CR

1. In what ways do your products reflect social groups or social issues? My short film User Not Found reflects the contemporary teenage demographic and social issue of digital communication/privacy. The characters in the film are a group of friends that are engaging in social interactions with each other; however, the majority of their time spent engaging in these social interactions is focused on their phones. Similar to most of the common behaviors of contemporary teens, the characters in the film use texting and social media to engage in social communication with one another, even when they are in the same physical location. The film portrays the characters engaged in social communication while using their phones, to emphasize how technology has changed the manner in which young people engage in social interaction. Additionally, User Not Found addresses the social issue of online anonymity/digital paranoia. The anonymous messages sent to the group are filled with personal/confidential information, and are providing details about the characters' current activities in real-time; therefore, creating feelings of fear/anxiety for the recipients. The portrayal of these anonymous messages being sent to the group is reflective of the concerns many contemporary society members have regarding how easily accessible and/or how personally identifiable information can be online. Many contemporary teens are aware of the potential ease at which their messages/posts/conversations can be accessed and/or monitored by others. The portrayal of this theme demonstrates the fears many teens have with regard to privacy and the dangers of digital communication. Representation is also provided through the film's depiction of the characters as "typical" teenagers that are familiar with technology; however, they do not understand the potential risks associated with the technology. At first, the characters perceive the unknown messages as humorous; however, as the messages begin to provide more personalized/confidential information, the reactions of the characters transition from humorous to confused and fearful. This progression is a reflection of the rapid escalation of digital events and the impact they can have on real-life relationships. Along with the above mentioned themes, the film also portrays the loss of trust within friend groups. As soon as the messages provide the confidential/secret information, the group begins to question/trust one another. The tension created by this is an example of how quickly trust can be lost when secrets are revealed. The final reveal that the person sending the messages is actually one of the individuals in the group, further exemplifies the idea that threats often come from internal sources, and not just external ones. By portraying a group of friends engaged in social communications with technology, User Not Found provides a realistic representation of social behaviors/issues that young viewers are likely to be able to relate to.

2. How do all of the parts of your production come together to produce a "branding"? All of the parts of my production are working together to provide a consistent tone/identity to User Not Found. The branding of the film focuses on three key themes: technology, mystery and suspense. These three themes are reflective of a variety of commonly seen motifs in psychological thrillers. One of the primary elements in the branding of User Not Found is the title itself. The term "User Not Found" generally relates to technology, social media and online accounts. When the viewer reads the title they are given immediate context that something technological and mysterious is happening; this relates to the core plot of the film. In addition, the title creates curiosity and intrigue in the viewer as it suggests that someone or something is absent or hidden. The visual aspects of the film also contribute to the branding. A large portion of the film consists of either phones or text messaging; both of these support the thematic ideas of technology. Close-up shots of phones and/or screens bring attention to the text messages and assist the viewer in relating the messages to the story line. Visuals were used to illustrate the texting/digital communication and relate back to the title and central theme of the film. Lighting and atmosphere are also elements of the branding of User Not Found. To develop the suspense/tension in the film, the atmosphere was developed in a way that is dark. As the story progresses and the messages become more ominous/threatening, the atmosphere becomes increasingly tense. Developing an atmosphere that supports a thriller-type mood and mystery regarding the unknown sender assist in building the overall suspenseful mood of the film. Sound and pacing are also important factors in creating the branding of User Not Found. Moments of suspense are created using pauses, reactions of the characters, and timing of the messages. The pace of the film helps create tension and keeps the viewers focused on what happens next. The sudden appearance of new messages creates additional suspense for the audience and creates the same feelings of uncertainty as the characters. Lastly, the structure of the narrative of User Not Found assists in supporting the branding of the film. The story evolves logically as follows: normal social interaction, the emergence of mysterious messages, the escalating tension among the group, and finally the resolution. The evolution of the story is characteristic of many common tropes used in thriller films, and assist the audience in identifying the genre of the film. Overall, the various elements of User Not Found (the title, focus on phones in visual, lighting, sound, and the narrative structure), function collectively to establish a unified brand for User Not Found as a suspenseful thriller film about technology and secrecy.

