Genre case study
Thriller
Genre research: Thriller
A thriller film usually consists of a battle between the protagonist and the antagonist, when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. Then the story/film consists of bad events that builds tension and suspense for the climax, the aim of the protagonist is to restore things back to normality, whilst the antagonist seeks to destroy it.
Our short film will be about a girl named Emily who has a friend called Jade. Emily and Jade were best friends for a long time when Jade tragically dies, Emily is certain that Jade is still alive which is why Emily still 'talks' to her and still believes she is alive. Emily visits a therapy for treatment and see if she can get better, Jade doesn't like the fact Emily is getting help and being treated in which way Jade tries to prevent this in any way she can.
Conventions of a thriller
Conventions of a thriller
- Montage of shots
- Shadows
- Tension music
- Changes in angle of shots
- Black and white shots
- Quick cuts
- Low key lighting
- Sounds of heavy breathing
Character types
The protagonist usually includes a brave person who seeks to restore the equilibrium
The antagonist normally will have a secret/hidden identity, this identity will usually be discovered as the film progresses and the antagonist usually seeks revenge from a past event.
Mise en scene
The location in films is important for the audience to understand what genre the film is and also to help them figure out what it could be about. The location in our film will be based in parks, bedrooms and offices. This is to give the audience the mental/disturbed thoughts of the characters.
Costumes in these genre of films are dark, dirty ripped clothes, these type of clothes are usually on the antagonist to give them a scary horror look, and to point out to the audience who is good and who is bad. The protagonist normally wears everyday clothes just to simply show the audience they are the 'normal one' and to tell them that they are the protagonist.
Makeup and hairstyles are another important thing for films simply because it easily tells the audience who is who and who is good and who is bad. The antagonists makeup & hairstyles are usually dark coloured makeup and messy/dark hair, this is to point out to the audience and let them know who is who. The protagonist is usually a normal looking person, who has nice/neat looked after hair with no makeup.
History & Development
In 1926 Alfred Hitchcock released his first thriller 'The Lodger'. a silent thriller that followed a Jack The Ripper plot. The thriller movies released in this time period could be said to be the most thriller films produced, they used techniques that are widely recognized as the codes and conventions of the thriller genre. Through the repetition of the codes and conventions, it is now clear to any audience if a film fits into the thriller genre.
Thrillers in the 1940s
In the 1940s Hitchcock continued to release suspense-thrillers:
Foreign correspondent (1940)
Rebecca (1940)
Saboteur (1942)
Shadow of a doubt (1943)
George Cukors directed psychological thriller called 'Gaslight' in 1944
Thriller films (1950)
In the 1950s Alfred Hitchcock made a massive change to the thriller genre. He added technicolour to his thrillers, they were no longer in black and white. He also added a touch of glamour to his films, by casting ice blondes to play the leading ladies.
Hitchcock films in the 50s
Other films released in the 1950s-1960s
Thrillers (1970 - 1980s)
Thriller films in this era began to edge closer to the horror genre, adding violence to the mix, while maintaining the clear difference between two genres.
Thriller films released in this era
During the 21st century the thriller genre moved closer towards the horror genre. Films contained more blood and gore deaths. Also combining codes and conventions of action movies. Instead of re-using plots from old thriller movies, they decided to modernise the plots. They did this by adding plots that involved government conspiracy, terrorism and large world-wide issues
Hitchcock played a massive part in the development of the thriller genre. His first film 'The Lodger' was the basis for all thriller films, he introduced many of the codes and conventions still used today. His film 'Vertigo' a famous thriller continued to use the classic elements that created a good thriller film. His films contained many 'thrills' throughout and often ended with a shock twist.
Alfred Hitchcock is famous for his direction and production of classic thrillers. He has a distinct way of filming, using the cinematography to extenuate the emotions and create suspense, tension and anticipation.
Key changes to the Thriller Genre
Over the course of time there have been many changes made to the genre. For example the stereotypical plots, although still used, have a modern twist. Often including situations relevant to modern society. For example 'Unknown' or 'Taken', including government or terrorist based plots. As time progressed, music and sounds were used too 'Heighten the viewers mood', too make them feel tense and to create suspense.
Lighting and colour also became available to the directors, this allowed them to used dark, shadowing lighting to emphasis the dark side to characters.
Key players in thriller films
Frank Grillo is well known for being the main character in 'The Purge' he is shown as being a hero, brave and noble. In this film he comes across many different challenges and tasks he has to do. The films story is basically about one night a year in america where all crime is legal, this meaning people going out to murder and others hiding to survive. Frank Grillos part in the film is to get revenge on someone who killed his son. This relates to thriller as it always keeps you on edge and wondering what happens next, it can also relate to thriller as there is lots of blood and violence during the film.
Dylan O'Brien is also known for starring in the films 'Maze runner' and 'Maze runner the scorch trails'. In this film Dylan O'Brein is the main character and presented as the "leader", he is shown as very brave and loyal to his friends. In the film he is known for peoples hope of getting out, the film involves lots of violent deaths and a battle between the good and bad.
Directors
Brain De Palma is a well known american director and screenwriter. He is considered as part of the new hollywood wave of film making. In a career spanning over 40 years, he is best known for his suspense, psychological thriller and crime films. Brain De Palma was the director of the film 'Passion' in 2012.
Target Audience
The target audience for most thriller films are 18+, this is because they include lots of violence and psychological issues which can be disturbing for many young viewers. There are usually warnings on the DVD covers or at start of the films which states why they are rated that age and tells them that it contains extreme violence or sexual scenes etc.
The target audience of our film will be aiming around 16-18 males and females who enjoy thriller films.
