Genre Research by Caitlyn Stanley

Thriller

Thriller is a genre that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and terror. Films of this genre are usually adrenaline-rushing, gritty, and fast-paced which keeps the audience on the "edge of their seats as the plot builds towards a climax. Literary devices such as plot twists, and cliff-hangers are used extensively.

The primary elements of the thriller genre:

• The protagonist will usually be facing death. 
• The antagonist will initially seem to be the smarter character. 
• The main plotline usually will focus on a mystery that must be solved.
• The film's narrative will usually be the protagonist's point of view.
• There may be a suspenseful and atmospheric soundtrack for the scenes of suspense.
• The protagonist and antagonist may battle each other, not just on a physical level, but on a mental one as well.

Stereotypical characters in a thriller film

• Ordinary citizens (usually the hero/antagonist)
• Innocent victims 
• Criminals
• Stalkers
• Spies 
• Police/Detectives
• Assassin
• Thieves

Genre conventions of thrillers

• Low key lighting
• Quick/Jump cuts - shown in this scene from Shaun of the Dead (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YY6mymW4oA)
• Shadows 
• Tense music e.g - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BeEDQMLtyGY -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCMqHCEhPNM -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UM5bONUMQM- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeu6OEIKwws&index=6&list=PLUxc0pGFdGiEO4I-gLJvidgoOHPMwAgFE

• Change in the angle of shots
• Diegetic sounds of breathing, footsteps etc. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q9xH-54Oi4w
• Montage of shots

Cinematography

POV shots are commonly used as they allow the audience to view the situation from the characters perspective. Close ups are used so you can see the characters expressions which allows the audience to empathise, also they can help to guide the narrative. Low and high angle shots are used to show dominance in a scene, to clearly present to the audience who has the power. Hand-held camera shots create a sense of chaos within scenes so are used in Thriller films to confuse the audience.

Editing

Fast paced/Quick cuts are used in Thriller films as they create tension, suspense and a sense of franticness as it quickens the pace at which the audience view the shots. Also jump cuts are commonly used so the audience can be aware of other things happening for the film to make sense. Cross cutting is also used as another way to build up tension, as a tense atmosphere is vital for the Thriller genre. A fade out to black is often used when someone is injured or dying, to build up suspense as the audience don’t know what is going to happen next. Flashbacks can be used to confuse the audience and also give context to events happening in the present.

Music/Sound

Fast paced music is often used in Thriller films as it exaggerates the scene, makes it more dramatic, and builds up tension to a big event that’s about to happen. The silence technique is often use din Thriller films, where there is no diegetic or non-diegetic sound used at all to build up suspense and mystery. Also there is the use of slow no-diegetic music at the start of a scene when the characters movement is slow, then as movement gets faster the tempo and speed builds up to then match the action in the scene. Also the use of emphasised diegetic sound like footsteps is used to create realism in Thriller films.

Mise-en scene

The location for a Thriller film is usually set in a woods as they create a sense of being lost. Woods are often isolated too, which creates a sense of vulnerability, they can also use confined spaces which makes the audience feel as if they are trapped too and often leads to the start of the protagonists struggle as they try to break free. Low key lighting is used for an edgy effect. Also Chiaroscuro is commonly used as it creates a sense of mystery.

Iconography means symbolic representations, which often has a conventional meaning attached to an image or object. Iconography is very important as it is part of the mise-en-scene and therefore helps to construct certain messages for the audience. Examples of iconography in a Thriller film are knives, guns, blood, shadows, dark clothing for the antagonist and light clothing for the protagonist, woods.

Examples of thriller films

• Panic room
• Psycho
• Se7en
• Shutter island
• Silence of the lambs