Research on Sub-genres in Thriller Films

The thriller genre can include sub-genres, which may include elements of other genres. Some examples of these are listed below:

Action thriller: In which the work often features a race against the clock, contains lots of violence, and an obvious antagonist. (E.g. James Bond films and The Transporter)
Crime thriller: This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. (E.g. The Killing and Inside Man)
Psychological thriller: In which (until the often violent resolution) the conflict between the main characters is mental and emotional, rather than physical. (E.g. The Alfred Hitchcock films Suspicion, Shadow of a Doubt, and Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley)
Conspiracy thriller: In which the hero/heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies whose true extent only he/she recognizes. (E.g. Capricorn One and JFK)
Disaster thriller: In which the main conflict is due to some sort of natural or artificial disaster, such as floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, volcanoes, etc., or nuclear disasters as an artificial disaster. (E.g. Stormy Weather and Earthquake)
Drama thriller: In which the story consists of the elements of a thriller and drama film. These films are usually slower paced and involves a great deal of character development along with plot twists. (E.g. The Illusionist and The Interpreter)
Spy thriller (also a subgenre of spy fiction): In which the hero is generally a government agent who must take violent action against agents of a rival government or (in recent years) terrorists. (E.g. From Russia, with Love and the Bourne Identity)
Religious thriller: In which the plot is closely connected to religious objects, institutions and questions. (E.g. The Da Vinci Code)
Legal Thriller: In which the lawyer-heroes/heroines confront enemies outside, as well as inside, the courtroom and are in danger of losing not only their cases but their lives. (E.g. The Innocent Man)
Medical Thriller: In which the hero/heroine are medical doctors/personnel working to solve an expanding medical problem. (E.g. Awake)
Political thriller: In which the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that employs him. (E.g. Seven Days in May and Agency)
Techno-thriller: In which (typically military) technology is described in detail and made essential to the reader's/viewer's understanding of the plot. (E.g. Tom Clancy defined and popularized the genre with his The Hunt for Red October)
Eco-thriller: In which the protagonist must avert or rectify an environmental or biological calamity, often in addition to dealing with the usual types of enemies or obstacles present in other thriller genres. (E.g. The Loop and Kim Stanley Robinson's Mars Trilogy)

Questionnaire Analysis

Do you know the difference between thriller and horror movies ? 50% of our target age group said that they were able to recognise the difference between thriller and horror movies. However, 40%, which is a high percentage, are not able to recognise the difference. So to make our opening good, we'll make it clear that it's an thriller opening by using codes and convections, i.e. non-digetic, creepy music but nothing like violence or heads being thrown around the screen because that's more of a horror convection.

Do you enjoy ambiguity or giveaway plot lines ? 80% of our target audience claimed to preferring ambiguity plot lines. This makes it easier for us as it's a thriller opening and it will be more interesting when it keeps the audience at the edge of their seats

Casting

• Michael Mann will act as the homeless man
• Junaed Badat will act as the frightened boy
• Andreas Kavallares will act as the leader of the group
• Aidan Scoutter will act as the ditsy boy


MICHAEL MANN - THE HOMELESS MAN
Our group decided to choose Michael Mann as the homeless man because he's good at doing intimidating voices which will be important in creating tension for the audience.Our group decided that the costume of the homeless man will consist of a black scruffy coat (to show that he is poor) and a red shirt underneath to connote danger -seeing as he will be acting as a potential killer in the thriller opening.





JUNAED BADAT - THE FRIGHTENED BOY
We chose Junaed Badat to act as the frightened boy because he is good at making facial expressions and this will be vital in order to show a clear range of emotions. These emotions will be highlighted through close ups or extreme close ups to show their significance. It will also give the audience more knowledge about the personality of the characters; for example: a character that often has a worried facial expression denotes that they are a character that is quite tense and on edge all the time.


ANDREAS KAVALLARES - THE LEADER OF THE GROUP
We chose Andreas Kavallares to act as the leader of the group because he has the natural quality of being quite a bold and assertive person. In order to emphasise that he has higher status we all think it's best to use a lot of confident body language such as: walking tall with his head and shoulders back - to show confidence or cockiness , using his hands a lot while talking to show his authority (emphasizing his points while speaking by firmly shaking his finger or palm in beat to his words) and walking with wide, long steps to show a powerful stride.



