Conventions Timed Essay

"Sometimes, working within constraints produces the most interesting work." (Branston & Strafford) How have you used real media conventions to produce interesting or effective coursework productions?

Branston and Strafford’s quote, “Sometimes, working within constraints produces the most interesting work” I feel suggests working within the limits that are suited to that genre means you can produce more interesting work that fits perfectly to what you are trying to produce. This, in my opinion, suits my media productions but more closely in AS than A2.
When looking at my AS Production, named ‘XYZ’, a convention I seemed to carry through was the dark, shadowy atmosphere. By the titles fading out on to a black and white film clip, it evokes connotations of dark and dangerous. The use of black and white suggests a flash back. I used this, as McQuail would say, because, “Conventions give the producers a framework to work with – a set of guidelines.” I felt to produce this dark, shadowy atmosphere it was important for the colourisation to be dark. The atmosphere was enhanced by delaying the face of the protagonist, also another convention (it appears I used one to enhance the other). This was done by in the black and white footage, making the protagonist wear a mask, very similar to the one the character ‘V’ from ‘V for Vendetta’ wears. By incorporating both of these conventions, I am ensuring the traits of a thriller film are clear – the audience are immediately absorbed into the genre, making it interesting and effective. The use of colourisation in my AS production was to be safe in applying the conventions, whereas in A2 I used colourisation to apply to the genre indie-rock, but also challenged it by changing the colourisation of the fire on each beat in stop frame animation. This shows progression as instead of doing it simply because it is a convention, I am doing it to challenge and make the piece of media more interesting.
Saul Bass’s interpretation of a Thriller Production suits me well, “Settle them down and create a sense of anticipation… hit the ground running.” I interpret this as taking a complex idea and showing it simply; by setting the audience up for a red herring, similar to how Alfred Hitchcock would have used in his renowned thrillers, I am putting them on the edge of their seats and aiming towards something the audience do not expect. This applies to the convention of an unsettled audience due to the paradox of a hit man being assassinated, producing an interesting piece of coursework. However; in my A2 production I wanted the audience to feel relaxed. To apply Goodwin’s principles the music video is to be narrative, performance or concept based. I challenged this by combining two – narrative and performance. This shows progression because instead of simply taking one suggestion, I am creating my own blend in my music video, whereas in AS I was using ideas from famous thriller producers in order to ensure my piece of work was effective: in A2 I wanted to experiment.
My AS Production immediately transported the audience into a sense of unease by applying the convention the unusual within the usual. This was done by having the protagonist talk about his career as a hit man in a very realistic setting of a crowded, bustling street meaning this person could be anyone you pass on a normal, daily basis. This juxtaposes the setting of my A2 Production, in a remote and natural area which goes against the genre, which is often in crowded areas such as concerts. In AS this would have created an uneasy atmosphere whereas in A2 it would have been interesting to see something unusual within the indie-rock genre that is so highly viewed.
In conclusion, I do agree “sometimes working within constraints produces the most interesting work” as it gives you a structure to work from and sprout ideas out of and this fell strongly into my AS Production, however in A2 I took these conventions and subverted them to create a more interesting, effective piece that went against the norm.