CR

1. How do your products represent social groups or issues?

Together, my group and I made a short film about a young girl who gets stalked and abducted. It is meant to be a reflection on the larger social issue of gender-based violence and the widespread anxiety it causes in women. In the video we emphasize the vulnerability that many women encounter on a daily basis, especially while partaking in seemingly harmless hobbies like running, through the protagonist's terrifying experience. In our film, the male stalker, portrayed by me, stands in for the stereotypical predatory male, highlighting the risks associated with toxic masculinity and the objectification of women. Through a realistic and sympathetic portrayal of the protagonist's suffering, the film seeks to provoke thought and increase awareness of the pressing need for societal reform to address these challenges. The film's website and postcard offer further channels for interaction by informing viewers about the film's screening schedule and urging them to participate in the discussion around its topics. The primary objective during the development, scripting, filming, and editing of this movie was to produce a thriller that would capture audiences' interest. Our goal of evoking genuine dread and discomfort while simultaneously drawing attention to the systemic problems of male abuse of women is dissected and critically described on the website. The short film asks viewers to consider their own ideas on gender-based violence and to sympathize with the teenage girl's experiences through its depiction of her predicament. The video aims to challenge deeply rooted cultural prejudices and foster empathy and understanding on such a sensitive and cruel issue by elevating the voices of people touched by such violence. As an actor and director, my ultimate goal is to use narrative as a vehicle for social commentary and activism, bringing attention to significant problems and inspiring constructive social change. Even as terrifying as this film is, the shining image of wanting and fighting for the female protagonist's well-being bleeds through the screen and is burned into the minds of the audience.

2. How do the elements of your production work together to create a sense of ‘branding’?

Our production's components work together in harmony to create a unified brand identity that captures the spirit of our short film. An important factor in creating our brand identity is visual aesthetics. Throughout the whole movie, we use a gloomy color scheme to represent the foreboding overtones and approaching threat that our protagonist must face. Viewers are drawn more into the story by the contrast between light and shade, which heightens the tension and uneasiness. Furthermore, the audience is more fully immersed in the narrative because of our deliberate use of camera angles and motions. The way that handheld camerawork is contrasted with static images in dangerous situations highlights the protagonist's transition from everyday life to vulnerability and loneliness.Sound design supports our branding efforts even more, especially the unique, tense soundtrack. The symbolic music and ambient soundscapes heighten the suspense and expectation, prompting genuine emotions from the audience. Particularly during dramatic and suspenseful scenes, thriller music draws attention to these moments and heightens the entire viewing experience. Our marketing assets, including the website and postcard, work in unison with the movie itself to develop our brand identity. A sense of mystery and intrigue is evoked by the dark color scheme and menacing images of the postcard, which mimic the style of the movie. The title "In the Shadows" is immediately associated with the thriller genre and foreshadows the brutality that lies beneath the surface of the seemingly normal park setting, thanks to the choice of a strong, bleeding red font.

3. How do your products engage with the audience?

In order to grab audiences' attention and evoke intense emotions, the short film my group and I made uses a clever mix of visual storytelling, narrative suspense, and targeted marketing. From the beginning, the spectator is taken into the teenage girl's seemingly regular daily routine, generating a sense of familiarity and connection. The opening shot's goal was to make the audience feel as if they were getting ready with our actor and to truly dive into her life. But as the story progresses, the presence of the male stalker creates a tangible sensation of anxiety and dread. The short film uses tense images and thriller music to successfully portray the protagonist's increasing sense of vulnerability and terror while also increasing the audience's emotional commitment in the narrative. The eerie soundtrack establishes the mood for the building dread, while clever camera work and editing enhance the suspense to keep spectators on the edge of their seats. The viewer feels a spectrum of emotions as the protagonist's situation gets worse, from dread and anxiety to fury and empathy. When the antagonist races off with an unconscious girl in his trunk, the sudden and unexpected ending of the film creates a lasting impression and forces spectators to confront the disturbing reality of gender-based violence. Apart from the movie, the website and postcard that go with it are crucial resources for drawing viewers in and captivating their interest in the project. The website gives important details about the movie's showing times and gives viewers an opportunity to delve further into the themes it addresses and learn more about the actors and their objectives. Meanwhile, the postcard invites people to attend the screening by acting as a physical reminder of the approaching event. Ultimately, I want to provide engaging and thought-provoking experiences that appeal to viewers' emotions as well as their brains. My goal is to create a memorable and engaging visual experience for viewers while igniting a conversation and motivating action on significant social issues through smart narrative and engagement activities.

4. How did your research inform your products and the way they use or challenge conventions?

In my thriller short film, the research conducted likely played a crucial role in shaping the narrative, character development, visual elements, and overall atmosphere. My research informed your production choices and how they challenged or adhered to conventions in several different ways. Researching real-life cases of stalking, abduction, and social media harassment would have provided insight into the behaviors and motivations of both characters. This understanding is what helped influence the development of the protagonist and antagonist, making their actions and reactions more realistic and compelling.By delving into the psychological effects of being stalked and kidnapped, a protagonist is shown who experiences fear, anxiety, and desperation in a relatable and authentic manner which would be considered the general set of conventions. Similarly, understanding the mindset of the stalker/ kidnapper helped viewers to create a menacing and believable antagonist. The utilization of lighting and darkness to create tension and fear is a convention that is quite often used in thrillers, and my research would provided insights into how to effectively use lighting techniques to enhance the suspenseful moments in your film.Incorporating atmospheric sound design, particularly during scenes of abduction, also have heightened the eerie atmosphere and intensified the audience's emotional response. Researching soundscapes used in similar thriller films is what mainly helped in the guidance and variety of choices in this aspects.The confined space of a car trunk adds a claustrophobic element to my film which then intensifies the look of danger and helplessness for the protagonist who was knocked out. Researching how other filmmakers have utilized confined spaces to create tension would have informed your approach to depicting this scene. My research into the dynamics of social media stalking likely influenced how it portrayed this aspect of the storyline. Incorporating elements such as fake profiles, online harassment, and digital surveillance would have added a contemporary and realistic dimension to your film, challenging conventional perceptions of stalking in traditional settings. By using my research to inform the unique aspects of my short film, my group and I were also able to create the narrative of a gripping and socially relevant film in relation to our real world of the 21st century. This would challenge conventional norms while also staying in line with the thriller genre essence. This not only added authenticity, but also depth to the film and engaged the audience on an emotional level which could possibly have left a long-lasting impact.