Research Task One

Eden Goodall

Genre - As a Concept

Comedy- Laughter- Happiness- Joy

Thriller- Tension

Musical- Joy- Happiness

Romance- Sadness- Happiness - Joy

Western- Triumph- Thrill

The Thriller genre – A definition. Thriller: This is a genre that revolves around anticipation and suspense. The aim of a Thriller is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats throughout the film. There is usually a Protagonist and a Antagonist. The Protagonist is faced with a problem or they need to escape, complete a mission etc. No matter what type of sub genre that the Thriller has, the Protagonist will always face some sort of danger. These are usually a anti hero. The Antagonist is the Villain and we always cause some sort of problem for the antagonist. The tension with the main problem in the film is built up throughout the film and it always leads to a highly stressful climax, leaving the audience almost exhausted with suspense.

History of GenreGenre changed and developed because of changes in the culture or historical period in which the genre was being produced. Genres gained popularity with certain audiences wanting to see a certain type of film so for example in the 1940s, Western films were extremely popular. During The Great Depression, audiences would go to the cinema to see the Hollywood romantic comedies, so that they could escape the reality of everyday life. During the 1900s when an increased production in film was happening. Film studios needed to attract large audiences in order to return the millions that they invested in high production films and so these big companies turned to safe and familiar genres.

Hybrids and Sub GenreHybrid: This is also known as a ‘cross genre’ and it is a genre that blends themes and elements from two or more different genres. For Example a Romantic Comedy like The Sex and The City films.

Sub Genre: This a genre within a genre. For example In the Thriller Genre you can have a Spy Thriller or Horror Thriller etc.

CharacterisationA. Narrative conventions Narrative conventions is difficult to define because it covers a wide range of film for example science fiction, gangster, crime, horror and psychological. There is often a crime at the core of the narrative. The narrative will twist and turn to keep the audience guessing about what will happen next. The plot builds towards a climax. Thrillers have restricted narration, most questions are unanswered until the end of the film. In a Thriller Heist there is a usually a crime at the core of the film for example in the film Spring Breakers the main characters rob a restaurant as they want to get money for their Spring Break adventure.

B. Character representationAntagonist: Unintelligent but psychologically challenged. Usually are convicts, criminals, stalkers, assassins, serial killers, kidnappers, terrorists etc. For example Tom Cruise in Collateral.Protagonist: Alienated hero, heroic but unsure, uneasy hero, flawed character, usually the anti hero. These types of characters are usually innocent victims, characters with dark pasts, cops or ex cops etc. For example Jamie Foxx in Collateral.

C. Mise-en-sceneSettingGeographical – Location in areaPsychological – Emotional response For example: Horror – In a familiar location, a safe place like a hospital, unexpected conflictIn thrillers they are often set in quite normal places like in a City or town, like in the film Colleteral is set in Dowtown LA.

Costume and Make up Historical context Futuristic Social Status Character situation and changes Example: Costume can be used to define the type of character the actor is playing, for example in Collateral, Tom Cruise is wearing a suit to show he is important where as Jamie Foxx is dressed more casual as he is a taxi driver.

Figure Expression/ Body language Eye contact Emotions Gestures Body Posture Proxemics – Social distance between characters Example: The girl in The Ring is holds her head down at the beginning of the film with her hair covering her face to create a sense of mystery and to keep the audience guessing as to what she really looks like.

Lighting and Colour Different colours for different types of meanings to different people Generates mood and atmosphere High Key – Bright Sets Low Key – Dark/ High Contrast Example: In a thriller, the lighting would have to be Low Key so its very dark to add to the tense atmosphere. Much like in the film Pyscho which always has very low lighting to add to the effect that the Bates Motel is a bad place.

Props Objects to contribute to narrative, For example a gun when they talk about shooting. Props to indicate genre, For example a bloody knife in a horror. Things to offer information about a character, for example a cigarette for a smoker. The Décor, For Example in a period piece you would have no mobile phones.For example: In ‘Collateral’ Tom Cruise holds a briefcase throughout the film which keeps the audience guessing and wondering what he’s really about.

ConstructionA. CameraworkThis is very important as it can be used to create specific feelings and give hints to the plot. The main types of shot are the establishing shot, this is the first shot of a new scene. The Wide Angle shot where the subject takes up the full frame. The long shot which is often used to show the subject and its surroundings, the subject is at a distance from the camera. The Mid shot which finishes above the waist, the Medium close up which is of the head and shoulders and the Close Up which shows small parts of the scene, giving the characters face in great detail. The extreme close up often just showing eyes. There are many types of angles like the High Angle shot to provide a view from above subjects. Low Angle shot to provide a below view of the subjects. The aerial view, which is a view directly overhead. For example in the film Pyscho (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock, films the actress on the left side of the camera frame rather than in the middle of the frame, which creates a sense that something weird is going on.

B. Editing This is used in Media to make smooth transitions from one shot to another and will make things more tense and interesting. For example in the film Pyscho (1960) the frame of the bloody water going down the plughole which then fades into the shot of the woman’s lifeless eyes which creates the mood of loss. Editing can also be used to enhance or add things into films, this is used largely in Sci Fi or Fantasy films like The Hobbit or Avatar where many elements of the landscape have been made to look lighter to create a sense that the place is good and happy.

C. SoundThis is used in films to create tension in a film for example a high pitched type of music would make you realise that something bad is about to happen. This can often indicate the Antagonist and Protagonist in a Thriller. For Example when the Protagonist has done something good a happy and sometimes energetic type of music is played, whereas the Antagonist would have music that would create a sense of mystery as to why they are doing something

Bibliography

• Wikipedia.org• thescriptlab.com• Imbd.com• Online Dictionary• teachingmedia

Feedback

Eden some good points but too general in the discussion of the later elements, also you must include a timeline of the thriller genre.Stu

I have taken this feedback into account and edited my slides.