Films with similar target audience
'Vacancy' directed by Nimrod Antal
'Memento' directed by Christopher Nolan
'Fatal Attraction' directed by Adrian Lyne
'Rear Window' directed by Mary Harron
This research will inform in our own film as it is a thriller film and it will be aimed to the same target audience as many other thriller films. This research will be helpful for our film because we have researched the different story lines that are used in thriller films and what kind of camera angles we have to use. I have also researched good actors that are featured in thriller films and what part they do so it gives me an idea of the characters i want in my film. The main research i did was codes and conventions of thriller films, i thought it would be helpful to research this as it would tell me the important things i need in my film and i would know what to include in my film.
Thrillers in the 1940s
In the 1940s Hitchcock continued to release suspense-thrillers:
Foreign correspondent (1940)
Rebecca (1940)
Saboteur (1942)
Shadow of a doubt (1943)
George Cukors directed psychological thriller called 'Gaslight' in 1944
Thriller films (1950)
In the 1950s Alfred Hitchcock made a massive change to the thriller genre. He added technicolour to his thrillers, they were no longer in black and white. He also added a touch of glamour to his films, by casting ice blondes to play the leading ladies.
Hitchcock films in the 50s
- Stranger on a train (1951)
- Dial M for murder (1954)
- Rear window (1954)
- To catch a thief (1955)
- Vertigo (1958)
Other films released in the 1950s-1960s
- The nigh of the hunter (1955) - Charles Laughton
- Touch of evil (1958) - Orson Welles
- Cape fear (1962) J. Lee Thompson
Thrillers (1970 - 1980s)
Thriller films in this era began to edge closer to the horror genre, adding violence to the mix, while maintaining the clear difference between two genres.
Thriller films released in this era
- Frenzy (1972) Alfred Hitchcock
- Duel (1971) Steven Spielberg
- Play Misty for me (1972) Clint Eastwood
- Deliverance (1971) Clint Eastwood
- Dont look now (1973) Nicolas Roeg
- Misery (1990) Rob Reiner
- Sleeping with the enemy (1991)
- The hand that rocks the cradle (1992) Curtis Hanson
- Unlawful Entry (1992)
- Single white female (1992) Barbet Schroeder
- Malice (1993) Harold Becker
- The talented Mr Ripley (1999) Anthony Minghella
During the 21st century the thriller genre moved closer towards the horror genre. Films contained more blood and gore deaths. Also combining codes and conventions of action movies. Instead of re-using plots from old thriller movies, they decided to modernise the plots. They did this by adding plots that involved government conspiracy, terrorism and large world-wide issues
- Eden lake (2008)
- The last house on the left (2009)
- P2 (2007)
- Captivity (2007)
- Funny games (2008)
- Ride (2001)
- Unknown (2011)
- Hostage (2005)
- Cellular (2006)
- A history of violence (2005)
- Firewall (2006)
Hitchcock played a massive part in the development of the thriller genre. His first film 'The Lodger' was the basis for all thriller films, he introduced many of the codes and conventions still used today. His film 'Vertigo' a famous thriller continued to use the classic elements that created a good thriller film. His films contained many 'thrills' throughout and often ended with a shock twist.
Alfred Hitchcock is famous for his direction and production of classic thrillers. He has a distinct way of filming, using the cinematography to extenuate the emotions and create suspense, tension and anticipation.
Key changes to the Thriller Genre
Over the course of time there have been many changes made to the genre. For example the stereotypical plots, although still used, have a modern twist. Often including situations relevant to modern society. For example 'Unknown' or 'Taken', including government or terrorist based plots. As time progressed, music and sounds were used too 'Heighten the viewers mood', too make them feel tense and to create suspense.
Lighting and colour also became available to the directors, this allowed them to used dark, shadowing lighting to emphasis the dark side to characters.
Key players in thriller films
- Actors
- Directors
- Producers
Frank Grillo is well known for being the main character in 'The Purge' he is shown as being a hero, brave and noble. In this film he comes across many different challenges and tasks he has to do. The films story is basically about one night a year in america where all crime is legal, this meaning people going out to murder and others hiding to survive. Frank Grillos part in the film is to get revenge on someone who killed his son. This relates to thriller as it always keeps you on edge and wondering what happens next, it can also relate to thriller as there is lots of blood and violence during the film.
Dylan O'Brien is also known for starring in the films 'Maze runner' and 'Maze runner the scorch trails'. In this film Dylan O'Brein is the main character and presented as the "leader", he is shown as very brave and loyal to his friends. In the film he is known for peoples hope of getting out, the film involves lots of violent deaths and a battle between the good and bad.
Directors
Brain De Palma is a well known american director and screenwriter. He is considered as part of the new hollywood wave of film making. In a career spanning over 40 years, he is best known for his suspense, psychological thriller and crime films. Brain De Palma was the director of the film 'Passion' in 2012.
Target Audience
The target audience for most thriller films are 18+, this is because they include lots of violence and psychological issues which can be disturbing for many young viewers. There are usually warnings on the DVD covers or at start of the films which states why they are rated that age and tells them that it contains extreme violence or sexual scenes etc.
The target audience of our film will be aiming around 16-18 males and females who enjoy thriller films.
Films with similar target audience
'Vacancy' directed by Nimrod Antal
'Memento' directed by Christopher Nolan
'Fatal Attraction' directed by Adrian Lyne
'Rear Window' directed by Mary Harron
This research will inform in our own film as it is a thriller film and it will be aimed to the same target audience as many other thriller films. This research will be helpful for our film because we have researched the different story lines that are used in thriller films and what kind of camera angles we have to use. I have also researched good actors that are featured in thriller films and what part they do so it gives me an idea of the characters i want in my film. The main research i did was codes and conventions of thriller films, i thought it would be helpful to research this as it would tell me the important things i need in my film and i would know what to include in my film.
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