AIDAN SCOUTTER - THE DITSY BOY
We chose Aidan Scoutter to act as the ditsy boy because like Michael Mann, he is good at using his body language and facial expressions - which will be useful in order to convey the simple-minded, over exaggerated ditsy character that we would like to portray.





However one of our actors Junead, did not show up to our filming sesson. Therefore we had to get Imani to act as the third boy. We picked Imani as she is good at talking and acting like a boy. She also knew all the camera shots and scenes, so she was prepared and ready.

Shooting script

Shooting Script

Broomfield Park 11:00pm
[Andreas, Imani, Aidan and Michael]

ANDREAS, AIDAN AND IMANI ARE WALKING THROUGH BROOMFIELD PARK

Imani:
Aidan have you got modern warfare 2 yet?

Aidan:
Yeah, I got it the day it came out

Andreas:
Yeah, it's the best game I've played for a while

Imani:
What rank are you

Andreas:
Hold up, what's going on with the blood everywhere, and what is that

ALL THREE BOYS THEN LOOK AT THE GROUND

Aidan:
[Laughs] Look at that homeless man, I can smell him from here

Andreas:
Junaed, I dare you to take his alcohol

Imani:
I don't think that's a good idea

Aidan:
Just do it, what's the problem

Andreas:
Quick!

IMANI SLOWLY WALKS OVER TO THE HOMELESS MAN. AFTER A SLIGHT PAUSE HE TAKES THE ALCOHOL. AIDAN TAKES THE ALCOHOL FROM IMANI

Andreas:
[Laughs] Now pull his hood down

Aidan:
[Laughs]

Imani:
What, why?

Andreas:
Just do it!

IMANI WALKS OVER TO THE MEN, SLOWLY PULLS HIS HOOD DOWN, BUT THE HOMELESS MAN WAKES UP. ANDREAS AND AIDAAN THEN RUN OFF
IMANI STANDS SHOCKED FOR A FEW SECONDS, THEN RUNS OFF. HE THEN TRIPS OVER THE HAND. THE HOMELESS MAN THEN WALKS OVER TO IMANI.

Michael [homless man]:
You've had your fun, now I'm going to have mine

End of film opening

Production scedule

We are producing a two minute thriller film. We are going to be filming at night in a park. We will be filming in Broomfield Park. We are filming in a park because it creates a scary atmosphere, especially in the night when no-one is there. We are using four teenage boys. One will be playing a homeless man, while the other three will be playing as themselves, as three teenage boys. Our four boys will be Andreas Kavallares, Imani Pratt, Aidan Scoutter and Michael Mann.

Film Treatment Of 'Silent Night.'

One evening Imani, Aidan and Andreas decided to walk through a park. As they walk they discuss the topic about ps3. They then come across some unusual objects on the pathway. They firstly come across a hand covered with blood. There will then be traces of blood around the hand on numerous cardboard boxes. They then continue walking, until they come across a homeless man lying on a bench. He is dressed with a black coat, with a red t-shirt, using cardboard boxes to keep him warm.

Imani, Aidan and Andreas then notice the alcohol. Imani is extremely terrified and wants to go home. Andreas wants to steal the mans alcohol. Aidan is the ditsy one who just goes along with it. They then dare Imani to take the alcohol. Imani is very unsure whether to or not. However he feels extremely pressured by the other two so goes over to take it. He then gives it to Aidan and Andreas. They then tell him to take the hat as well. He goes over again to take it, however the homeless man wakes up. Andreas and Aidan get frightened and run off. However Imani is still shocked that he has woken up. He puts the hat down and is about to run when he trips over the hand. The homeless man they get up and he’s standing over the boy. Our film opening then ends with the homeless man with a grin on his face.

Codes and Conventions of Thriller Movies.

Many Codes and Conventions are used in thriller films:

Narration - Voice telling you parts of the story. This creates tension for the audience. It also creates a sense of mystery and makes the audience feel a sense of suspense. This is used in numerous thriller films such as The Others.

