Thursday 31 October 2013

Thriller Conventions


Sub-genres

Examples of Thriller sub-genre:



Sub-genre

Example

Convention

Action

Speed

Explosions, violence

Crime

The Silence of the Lambs

Sometimes from P.O.V of criminal, sometimes from P.O.V of protagonist working against them

Psychological

The Sixth Sense

Conflict is mental, not so much physical. Situation could damage sanity of protagonist

Conspiracy

FlightPlan

Confronting a powerful organisation

Disaster

Poseidon

Enormous disaster takes place

Eco

The Day After Tomorrow

Protagonist has to stop a threat to the environment

Legal

Cape Fear

Based in courtroom, lawyers

Medical

Contagion

A virus spreads

Mystery

Fight Club

Someone or something has to be found

Political

The Constant Gardener

Government is involved

Religious

The Da Vinci Code

Myths, religion, religious objects

Romantic

True Romance

A relationship grows between two of the leading characters

Spy

Skyfall

Adventures involving agents, gadgets

Supernatural

Inception

Psychic skills, good vs. evil, ghosts, vampires

Sci-fi

Alien

Aliens, perhaps imaginary ideas, futuristic

Dystopian

Rosemary’s Baby

Rebellion, oppression, an environment or situation similar to hell, post-apocalypse for example
 







Camera Work

Establishing shot-location

Mid-shot- characterisation

Close-ups- Disorientation/claustrophobia


Composition and framing:

Key props, framing creates suspense

 

Use of camera movement/angles:

High/low angle shots to show power/status

Use of perspective- 1st/3rd person:

1st person=empathy

Editing

Dual narrative- shows complex narrative/ tension

as story converges. Editing- straight cuts- pace=tension.

Use of flashbacks.

Thriller Opening Conventions

Drama: Tension

Use of music

Titles- name of film-actors/directors; company name

Confusing questions

One significant event  

 

 

Sound

Use ambient sounds- music/noises- fade in/out= atmosphere.

Diegetic/non-diegetic.

Voice over to create back story

Avoid dialogue

 

 

 

Mise-en-scene

Setting- realistic, isolated

Costume- realism

Weapons-realism, everyday items

Lighting- Shadows etc.

Actors- males-Protagonists/Antagonist

 

 

Narrative

Disorientating- Starting halfway through an event- audience questions

Chronological?- flashbacks/forward

 


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