CCR question 1

Q1: "How does your product use or challenge conventions and how does it represent social views/issues?"

Our film User Error fits into the thriller horror genre, which combines suspense and fear to create tension. Thriller horror movies often make audiences feel nervous and worried about what might happen next, usually because of some mysterious danger lurking around the MC. Instead of using monsters or ghosts (which are typically used in these genres) our film uses a common element ,technology, as the scary.

Genre and Conventions

In a thriller horror, audiences expect things like tension and uneasiness coming from a rising danger/threat which create unpredictable events and usually there's also an isolation of the main character(s) to up the suspense. Our film uses many of these conventions with Stacy being alone in her house at night with just her computer and phone. There are also Unpredictable tech malfunctions such as the blender turning on by itself or the electric door lock not working. But what we don't include/challenge is gore or supernatural elements since the fear comes from something realistic (technology). Our setting is also normal since instead of dark forests or abandoned places, our setting is a normal suburban house. We didn't want it to be your typical horror movie, we wanted it to feel real, as if this could actually happen to you in the real world.

Even though these choices are different from typical horror, they still create fear because they feel real. This works well with the thriller horror genre, which often explores fear tied to psychological or emotional stress.

Representation of Social Views/Issues

User Error represents real social issues that many teens experience today, especially involving technology.

Technology VS. Teen Life

The film shows how much technology influences teen lives. Stacy spends most of the beginning it's the film opening scrolling, checking notifications, and taking video calls. This reflects how teens today often rely on technology for communication and social status. Through the sequence, it shows how much information we give to our computers and the internet, especially as clueless teens. And though the tech in our film starts out helpful, it could also very well become frightening, using all of that information we trusted our technology with against us. Research by the Pew Research Center found that a majority of teens post personal information like photos, status updates, and location check-ins on social media, and many don’t adjust their privacy settings. This means more of their personal life is accessible to strangers or large tech companies than they might expect. (https://pewrsr.ch/4lI0k4x). This tendency to share on social platforms contributes to issues of identity and self-image because teens often present idealized versions of themselves online to gain approval through likes, comments, and followers. Another study indicates that constant sharing and comparing lives on social media can increase feelings of anxiety and lower self-esteem, especially when teens compare themselves to others’ highlight reels rather than real life. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40520349/)

User Error also represents how technology affects teen self-image and emotional wellbeing. Our film opening shows Stacy constantly connected checking messages, responding to FaceTime calls, and depending on tech to validate her social life. This reflects the social issue that many teens face the which is that the internet can make teens feel like they have to fit in or be seen in a certain way. It can create anxiety, insecurity, and fear of missing out. Research on teens and social media shows this is a real cultural concern. For example, a large study found that many teens say social media makes people feel worse about their own life and can make them feel overwhelmed by drama and pressure to post popular content. This reflects the idea that technology can negatively affect self-esteem and how teens perceive themselves. ( https://pewrsr.ch/4lI0k4x) Another scientific article states that digital platforms introduce risks such as compulsive social media use and unrealistic beauty standards, which are linked to self-esteem challenges and behaviors like body dissatisfaction. This supports the idea that teens can compare themselves to idealized online images, contributing to insecurity. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40520349/)