Music - Scary/eerie music is typically used in thriller films. There are different types of music used in thriller films:-

The most usual kind is sharp, high-pitched which is very fast and loud. This is used as it reflects on the genre emensly, it creates the scene for a thriller film. It also makes the audience feel tense and unsettled. Alfred Hitchcock uses this kind of music for his films as it is very effective as the frantic and jumpy music creates a sense of urgency as if someone is being chased. Also films such as Jaws use this type of music when the shark is about to pounce on its prey.

The other type of music used in thrillers is slow pace and gentle/eerie music. This usually contains instruments such as violins and pianos. This is used to develop suspense and a sinister and unsettling feeling for the audience. This is used in films such as The Others.

Lighting - Shadows are used in typical thriller films as a way to create a sense of suspense and action in the film. It makes the audience edgy and is used to intrigue interest from the audience. Shadows are used in many ghost films and also in many Alfred Hitchcock films along with dramatic lighting. Mirrors and stairs are also used as well (e.g: Psycho).

Dramatic lights add tension to the scenes. When black shadows, bright disorientating lights and sharp contrasts are used this makes the thriller film more interesting.

Scenes which switch very quickly and suddenly builds-up the audience for an scary film. It makes the audience on edge and is also used to show action is occurring.

Camera Angles - Panning and Tracking are used to create a sense of being followed. High camera angles are used to emphasize the victim as being small and vulnerable in a thriller film. Low camera angles are used to create height for a villain and makes the villain seem very in charge. Consequently it builds-up a sense of them being big and scary.

The Credits - Thriller films use these to symbolically represent broken up minds, thoughts and people within the film. These are used in films such as Gothika.

Is Entrapment - Claustrophobic spaces are a key generic signifier that are used typically in thrillers. Films that have used this is: Flightplan, Snakes on a Plane, Phonebooth, Kill Bill 2 and Panic Room.

Flightplan - Location - Plane

Snakes on a Plane - Location - Plane

Phonebooth - Location - Phonebooth

Kill Bill II - Location - when woman was buried in the coffin

After evaluating and researching thriller films so far, the codes/conventions I have picked up and could use in my own thriller movie opening is as follows:

Music - Very slow paced music will be effective as it creates a lot of tension. It also sets the mood for a scary atmosphere within the film, and consequently the opening will give the audience an insight of a chilling film. In contrast very fast, high pitched music could also be used as a suitable match for a thriller.

Lighting - Shadows could be used as this will create a lot of suspense and action in a film. Black shadows also make the film more interesting and edgy.

Camera Angles - Over the shoulder and Birds eye view camera shots could be used as this will make the audience feel as if someone is watching the other characters and are being preyed on.

High Camera Angles are used especially up-tilt shots. These make the victim in the film very small. Low Camera angles give the villain of the film height and make him seem big. These are good to show statuses of the characters in the film.

Codes and Conventions used in different Film Genres

Horror - Final Destination.
A symbolic Code is used when scary music is played a birds eye view of a boy sleeping. The Music is non-diegetic. This is typical of a horror movie because it always increases tension and suspense that the characters cant hear, but the audience can.

Setting is a boys bedroom at night. It is a dark setting, you can see figures of toys etc. This is typical for a setting of a horror film as it creates a scary atmosphere and creates tension for the audience watching the scene.
Panning used to lead audience to a open doorway. Door opens slowly.

Diegetic sound of wind howling played at this moment to create tension and suspension.

Birds eye view of boy sleeping.

The diegetic sound of the wind becomes quicker, louder as the scene becomes more scary and when the camera is focused on the boy sleeping.

Diegetic sound of girl speaking, calling out.

Close-up of clock that says 1 o'clock and is written in red. Red emphasizes danger, death - blood. It is a bold colour that can be used for warnings, like it is used in this case.

The intended audience of this film is teenagers and adults.

