Thriller Film ResearchSummary

Conventions of the Genre

The thriller film genre uses several key points of convention which can be found in the variety of sub-genres. This includes: Dark colour schemes and low-key lighting to connote mystery and suspense Themes of isolation which shows the character as vulnerable in comparison to the antagonist. Props such as guns which are used to signify terror therefore, creating suspense and tension. Distressed appearance Settings that depict a normal and everyday environment, therefore adding to the suspense as the action is unexpected. Suspense and fear Tension Constant twists in the plot Protagonist vs. Antagonist. With the antagonist initially having control over the situation and the power shifting half-way to feature the protagonist

in control. Narrative dominated by the protagonists point of view, showing the problem that the protagonist must overcome. The point of view of the

antagonist is shown in some varieties of Thriller as this allows the audience to have more information on the character and can build empathy with both the hero and the villain,

Eventual domination over the antagonist - Justice Conventionally represent injustice and the battle between good and evil Clear sense of pursuit between the protagonist and the antagonist, creating suspense and tension Eventual recognition of why the antagonist has acted in a certain way, normally due to a connection with the protagonist such as the want for

revenge.

Conventions of the Form

Film trailers are specifically designed to create a snapshot of the film, in order to attract the target audience. In doing this the key elements of the film are shown without revealing too much of the plot, so that the audience will be interested in finding out what happens in the film.Additionally, conventions of film trailers include: Production information and Credits in order to provide the audience with additional information about the film background. Captions in order to add to the suspense and tension. This also gives the film a professional appearance. Main stars and directors displayed on the trailer in order to make the film instantly recognisable to their previous work and lets the audience

know what they can expect to see within the film. Variety of locations which show the different characters and situation which the film is involved in. Production companies can create more than one trailer for a film, although these all feature the same conventional points Creates an immediate interest to the film Voice over draws in the attention of the audience

The production information featuring the Warner Bros logo ensures that the film production is instantly recognisable. Additionally, the logo is adapted in order to suit the genre of the film. Conventionally the Thriller film genre is displayed with a logo like the one on the left as this has the conventional distressed, mysterious and dark look

Variety of locations

Technical Elements: Camera WorkThriller films conventionally adapt the use of different types of camera work to demonstrate an immediate change in the situation. This can be specifically seen within the Thriller film Inception which uses shot types such as a : Canted angle, Close-up, Wide Shot, Two-Shot and

Wide-shot to demonstrate the different situations.

Close-up shotThis shot shows the key features of the subject within the scene. This is used to emphasise the characters key details and expressions, therefore showing their emotions towards what is happening.

Two-ShotThe two-shot is used within the scene in order to establish a relationship or connection between the two characters. Within this scene, it is used to demonstrate the similar situation the characters are in. However, the scene also highlights their differences such as their gender, age and clothing.

Canted Angle ShotThe Canted-Angle shot shows the situation as unusual signifying that something has happened to change this. This type of shot is conventional lyused to show distress, a key theme in Thrillers.

Wide-Angle ShotThe wide-shot places the subject in the middle of the frame so that the audience are able to identify the situation surrounding them.

Mid-ShotThe mid-shot allows the audience to view the elements of mise-en-scene such as the characters clothing and

the prop of the gun. Therefore allowing the audience to see what type of person the character is.

Technical Elements: Editing

Thrillers conventionally use editing techniques to increase elements of suspense and tension. This can be seen through elements such as the use of reactions shots which are designed to highlight the characters reaction when they are approached by the antagonist. Additionally, cut always emphasise what is happening around the situation in an alternative scene, conventionally, one scene is shown to be chaotic whereas, another demonstrates calm, everyday life adding to the twists and suspense within the plot. In addition, the titles and captions on the film trailer are designed to emphasise the narrative of the film. These create suspense and tension through their quick and catchy phrases, conventionally these also fade to black to emphasise the scene has ended.

Technical Elements: Mise-en-scene

Technical Elements: Sound

CostumesConventionally the characters within Thrillers are shown to have a smart appearance which suggests the characters personality and role. However, costumes also highlight the differences between the character. This can be specifically seen in Se7en. In the still the characters costumes are shown to be in contrast as the older man is shown wearing an old looking detective jacket whereas the younger man is shown in casual clothing which is covered in dust. Therefore, showing the contrasts in the personality, which creates mystery for the audience concerning the characters personality.

Props and SettingConventionally, Thrillers are set in a normal everyday environment such as a house as this adds to the suspense of the action as it shows the antagonist disturbing the normality. In addition when there is a chase scene within the film small confined spaces are normally used to signify entrapment and isolation. Furthermore, props within the scene aid with the narrative of the film and can provide information about the characters personality. Guns are conventionally used within Thrillers as these symbolise danger.

LightingThrillers conventionally use low-key lighting in order to create a dark or sombre atmosphere. This creates tension as the audience are unaware of what could be happening in the surrounding of the character. Additionally, low-key lighting or extreme-low-key lighting can create a dark and menacing atmosphere to a scene.

Thrillers feature the use of elements such as ambient sound in order to increase tension and panic within the situation. Scream incorporates the use of asychronous background through the girls screaming when the titles appear which allows the audience to instantly recognise the nature of the film genre. Additionally, voice overs on a trailer draws the audiences attention as the trailer is directly addressing them.

Target Audience

The target audience for my Thriller trailer is males and females aged predominately 15-19, with 80% of the people which I surveyed being within this age group. However, due to the broad amount of sub-genre’s featured within Thrillers, the trailer could also appeal to those younger and older than this age group.Thrillers appeal to both male and female audiences and a variety of social classes conventionally through the use of relatable characters and themes throughout the film.The target audience would also be interested in modern life and technologies, this is linked the Thriller film genre which conventionally influenced by real-life events.A key point of Thrillers that interests my target audience is the use of suspense and tension. This can be specifically seen with psychological thrillers which uses constant twists in plot to keep the audience on the edge of their seat.

Overall, Thrillers appeal to a wide-audience and the large variety of sub-genres means that the Thriller genre can easily relate to a range of audiences.

Appeal to target audience

A key appeal for the target audience of Thrillers is character which they can relate to and build a rapport with as the narrative continues. This can be seen in Scream which aimed to appeal mainly to a young adult audience. Through using a mainly teenage cast, each with their own individual story the audience was able to relate to the characters and therefore become more interested in the film and what happened to the characters.

Within my research survey, I was able to find out that other than Thrillers the audience was interested in the Horror film genre. This could be due to the similar conventions of the genre, both of which contain suspense, fear, mystery and a gloomy atmosphere.

A key element within Thrillers is the theme of disguise which creates mystery within the film. The disguise is conventionally used on the antagonist characters so that the audience are unaware of what the character is like. This can be found in Thrillers such as Scream, Purge and The Black Swan which all use disguise to create suspense within the film.

Within my research, the target audience for my Thriller believed that the Conventions of a Thriller film included: Suspense and Tension, Constant twists, Dramatic Atmosphere, Scary, Keeps you on the edge of your seat, A cold feeling conveyed and the Constant Shocks within the plot

Within my research, the target audience for my Thriller believed that the Conventions of a Thriller film included: Suspense and Tension, Constant twists, Dramatic Atmosphere, Scary, Keeps you on the edge of your seat, A cold feeling conveyed and the Constant Shocks within the plot

The most appealing Thriller sub-genre were: psychological thriller, supernatural thriller and spy thriller. All of each feature the key themes of mystery and suspense