Essay Question - Summer Work

Essay question – Explain the methods you used to attract you audience in your AS coursework

One method that our group used to attract an audience was the sound aspect. One member of the group created the music for the thriller film to build and create tension. The use of the instruments and slight repetition created a great starting position to build suspense within the video. 

At the beginning of our music video, we grabbed the audience’s attention by using a clip that we filmed that appeared like dripped blood within a sink. It almost looks unrealistic and abstract, giving a false impression that could be interpreted by each individual viewer. However, after this short shot of the ‘blood’ the camera zooms towards the sink where it now gives the clear impression of what the director is implying – Blood. 

The font that was carefully chosen as a group was used to keep the audience watching the thriller, never knowing what is expected. The spooky font however was not cliché but more original to give the viewer something new. 

 One of the main features of the thriller film that attracted the audience for the coursework was the simple idea of filming a large part of the thriller in a ‘normal’ location – inside one of the member’s house. The reason for why we chose this location for the majority of the thriller was the fact that the audience can relate to the film due to familiar locations. The effect of this was to allow the audience to put themselves in the actor’s situation to feel how they do. 

During certain parts of the thriller clip, we used a washed out black and white affect to give the idea that these areas happened a while back. I believe that it was successful and that our group managed to perfect this aspect of the filming, for example the army marching. 

We used the cutting rate to our advantage to create more suspension of a thriller film. We varied the rates throughout the film, however the majority of the cutting rates were fast to match the speed of the film and create the tension that was needed. Along with the creation of tension, we also used the speed of the cutting rates to create confusion for the audience. 

Overall, I believe that our group filmed the thriller successfully without many criticisms; however there are ways that we could improve this clip. If I could re make this film I would shorten the credits as I believe that the audience may not have a complete idea for what out group was implying. Also, we could have perfected the editing of the match cuts, although this is not a huge aspect that I would change.