Romance - The Notebook.
Long Shot of couple walking holding hands. This is typical of a romance film.
A symbolic code of a girl wearing a red cardigan emphasises romance, love and passion.
Boy humming making diegetic music while they are dancing.
Over the shoulder shots of them together..
Non-diegetic romantic music playing in background. This is typical for this type of genre.
Panning of them dancing together. Also a birds eye view of them dancing.
Traffic light above them changes to red, which emphasises they are evidently falling in love. This is a symbolic code.
Cross-cutting to them in the future. The girl who is now an old woman is wearing a red jumper still. Emphasises the love in their realtionship is still alive.
Panning of girl running to boy. Romantic, upbeat non-diegetic music is played to emphasise their happiness. Medium shot of them together.
The intended audience of this film is young and old.

Comedy- Little Nicky.

Close-up of man's face.

Music is light upbeat. Very chilled music, relaxing music.

Close-up of flowers which are blue. Blue symbolizes relaxing, calm colour.

Main character wearing yellow. Main character is good. Yellow symbolizes a bright, happy colour which suits the main character. He is also wearing blue gloves and trousers which is a calm colour.

Setting is at a flower shop. Which is a happy setting which is typical of a comedy to make it upbeat.

Panning of people following main character.

Camera is shaky. This shows the main characters point of view when running.

Music is very punk/rock. (Non - diegetic) This emphasizes action especially when the main character is running.

Long shot of man.

Diegetic sound of crowd shouting.

Close-up of basketball.

Panning of the basketball court.

The intended audience of this film is older teenagers and adults.

Cowboy- The Good The Bad And The Ugly.

Long shot of Rocky Mountains and man on horse.

Setting is Rocky Mountains. Typical setting for a western movie.

Panning of man on horse.

Diegetic sound of horse running.

Relaxing, low/quite quiet music playing in the background. Non-diegetic music.

Man wearing dark grey coat and black hat. Dark colours emphasise a dark side to a character and maybe he is quite a dangerous character.

Over the shot of man walking through the cave. Panning following the man as well.

Setting in a tunnel. He is looking at the end of the tunnel and you can see light. However he is standing in the darkness of the tunnel. This could emphasise he is a quite dark character and is lost in the darkness and cannot see the light.

Medium shot of man.

Arc shot. Circling around the character. Music becomes louder as more action is happening, and the storyline is developing.

Close-up of man’s face.

The audience intended is adults.

Sci-fi- V for Vendetta

Diegetic sound of woman on speakers talking in the streets of London.

Setting is the streets in London. It is very dismal, dull and it is an extremely dark night.

Medium shot of woman walking by herself.

Panning of woman running away.

Two men wearing grey. Grey is a dull, dark and links to death. These men consequently are dangerous.

Medium shot of man. His face is darker one side which emphasises he has a dark side to himself.

Close-up of woman reaching into her pocket. Emphasises she has something important in her pocket.

Over the shoulder shot of woman looking at one of the men. This shows you her point of view and invites the audience and makes them seem they are in on the action themselves.

Close-up of badge. This shows the badge holds great importance.

Non-diegetic music played. It is very sinister and scary and gets faster and louder when there is more action and the film gets scarier.

Close-up of man in a mask. It has slightly some light shining on the mask which emphasises that the man in the mask may have a dark side to him as well as a good side.

Close-up of knife which shows that there is going to be action.

Long shot of the masked man dressed all in black. This creates tension and suspense.

Close-up of gun.

Very fast non-diegetic music is played as there is a lot of action.

Over the shoulder shot used when man is looking at the masked man.

The intended audience is young adults and adults.

Evaluation

Last Friday we did a rough first filming task. We were told to make a short horror film within our groups. After making our film we watched them and recieved feedback from our peers. One person said that our film had good camera angles, as we included over the shoulder shots, middle shots, long shorts, close-ups, panning, birds eyes view etc.
However they said we should make sure we keep the camera more steady. Which we should do in order to improve our film and quality of it. Also we should make sure no one looks into the camera unless intentional.
Another peer said we should make sure our video is louder in order to make the short film look more professional and easier for the audience to listen to what is really going on, as our video was quite quiet and you could not hear what we were saying in the video. They however said that we did good editing but need to make sure the camera is kept steady at all times.
In conclusion I think our video was ok for a first attempt. However alot of things could be added to improve it such as the listed reasons above, and also i think with more practice with cameras and media techniques it would improve also.