The Thriller Genre.

1. The Thriller Genre. Amber Barnes

2. Genre. The film genre is placing particular films into categories like horror , action, thriller, comedy, adventure and sci-fi.

3. Thriller Genre. A thriller is a film that focuses on the plot in which the villain presents obstacles for the hero to overcome. A thriller promotes the idea of a Good VS. Evil conflict to emphasize and show the danger in the story. A film of this genre create atmosphere of suspense and tension, the tension increases when characters find themselves increasingly in action scenes like car chases. Thrillers use literary devices like plot twists, cliff-hangers, red herrings to allow the audience to feel the anticipation, adrenaline and expectation without the danger of being involved.

4. Narrative Conventions. Most thrillers portray the film form the protagonists point of view so that we can follow the progress of the hero as they seek to overcome the obstacles placed in their way. This allows the audience to emphasize with the protagonist and marvel in the thrills and suspense of the events in the film. Thrillers increasingly use action sequences like car chases to keep the suspense/ adrenaline so that the film can build to a dramatic climax while also keeping us guessing. The audience seem to understand the plot to a point, we understand what's going on through the conversations in the film but we never get all our questions answered but we never get the full story until the end. This allows thrillers to retain an air of mystery. Common narrative conventions in thrillers are – mirrors, low key lighting, shadows, black and white colours, obtrusive editing, quick shots, changing camera shots and tension music, flashbacks and photos.

5. Character representation. In thriller movies the hero of the story is either someone familiar with violence i.e. In their job description like a cop. Or the hero is completely unfamiliar with violence and are normal citizens who decide to defeat the villain. villains in thrillers have a major role as a thriller is about the hero overcoming the obstacles set by the villain of the story , without them their would be no story. Villains can also be normal citizens.

6. Mise-En-Scene. • In thrillers the films are normally set in cities, the locations are dark and isolated to portray the dark side of city and the undercurrent of crime. The settings show the moral disorder in the films. Thrillers often use establishing shots to emphasize locations and how alone the characters are. Although they are often set in cities thrillers can be set anywhere, it’s the ideas and themes that are important to a thriller . • Props in thrillers contribute to the narrative, they often reveal information about the characters. Some thrillers use personal objects to identify them as the dead body. In “Brick” the bangles from the body identify the person who is going to be murdered when they are still alive. The props fit the style, they give the audience an idea of the sub-genre like in “Goodfellas” the guns give away its a gangster movie. • Thrillers use costumes to show the contrast in characters like in “Goodfellas” where the gangsters are wearing smart suits identifying them as criminals , while the victim wears a white robe to symbolise purity. • Thrillers use dark cinematography to reflect the theme of thrillers and blending into dark, isolated locations. Thrillers are de-saturated in colour compared to a comedy or romcom this reflects the genre showing society in a negative way. The lighting in thrillers s often in shadow to show the inner darkness of the villains creating tension. • Body language and facial expressions give hints to the plot. If on the screen we see a person who looks paranoid we assume them to be in danger, in “Brick” the girl calls and talks to the lead in a payphone giving us the idea of paranoia about who would hear the conversation. The facial expressions of characters in thrillers show them to be a victim or a villain- the emotions give away what their feeling during the action of the film and whether they are involved in what was happening.

7. Sub-genres. The most common sub-genres of thriller are...... Crime Thriller – Narrative of crimes (extensive use of action sequences) Mystery Thriller – Hero tries to solve a mystery. Psychological Thriller – internal conflict i.e. Emotions and state of min. Supernatural – Plot intertwines with supernatural elements like vampires and werewolves ( Increases suspense and tension). Conspiracy Thriller - Hero confronts a group of villains.

8. Psychological Thriller. Common elements in a psychological thriller are obsessions, a sense of confinement/ entrapment, mind games, inner turmoil – i.e. State of mind and control of emotions. Characters in a psychological thriller rely n their mental strength not their physical to defeat the villain of the story. Psychological thrillers use visuals to try and convey the villains thoughts showing them to be disturbed.

9. Camerawork and editing. Thrillers mainly use quick, obtrusive editing to accentuate the feeling of suspense. Obtrusive editing is mostly used at the height of the action sequence to intensify key things. Thrillers use long shots to establish the location, they often emphasize that the characters are alone and isolated creating a sense of claustrophobia. Thrillers use a lot of medium close-ups to show characters emotions, medium close-ups show us how the characters react to the situation. Close-ups show the characters eyes, eyes are the windows to the soul , so we get a lose-up and van guess whether they are a hero or a villain. Medium close-up shot.

10. Sound/ music. Thrillers often emphasize the tiniest sounds whether it be creaky floorboards or the wind. Music in thrillers match the idea of a thriller i.e. To give he audience thrills. The music is almost always slow and eerie building up towards the climax. The music in “Se7en” uses orchestral score which captures the depressed mood of the film and show society in a negative light.

11. Audience expectations. Viewers expect to be thrilled and startled, while viewers are following action scenes where the audience follows a character under threat from something off screen. Viewers expect quick camera movements to add unease and people expect to hear sounds and music building in tempo as the threat grows nearer – fearful anticipation. The audience are shocked by twists in the plot or by overwhelming intensity of an action i.e. Extensive blood loss.

12. Target audience based on film classification. Thrillers are generally not as graphic in content as horror films, although they are not as graphic they can be just as scary. Most thrillers are given a certificate rating of a 15 or 18. A 15 thriller should not go into detail about pain or injury, sex, recurring violence and strong language. Whereas a thriller which is an 18 contains strong use of all of the above. “Se7en” was classified as n 18 due to its graphic use of violence and blood of the killings. “Hostage” was classified as a 15 because the violence wasn’t as graphic as other thrillers like “Se7en”.

13. Similar products. “Se7en” opening sequence. Genre – Psychological thriller Target audience – adults due to graphic imagery. The opening sequence shows the Villain of the story writing in a book about the murders. The sequence allows the audience to get inside the killers mind which makes the film more intense when we finally put a face to the mind of the killer. The camera shots in the opening sequence cuts to images of being inside the killers mind, we experience what he does. For example when the camera cuts to him writing in his book or him cutting of his finger tips. The music puts the audience on edge and matches the slanted lettering on screen. The words imitate the killers writing in the book giving the idea of a calculated killer. “Se7en” gave me the idea of giving away certain details of the killers personality i.e. His killing techniques, so that the movie has an atmosphere of suspense .

14. “Silence of the lambs” opening sequence. Genre – Thriller Audience – adults due to graphic imagery. Opening sequence shows a woman running through the forest as the opening sequence lengthens we discover she is an F.B.I. The forest gives characters isolation and the forest is given a creepy feel as the scene is misty and dark. The lighting changes in the sequence, at the beginning the lighting is set on a blue theme but as the characters enter into an office. The colours take on a more natural feel maybe to show the seriousness of what they are talking about. The sequence seems to show the woman standing out in a mans world. The music has an orchestral score which puts the audience on edge. The sequence frequently uses diegetic sounds i.e. Gun shots.

15. Initial ideas. Psychological thriller. Opening sequence – image of a man sitting in a dark room- camera close-up of face in shadows. Camera pans across the room revealing the room to be small with photos scattered around and a shelf of personal items like rings and bracelets. The camera closes in on the items and then zooms out to reveal the villain taking pictures of people outside as a memento/ reminder of his next victim. I got some inspiration from “Se7en” and in ours I want to also show them mind of the killer to add to the suspense of finally meeting him face to face. Establishing shot of man in shadow light seeping in through window.

16. Bibliography. www.wikipedia.org www.bbfc.co.uk