In what ways does your media product

use, develop or challenge forms and

conventions of real media products?

Question One.

USES:My short film does a lot to conform to the conventions of its influences.

Firstly, most of the technical features apply themselves to the conventions of the ‘Crime comedy genre’ such as the mise-en-scene. The settings in which I created were an art gallery and a police interrogation room, this is typical of the genre as themes of theft and law enforcement often plays a large part in

films of this form. Furthermore, I casted and costumed my characters in a way which reflects typical character types. The two ‘criminals’ and two police

offers were selected mainly due to their appearances. It applies itself to the conventions of short film in its simple twist where the cleaner ends up

stealing the artwork. This isn’t dissimilar other productions like ‘Happy Sushi’

and ‘How They Get There’ as it provides comical and lighthearted closure.

Characters

USES:My editing and cinematography is fairly conventional throughout; action

matches and shot-reverse-shots are common so to maintain a fluent narrative progression. I did include a ‘slide’ transition however which is a popular convention of British crime comedy used both in Lock Stock and

Two Smoking Barrels and Snatch. The use fairly art house editing (such as slides and zooms) similarly conform to this auteur style. The inclusion of a

voice over flashback in my short film also is typical of the genre.

Editing and cinematography

ChallengesIn many senses, my film challenges the typical characteristics of

Short Films. My inclusion of five key characters is unusual of this format as character development in less than five minutes is

extremely difficult. I did this as Crime-comedy often stars a range of characters. Furthermore, my film being dialogue heavy is unique as

short films often have little or no dialogue which is seen in award winning short: Strangers, among many others. This helped develop

my characters though and ultimately makes its more appealing for a wider audience.

DevelopsI would consider my soundtrack a development of the genre. Funk/Jazz

music produced by the likes of Gordon Grant and Billy Cobham used to be a popular convention of British crime television like the ‘Sweeney’ in the

1970s. I used this in my own production to give the film a nostalgic touch, in turn making the production post-modern. This is rare of the genre today whilst also being different to its original use as shows like ‘The Sweeney’ were never supposed to be funny making my film unique to the modern

genre.