Research on the Thriller Genre

Our chosen genre is a Thriller. We are basing our film on a stalker and this created a thriller genre. These types of films are known to create intense excitement, suspense, anxiety and tension.  If the genre is to be defined the film should provide constant thrills for the audience and to keep the audience on a constant cliff hanger and on the edge of their seats as the plot builds towards a climax. The tension should usually arise as the main character is placed in a mysterious or dangerous situation from which an escape seems impossible.  
  The protagonist in these films is set against a problem an escape, a mission, or a mystery. All thrillers will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces.

Conventions of a Thriller genre:

• Creating Suspense
• Quick Cuts
• Shadows
• Low Key lighting
• Tension Music
• Changes in angle of shots
• Diegetic sounds of music
• Montage of shots
• Protagonist is in the mercy of Antagonist
  
   

Characters

• The protagonist is often a brave male who seeks to restore the equilibrium.
• The antagonist will have a hidden identity that the audience will uncover as the film progresses.  Often the antagonist goes out for revenge from past events.

Theme
The storyline will be believable and designed so that the audience will think it can happen to them, so they feel scared.

Cinematography of a Thriller

• There will be a lot of close ups and extreme close ups of the protagonist. Used to show their emotions.
• The shots of the antagonist will be cut quickly and will aim to hide their identity. 

Editing
The editing of a thriller will include a lot of jump cuts because there will be things happening that the audience are unaware of but is essential for the film to make sense. Cross cutting is a key to point in editing of thrillers to build up suspense and add tension.

Mise en Scene
The antagonist will be in dark clothes whereas the protagonist  will be in ordinary everyday clothes.











LUCY Trailer
Psychological Thriller
" A woman, accidentally caught in a dark deal, turns the tables on her captors and transforms into a merciless warrior evolved beyond human logic."

DIVERGENT Opening Titles
Thriller
"In a world divided by factions based on virtues, Tris learns she's Divergent and won't fit in. When she discovers a plot to destroy Divergents, Tris and the mysterious Four must find out what makes Divergents dangerous before it's too late."

ORPHAN
Thriller
"A husband and wife who recently lost their baby adopt a 9-year-old girl who is not nearly as innocent as she claims to be."