Evaluation Question 1 - In What Ways Does My Media Product Use, Develop, Or Challenge Forms And Conventions Of Real Media Products?

My media product uses many of the forms and conventions found in films of a similar genre and storyline, most notably Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project. The use of handheld camera is especially reminiscent of the aforementioned movies, both of which use the technique as an effective way of creating tension and creating an immersive experience for the audience. I wanted my film ro have elements of realism to it, as a believeable horror storyline is far more engaging and entertaining for an audience. The handheld camera also allows the audience to experience the film from the character's point of view, which builds tension as the audience is seeing and knows as much as the character knows.

An aspect that I used within my product that was not really present in the aforementioned films was that I incorporated an opening scene (which chronologically happens after the basement events in the film) that, without revealing key aspects of the plot, reveals that there is something ominous to come. As this creates tension from the start, as the audience is aware that something happened (and as the scene cuts to a few days before that they are going to see what exactly happened) which means that the audience should be drawn to the impending incident within the plot without having to slowly build tension within my narrative.

Another aspect that I took from Paranormal Activity and The Blair Witch Project was the use of minimal characters and dialogue within my film, which means that the audience is more focused on the storyline and the plot rather than the characters and their personalities. It also gives the audience the opportunity to engage with the characters and identify with them rather than have the characters and their personalities forced upon them.