Evaluation 1 - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media product?

The first screenshot shows one way in which our film opening challenges conventions is the way in which we start it off. By this, I am referring to the music and fade in and out of our production company logo which instantaneously creates a very somber mood, this contrasts with most teen angst films as they start very upbeat and happy. For example, in Easy A it starts off with blue skies and happy, upbeat music.

The second screenshot allows us to give the audience an idea as to how we want the vibe of the film to come across. We achieved this by breaking down the fourth wall and having our actor have the facial expression that connotes that of someone who is sad and upset and feel alone, this is backed up by having a plain white background. This is both a counter type of a teen angst film as well as being a convention as there are other films that have broken the fourth wall but none that I am aware of that have broken it in such a way as we have.

The third screenshot shows a mobile phone with two different messages on it from separate contacts, one contact called "Him <3" and the other called "Her<3" this is a brilliant example of our group using something as conventional as a mobile phone but turn it very controversial by bringing a huge topic such as sexuality into it. Looking at my research I have come across mobile phones in most common teen angst films.

The fourth screenshot shows another way in which we challenged conventions is through our use of props. This comes apparent throughout the 'flashbacks' in which we have included before the film title is shown. Throughout these flashbacks, its shows props, some of which you would not see in a stereotypical teen angst film. These include Razor blades, suicide note, and drugs.

The fifth screenshot shows our opening title. Again within this shot we broke the fourth wall creating a connection with the audience by the straight to camera shots, this is happening while the title "Affliction" is shown in a very simple font, this is to show our film isn't about having a picturesque style to it and it is going to be raw and unique. This challenges the majority of the teen angst films as they all have funky logos.

The sixth screenshot also challenges our films genre, this is because it was a short clip of an empty park, this is uncommon within teen angst films as directors usually adopt the attitude that every second counts when it comes to screen time so they decide to fill it with dialog and character. This is not the case for our film as our film opening would not benefit from character dialog.

The seventh and eighth is the first time you see the two main characters without the fourth wall being broken. This is a conventional shot as it is almost vital for a film as it fully shows the characters and also sets the scene for the start of the film.