In what ways does your media product use, develop or

challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

By George Gibbard

Following the ConventionsIn our movie I feel that we followed the stereotypes of the horror genre. This is because we was able to follow the normal stereotypes in the following groups: setting, props and costume, characters, narrative, shot types, editing, sound and lighting.By following all the conventions we was able to make a movie in which we was able to show that it was in the horror genre. By following these conventions we was able to make the movie successful in the genre.We followed all of the stereotypes by doing research and watching movies of the similar movie meaning that we was able to find the normal stereotypes.

SettingThe setting of the movie was in a school which was still in use. This was challenging the normal conventions of the movie genre and means that we was able to create a movie that was different to other movies in that genre. A movie was normally set where there wasn’t a wide group of people and was in a location normally old and abandoned where nobody would go. Compared to our movie where it's set in a brand new school where its bright and very open. This challenges the conventions of a normal horror movie as people will be able to see what is going on whereas in a secluded location nobody know what is happening. Where the movie is set in the school from the start it gives a sense of equilibrium and follows Todorov's theory because it means people are able to relate to the scene as they have likely been to school as well creating a sense of safety but this changes as soon as the recognition of the clown in every scene noticing that the school isn't normal. By the clown viewers being able to relate to the school setting they would be able to relate to the boys and put themselves into their shoes.

CostumePropsThe props that we used was a baseball bat this follows this was used as it can normally be used for fun sporting activities this infers to the viewer that the clown can see the murdering as either a sport or fun.MaskWe used a clown mask this is because clowns can be seen as being scary and people can have phobias of clowns called coulrophobia. This means that we was able to target a specific audience. Also clowns aren't usually used in movies such as that because it's usually something which has died.ClothingThe two boys are wearing suits this is because they are 6th form because of them wearing this it shows them as being similar characters from the same background. By them wearing suits is shows them as being smart and is a complete juxtaposition to the monster who himself is wearing a big green coat this coat is significant because its completely different to everyone else in the school all wear the same clothing and by him wearing different clothing it shows the difference between them both.

CharactersFirstly our villain is where a mask this is because it keeps his identity a secret from the boys in the movie. This create a view of nervousness for the viewer. Also this means that the audience knows something that the actors don’t this is called foreshadowing. This links to the genre because it means that the viewer already knows what is going to happen. When we asked what people found scary in our questionnaire and the answers that we got helped to choose who we wanted.We followed propps character types when we was creating our movie we had the person with the mask who was the villain. This was shown by him doing things such as taking people and also killing people. Then we have the person who gets kidnapped who is the damsel in distress this is shown by him being taken and kidnapped this links to the conventions of a horror because there is somebody to save usually being a girl. Finally there is the other boy who may be the hero this is because he is going to save the day.this links to the conventions of a typical horror movie because they are normally there to save the day.

Narrative Our narrative challenges the normal narrative of a horror movie as it’s the victims who follow Todorov's theory whereas we chose to base that theory around our villain. Equilibrium- He puts on the mask by himself in the dark room.Disequilibrium- The villain follows the body around the school and is found out that he is there because of the photos taken.Equilibrium- he catches one of the boys who have been causing him the problemsBy challenging the stereotype by using Todorov's theory on the villain it create a different view for the viewer because usually it’s the people who are getting attacked that have the theory which is being used.

Shot TypesIn the movie we used a wide range of shot types but we used mostly a wide range of close ups these close ups can add extra emphasis on either the actions that somebody may have or what somebody may be feeling. This was used in our movies firstly when opening the doors by adding by using this shot it emphasizes the change in scene and by doing so it means that we are able to show the change in movements. Then there is a close up of one of the boys face when the others get kidnapped and this means that we are able to see the emotions of them and how they are feeling. Finally we used the tracking shots to show the movements of the boys and where they are moving to this was firstly shown by when walking out the classrooms and then when we are walking down the hallway this is effective as we are able to follow their movements and their actions. These shots are a convention as they are able to show he emotions and how the characters are acting due to the situation that they are in.

Editing In our movie the editing was used to help to add extra emphasis on the actions of the monster. Some of the shots that we took would have longer edits to help to add extra emphasis on the main character the villain. As he got closer to the boys the quicker the cuts where that was used. This fits the conventions of a typical movie of the horror genre because the quick cuts add more tension and the building of the tension can help to create thrills for the viewers of the movie which is the main reason in which people go to watch this genre of movie. We also added in screens with writing on them this helped to show the passing of time in the movie such as the next day this was used to help to show the passing of time as it may not have been so clear.

Sound The sound in which we used in the movie was mostly diegetic when the actors was speaking but we was able to add a soundtrack over the top of the movie this goes with the conventions of a normal horror movie as its usually adds music over the top of the movie to help to create tension to the people that were watching it. This means that we are able to create tension. This is important because the tension help to attract people to come and watch the movie.

Lighting Natural- we used this when the student was in the scene this is because he help to balance between the good (students) and the bad (clown) the balance between these two is shown by the lighting being natural.Low key- the lighting is low key when the clown is making the transformation and when the clown is by itself this shows the darkness of the clown and how evil the clown is.High key- this is used when the boys are by themselves showing their innocence and there purity compared to the clowns darkness and evilness.This links to the typical connotations of the horror genre as they are usually dark in scenes to hide and createques and irrie scene between the characters in the movie. Also high key can be used to help show any action that may occur.