavily in the film industry and more often in the thriller genre. It also means a story is already pre-
written and the film company just has to change it for film.