1) In what ways does your media product use, develop, or challenge forms and conventions or real media products?

Our film is based around the romantic, comedy genre. Our film shows aspects such as:

·         Story revolving around a female character ·         Humorous events

·         Narrative involves girl meets boy/ girl trying to find boy

·         Obstacles for female character

·         Attractive male- possible love interest for female protagonist

·         Set in High School, where obstacles are created

·         Male and female protagonist reunited

·         Underdog always wins

·         Stereotypical gender roles

Our film involves the following themes:

·   Relationships

• Friendships

•  Love

• Bullying

• Teenagers

The theme of love is shown through Anne’s desire to find the perfect man. The shots of the dating website show how unlucky she is because she is finding it hard to find the perfect man. Also she has come to that time in a teenager’s life where they feel the need to explore and form a relationship. Anne has added pressure due to Amy convincing her she will never be loved.

The characters used in our filming sequence have been developed in order to create a different female character that isn’t your usual feminine character. Anne has been developed into a unique character that isn’t bothered about the perfect image of females, or is too into her looks. In our opening sequence the close up shot of Anne scribbling over the fashion magazines featuring the perfect models shows Anne as an individual. Anne’s individuality is similar to the character of Sam in A Cinderella Story. Sam is an individual who doesn’t follow society and tends to go with what she is happy and comfortable with. Our film follows the narrative of a girl seeking boy situation. Anne is seeking love and trying to find the man of her dreams.

The close up shot of Anne on the dating website trying to find a guy shows she will go to any length in order to find the man of her dreams. Anne’s determination of trying to find a guy is similar to the character of Tracy Turnblad in Hairspray. Tracy has a huge crush on Link Larkin, one of the cool guys in the dance group. Max is the cool guy in school and one that all the girls are going after.

Our opening sequence challenges the use of sound found in opening sequences found in romcom’s. Romcom’s typically use light hearted, soft, romantic and airy pop music in order to show indicate the love element. However we have challenged the light hearted music by using upbeat, energetic, dance style music that has a comical and fun twist. This upbeat tune used throughout our opening sequence gives no hints of the romcom’s genre. Beauty and the Briefcase use a soft, energetic tune in their opening sequence that gives hints of it being a romcom film. 

How has sound been challenged in my opening sequence?

We have also challenged the costume element of mise-en scene because Anne dresses very differently compared to the popular girls in her school. Anne doesn’t bother following the trends of keeping up with the latest celeb fashion, she does her own thing. The mid shot showing Anne getting ready portrays her different sense of fashion. The narrative has also been challenged because female protagonists don’t normally go to extreme lengths to find love. Anne however undergoes a drastic transformation in order to attract Max. Anne’s disguise is similar to Sam in A Cinderella Story. She also undergoes a disguise before confronting her love. The setting element of mise-en-scene has been used in order to present Anne. Our opening sequence gives our target audience a feel of what Anne is like and what her life involves. The opening sequence of A Cinderella Story also gives us an insight if Sam’s life however it shows how her life has deteriorated since the death of her father.

How has costume been challenged in my opening sequence?

The body language element of mise-en-scene has been developed in our opening sequence. Anne’s clumsy and sluggish body language shown by the mid shot of her getting out of bed shows the lack of energy she has in the morning. Typically girl in romcom’s tend to get up early in order to do their hair and make-up. The close up shot showing Anne gargling with bubbles indicates Anne isn’t very lady like. These are the sort of humorous aspects that take place in a romcom. Anne is similar to the character of Sebastian Hastings from She’s the Man. Sebastian who is actually Viola, also carries out these unpleasant actions that aren’t very appealing. The entire opening sequence revolves around Anne showing she is the main character. This is an aspect that is commonly used in romcom’s

How has body language been developed in my opening sequence?