(M1) Apply the codes and conventions for the chosen genre in the materials recorded

Our short film has been created in the thriller genre. The scenes that we have used as well as the basic narrative stick to the common codes and conventions that are found in thriller films. For example, we have used a range of slow paced and fast paced shot in order to build tension throughout the narrative of the screenplay. The narrative we have employed is similar to other thriller films such as Ex-Machina, and thriller short films such as Finley, as we have varying levels of tension and realisation throughout the film.

When filming, we followed the codes and conventions of shot types in short films, and films in general. For example, shot sequences such as shot reverse shot in conversations, extreme long shots to show the environment around the character, and mid to close up shots to show personal emotion. Shot movements were less of a concern in our film, as most were static, however we stayed in line with the general conventions of camera movements too. In some shots we tracked the protagonist whilst they were moving in order to generate an audience to screen relationship with the sense of movement.

Similarly, the codes and conventions of a short film in general were followed, such as having a small cast, a low budget and a limited amount of locations to film at. Because we didn't have a budget, we had to make do what what we had, which meant filming outside in public, taking a camera out at the right time and sharing it with other people and having limited equipment to work with. These all fall under the conventions of short films and means that a low budget style is added to our film, which works very nicely.

Tunnel - 

In terms of narrative, we followed the conventions of a thriller style short film. For example, comparing to The Tunnel, we had very similar narrative play, as well as shot composition and length. We also had a build up, rather than a series of events, which is conventional of a thriller narrative, compared to horror's jump scare style narrative. The cinematography of 'The Tunnel' inspired our cinematography during the start and end sequence of the film, where we used atmospheric mid and long shots to generate interest or tension.

This is also the film that we took visual inspiration from, as when watching this film we liked the cinematography and shot composition. This meant that, when it came to filming, we followed the same style as this short film.

Comparison - 

This is one of the opening shots from The Tunnel amongst a series of establishing long shots and extreme long shots. The shot focuses on the character compared to the environment, which is a framing style to show the surroundings whilst also highlighting that the character is travelling somewhere.

This is a shot from the start of our film. The shot composition is different, however the premise of the shot is very similar, as this is during the initial travelling sequence, where the character is going somewhere which is not yet defined. I feel this shows that we have stuck to the conventions of a thriller film.

This is another example of a shot from the short film Tunnel. The shot is of the main point of the film, which is the bag and how the bag stays in the same place each time he goes through the tunnel, almost like it is a mirror. This shot uses a slight high angle with a low aperture, which creates a strong depth of field focusing purely on the bag.

Similarly, our film has the exact same shot with a very similar premise. The notebook is shot from a very slight high angle, and with a very strong depth of field. The reason for this framing is to establish the sinister tone of the book before the audience quite know it. The notebook is the sole premise of the film, which means that this shot is extremely important just like the one from the Tunnel.

Both of these shots are very conventional of thriller films. For example, taken from the science thriller film inception (2010) this is a shot of the spinner that is extremely important to the narrative of the film. You can see here the similarity between both the shots presented above in terms of shot types and subject depth of field.

The framing of an object by itself with no explanation creates an uneasy, questionable feeling from an audience. In most cases, when something is the only thing in shot, it holds a lot of importance to a films structure and narrative. This makes it confusing to an audience when they see an object on screen with not much explanation. It is then a convention to a thriller film to slowly reveal why that item is an important as displayed.

One of the visual codes that we used in the film was the dark clothes of an antagonistic character. For example, in this shot, the dark clothing and the fact that the character is wearing gloves provides the audience with a preconceived code/opinion on this character. This evokes danger into a scene, as the societal response to someone wearing clothes like this is naturally fear.

Furthermore, the character in this scene is kept very secretive. We only see their hand and their arm but never their face. This is purposefully using mystery to engage an audience response as they are completely unaware of the identity of the character. When a face is withheld (which is a thriller/horror convention) the audience is forced to depict an image of the character in their head. When the character like this instance is dressed fully covering, black clothing, the audience assume the worst and therefore make a worse image of the character in their head than we could ever depict on screen. This is a very useful code to use in thriller films.