Research 1: Thriller conventions
In this episode we see key typical thriller conventions of suspense, protagonist in danger, foreshadowing these are shown through when Mark is attacked by a new employee for Lumon named ‘Helly R’ in her attempt to leave the room she was locked in, once she made her way to a exit out of the building it was some type of illusion not letting her walk through to the other side of the doorway, this is foreshadowing the control over severed Lumon employees. in our coursework we will have the option of producing a thriller film opening, therefore we are researching the genre to help us with our decision.
In class we watched Episode 1, Season 1 of the Apple TV Show ‘Severance”. This show is classified as a thriller and follows the narrative of a man named Mark who is a employee at the company Lumon, he is severed so his work life and personal life are split and once Mark leaves the his workplace all his memory of work is gone, being severed is common practice in the Lumon company.
Research 2: Impact of technology and audience on Genre
In class, we learned about the Macro Element Genre. Both Nick Lacey (Repertorie of Elements Theory) and Steve Neale (Genre Theory) agree that genres evolve with time, but a set of shared standards allows the audience to relate to a book. Neale argues that the blend of known features with new, unexpected conventions is what keeps literature creative and engaging. Here is my article on how genre technology has changed over time due to socio-cultural influences, audience preferences, and technological advances.
Research 3: Research 3- Film Opening Conventions
Although there are so many different ways to start a film, film openings normally involve a set of “typical conventions” for specific things such as:
| Production Logo and Film Table | The production logo is shown to establish credits and identify the companies involved around the film and distribution A film name and the way it is presented is chosen to…. |
| Establishing the Genre | It is important to establish the genre of the film right at the start so that it helps film makers target their audience, manage expectations and maintain a narrative expectation |
| Character introduction | Introducing essential characters early on allows the audience to connect with the plot, grasp their responsibilities, and feel invested in their arcs. This can be accomplished using imagery, words, or behaviours that reflect their personality or motivations. |
| Topic/Theme | The film’s core issue or theme is hinted at or addressed early on to establish the tone and setting for the story. This could include visual themes, dialogue, or symbolic aspects that hint at the story’s greater meaning or message. |
Some common ways of starting a film include……….
Cold Open – Jump straight into action or drama.
Establishing Shot – Show the setting with a wide shot.
Voiceover/Narration – Introduce the story or character.
Flashback/Flash-Forward – Hint at past or future events.
Montage – Quick cuts to set up context or emotion.
Title Sequence – Stylized credits to set the tone.
In class we have analyzed a range of film openings to consider their conventions and how the film opening works to engage the audience. Here are my film opening analysis sheets… (insert your three-page sheet here)
- How the opening establishes genre (e.g., horror vs. comedy).
- Character introduction techniques (visual, dialogue, or action).
- Theme/topic setup (symbolism, motifs, or dialogue).
Research 4 – Inspiration for our coursework
I found two films that represented our inspiration the best
Research 5
Production company logo and research
The ‘ ‘ in Grug Studios TM is an InterTextual referance from ‘the croods’ – 2013. The character Grug is a cultrual icon and a symbol of a the textbook ‘manly’ man. No fun no jokes, just grit and determination. This reflects our production process and way we design movies. No bull, just action.
The Fire encircling Grug in our logo connotes our revoulutionary ideas. Fire is commonly thought of as one of the greatest inventions in human history, rivalling that of the wheel. this represents our creative spark and industry shaking movies. every film is unique here at Grug Studios TM.