The Hostage - Finished Sequence

[Task 1] Thriller - In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

The first shot of the Sequence is an establishing shot of the massive mansion our characters live in. Big buildings and generally houses, are often used in Horror Movies and Thrillers. Due to all the open space available in the building, a scary and in a way claustrophobic atmosphere is created. The viewer feels the tense atmosphere and the thought of the burglar possibly being everywhere. Our Sequence opens with Lionsgate, a film institution which is generally known for creating movies in a similiar genre. This way, early on in our movie, the viewer is informed and aware of what they can expect.

The second shot shows our main character walking towards her house, leaving the ferrari behind with the core theme playing in the background. Helena is wearing a red dress, highlighting her beauty and the sex-factor where as the ferrari and the big house that are both controlled by her, show another side to her, the powerful one. Her character serves as eye candy and also as active protagonist at the same time. These two elements are juxtaposed to each other and reveal at a early stage that the character is vulnerable.

The third shot and the fourth shot establish the main character's relationship status. The close-up of her ring in shot 3 established that she is married and the family portrait in shot 4 reveals the actual face of her husband and the age difference, hinting at her possibly being a Gold-Digger, a woman who marries older men for their wealth and social status. Although this comforms the usual stereotype of a gold-digging woman, the phone conversation between her and "Teddy-Darling" revealts that she in no way answers to him but in fact stands up to him and loudly expresses her opinion subverting the general stereotype of a submissive wife.

The fifth shot contains of someone looking in from outside, creating a typical thriller vibe as an atmosphere of "Not being alone" is created. Up to that point, the viewer does not know that there is another person in the house which at this point, is hinted at for the first time. As the viewer is not yet aware who the unknown person watching is, a rather creepy and atmosphere is created as it is not clear what intentions the person has.


The sixth and the seventh shot are taken from the shower sequence. The sixth shot

[Task 2] Thriller - Representation of Social Groups

In our Thriller "The Hostage", a strong Mid-Twenty Woman who married an older guy plays the main role, representing Women who marry older men for their money and their wealth. The main character, played by Helena Lageder, is a rather selfish, cold but strong woman, almost a Femme Fatale. This is highlighted at several points during the opening sequence.

[Task 3] Thriller - Film Institution

 

I think the suitable Film Institution for our thriller would be Lionsgate. 

Lionsgate mostly specialises in Thriller and Horror Films, meaning that my Thriller "The Hostage" would fit in very well. The genre of most of Lionsgate's movies are similiar or the same to my movie, for example "Hostel" and "The Eye". It's also fairly common that Lionsgate produces low budget films by first time directors such as "My Little Eye" by Marc Evans.

I would like to ask Lionsgate Films to make my film as they already specialise in Thirller and Horror Films.  Lionsgate ahve also made other films in the similar genre and narrative to The Hostage, such as, Hostel and The Eye. Lionsgate also make low budget films, by first time directors, which is the criteria that my film fits exactly. Lionsgate have made films like that such as, My Little Eye made in 2002.

My film could be marketed really easily, as it is aimed at a mass mainstream market. I believe that i would be able to make money from cinema viewings and DVD. As people may go for a cinema experience to be able to really feel all the emotions of a thriller. Although some people nmay prefer to watch films in the comfortability of their own homes, therefore they will choose the DVD option. It will later be released onto Pay Per View. This will all depend on the cinema sales and total grossing.

This could be aimed at a particular audience of men around the ages of 15 to 25, who drag along their girlfriends to the cinema or make them watch it at home. This film would also make the perfect 'date' movie as it covers all genres, thriller, suspense, drama and some comedy. Therefore making it quite appealling.

[Task 4] Thriller - Target Audience

 

The target audience would be male and inbetween the ages of 15 - 24. Teenagers and young Adults are generally the main age group visiting the cinema. Younger Children also come into this category but due to its thriller content, my film would not be suitable for them.

The average Teenager will be surrounded by other teenagers and as they spend a good amount of time consuming various media platforms, like TV, magazines and the internet, increasing the possibility of being made aware of my movie, then again increasing the possibility of word of mouth, which is one of the most important aspects when it comes to the distribution of a movie. Another point why it is advisable to target a movie to this age group is the financial situation. A lot of young people are financially secured by their parents and don‘t have anything serious to spend their money on which is why they will spend it most likely on entertainment like for instance, the cinema.

The majority of the audience would be male for several reasons. The first being the genre. Thrillers are due to their intimidating, dark and scary content more frequently watched by men as the average woman prefers to watch upbeat films that include themes of romance and comedy as opposed to horror and gore, where as men are known and stereotyped for being into films of that kind. The second reason is the female eyecandy. The female lead, Helena Lageder,  impresses by her good-locks and expensive clothes.

Outside the target audience, I would like to reach girls who admire a woman as a lead, juxtaposed to the picture of the stereotypical submissive and victimized woman that you normally see on TV. Helena Lageder, plays a powerful and strong woman, almost a femme fatal as she knows how to deal with thougher situations and does not mind pulling the trigger if she has to.

[Task 5] Thriller - Ways to attract an Audience

[Task 6] Thriller - Technologies