3. What do you believe your products will be able to interact with users in terms of the user experience? I believe User Not Found will engage with the audience through a combination of suspense, mystery, and relatability. Most people can imagine themselves receiving random messages at some point in time in their lives, which makes the experience feel quite real and engaging. Through the mystery of the unknown messages in the film, User Not Found connects with the audience. Once an unknown message arrives, the audience begins to question who is sending the messages and why. The curiosity that is generated allows the audience to continue watching to determine who is behind the messages. In addition, the slow reveal of information and the individual experiences of the characters generate suspense and interest for the audience in the resolution of the story. Relatability is another means in which User Not Found engages with the audience. Younger audiences generally have familiarity with texting and group chats, so the notion of receiving strange messages in a group chat is something the audience has a basic understanding of. Since the characters are portrayed as typical teenagers, the audience is able to relate to the reactions and emotions of the characters. USER NOT FOUND creates a sense of dramatic tension in the film that engages the audience. The messages that each character receives reveal what they are doing in real-time, and the characters become more and more paranoid and less trusting of one another. The paranoia and lack of trust that the characters experience creates a level of uncertainty within the film as to who is sending the messages, and the audience is left to try to figure out the same thing. Creating uncertainty for the characters creates a sense of curiosity and speculation for the audience, and creates an opportunity for the audience to develop their own thoughts as to who might be sending the messages. The film’s final twist, which identifies the character who has been sending the messages, is a classic method for engaging the audience at the end of a film. The surprise and the revelation of the identity of the sender of the messages causes a shock to the audience, causing the audience to re-evaluate the entire film and consider all of the elements of the story previously presented in the film. Twist endings are common in thriller movies because they leave the audience with a lasting impression after viewing the movie and make the audience think back over the elements of the story previously presented in the movie. Close-up shots of phones and the reactions of the characters aid in keeping the viewer engaged with the story. The close-ups of phones show the messages being sent and received by the characters, and depict the reactions of the characters when they receive messages. These close-ups help create an emotional connection between the viewer and the story. In conclusion, User Not Found was able to engage the audience using suspenseful moments, relatable situations, mysteries, and a twist that changes the viewer's perspective of the story. Each of these elements allows the viewer to get invested in the story and think about the themes of trust and communication in the digital world.

4. How did your research inform your products (and/or) the manner in which your products utilize (or) challenge the conventions of media? The research I completed was crucial to developing the plot and tone of User Not Found. I researched the conventions of thriller/mystery films, particularly those concerning technology and digital communication. Cell phones/messages/social media have become central elements to the plots of many contemporary thrillers. My desire to base the plot of User Not Found around texting was directly influenced by this fact. Throughout my research, I found that thrillers often build suspense gradually. Thriller films typically initiate with a typical day-to-day situation and introduce an unusual event that disrupts the characters’ lives. I employed this convention in my film by establishing a normal atmosphere with the group of friends and their casual texting, and then introducing an unusual event (the messages), thereby escalating tension. I also found that thrillers frequently employ limited information. Initially, the viewer does not know who is responsible for the events occurring in the film. Utilizing this technique keeps the viewer curious and interested in finding clues to understand the story better. In User Not Found, the identity of the sender is kept anonymous until the end, thus employing this technique to create more suspense and support the theme of distrust. Additionally, my research illustrated that many thrillers include twist endings. Twist endings often shock the viewer and enhance the memorability of a film. I employed this technique by revealing that the sender of the messages is one of the members of the group (versus an outside hacker/outside party), thus supporting the theme of distrust and altering the characters' perceptions. While my film employs some traditional thriller strategies, it also challenges these traditions by focusing on a relatively ordinary, practical setting rather than an elaborate, action-filled scene. The characters' social interactions and psychological fears create the tension, making the film feel more personal and relatable to the viewer. Research into teen media usage also aided my film. Many teens communicate via texting exclusively, so incorporating texting into the plot of the film made it much more believable to the target audience. By showing the characters responding to messages in real-time, the film illustrates how quickly digital communication can affect real-life interpersonal relationships. Overall, my research provided me with knowledge regarding how thriller conventions operate and how to apply them effectively. My research enabled me to develop a narrative that employs familiar genre techniques, yet focuses on socially relevant topics that concern the use of technology and trust.