GENERIC RESEARCH ON THRILLERS

Within thriller movies, a range of different shots and camera angles have been used. For example close up shots are used to build tension suspense and also mystery. Long shots are also used in order to set the scene. They are also so used in order to give a sense of isolation; this is done by having a character on their own in a mysterious location, this creates mystery and tension for the audience as they expect that something is going to happen.

Point of view shots are used in order to show the scene and the setting. This builds tension as the audience doesn’t see the character’s facial expression and so they have no idea about what is happening. By using a dark location the audience aren’t able to make out some of the objects within the shot and so this would create tension and suspense. By also using artificial lighting, objects become distorted and so this would make the scene unnerving for the audience. Using point of view shot allows us to step into a character’s shoes and see what is happening from their perspective. By doing this we also pick up on their nerves, which makes the audience tense and so this causes suspense and tension to be built up.

The location and setting used within a thriller either reflects or contrasts the character’s feelings or personality. For example an isolated setting or location may suggest that the main protagonist or antagonist is also isolated and cut-off from the rest of the other characters. The location also gives the audience an insight into what genre the film is and what the film is about as wells as giving them a suggestion about what the characters in the film are like. At the beginning of a thriller, on some occasions the location contrasts the genre of the film. For example a quiet village or even a tranquil, isolated house in the countryside. This creates an enigma code as it makes the audience question what is going to happen to disrupt the equilibrium in the location.

Lighting within a thriller is significant. Artificial lighting is typical of thrillers as it creates lots of shadows. This distorts the image and so this creates mystery and suspense as the audience are not able to make out what certain objects or who the characters are. Back lighting also creates mystery as the audience don’t know who the character is and so this creates an enigma as it makes the audience question who the character is.

In most horror and thrillers, the scenes are set at night time and so the use of lots of artificial light would not be appropriate as the scene would not look realistic. It would create too many shadows and this would distort the objects in the shot. The night time effect creates lots of shadows and so this may create a sense of mystery and suspense.

The non-diegetic music within thrillers is usually orchestral. This type of music is typical of a thriller as it gives the scene a sinister and menacing feel to it. The soundtrack may even be played in the minor key and so this would alter the mood of the scene. The minor key may also give the audience an insight on the character and their personality. However, within some scenes of a thriller no music at all is used and so this creates a more sinister effect as the audience are trying to listen out for both diegetic and non-diegetic noises that will help them to understand what is happening and what is going to happen. At this point diegetic sound such as a character’s breathing or a creaking door is used to build tension. By hearing a character’s breathing, the audience then begin to try and match their breathing to the characters and so this would create tension as the audience would feel a sense of panic and so tension would have been created. The sound of the character’s breathing can be amplified and so this would also help the audience match their breathing with the character’s breathing. The audience rely on the diegetic sounds in a film as this gives them an understanding of what is happening especially if the set is not well lit and so this turns the audiences focus to the diegetic or non-diegetic sound, which is creating the suspense.

Long duration of frames are used in order to build tension as the audience can see what is happening during the scene and we can also see the character’s reaction and facial expressions which add to the suspense. A long duration of frames also signifies that there is not much action happening at that specific point in the scene or it is now leading to the action.

Todorov’s narrative theory is also used within thrillers as this is often the concept of the storyline. There is a state of equilibrium which is then disrupted. The characters realise that this disruption has taken place and so they attempt to repair the damage the disruption has caused. The characters succeed in repairing the damage and so equilibrium is restored. The disruption within a thriller is typically a killer or some kind of monster which kills a majority of the characters before reaching a conclusion. By using some form of a creature this could act on an audiences fear, this would not be as realistic. However, they would be able to relate to the storyline as it presents verisimilitude and so these elements would make the film more believable. By using a human as the killer, this makes it more unnerving as it is more realistic and believable and so this would create more suspense as there is a psychological element to it and so the audience often don’t know what will happen next, causing suspense and tension within the film.

Peaks and valleys is used as this makes the audience question whether the villain will catch the main character. The audience want the main character to live as they have created a relationship between themselves and that character and so this builds lots of tension and suspense as they are unsure whether the character will get away and stay alive until the end of the film.

These are all conventions of a thriller as they are important to creating suspense and tension which is the main concept within the genre.

INITIAL IDEAS

For our initial ideas we took into consideration the codes and conventions of a thriller as well as ideas used in title sequences we have analysed. Camera angles and shots are important especially a close up shot as this allows the audience to see the character’s facial expression. This indicates that something is happening within the scene. For example a close up can be used to show fear and by doing this it would create suspense and make the scene unnerving. Bird’s eye view and also high angles make a character look small and insignificant. This can be especially effective in a scene where the central protagonist is faced with the antagonist and the villain is in control of the situation as this makes them appear less dominant. Whereas, as a worm’s eye view or a low angle can be used to make the villain appear more menacing and dominant.

Hand held shots can be effective as the shake of the camera is parallel to the scene because the scene is tense and so this creates tension and makes it more disturbing. Long shots can make a character look small and insignificant. It could also suggest that the character feels isolated. This can help to build tension as the character is alone or isolated and that something might happen to them. Point of view shots allows the audience to see through the characters eyes and so you can see other characters’ identities. Also if the scene is shot with not much light then this may suggest the character has a vision impairment and so this may build tension as a person’s identity may become concealed. A Dutch angle is a convention of a thriller as it disorientates the audience because the shot is not filmed straight on but on an angle. Dutch angles can suggest that the character’s vision is impaired and so this shot creates tension in the scene. Over the shoulder shots help to create a mystery as the character in the foreground may not realise that another character is behind them. It also creates an enigma code for the audience as they do not know what the other character’s intentions are.

Low key lighting is a convention of the thriller genre because it is used to distort the facial features. This creates mystery as the shadows conceal the character’s identity and creates an enigma code as this leaves the audience wondering the identity of the person. Chiaroscuro is also a convention of a thriller as it creates lots of distinct shadows which contrast with the highlights made by the harsh artificial light. This distorts the facial features and so this creates tension and an enigma code as this makes the audience question the identity of the character. Natural lighting can suggest a less dramatic scene and is typical of the romantic genre. However, using natural lighting can create a sense of eeriness as the scene could occur in broad daylight and so this would be socking for the audience as they would not expect this of a thriller and so this subverts the conventions of a thriller. Another convention of the thriller genre is back lighting. Back lighting is used to create silhouettes and this is important within a thriller as it forms an enigma code for the audience because the identity of the silhouette is a mystery.

Sound plays an important part within all genre of film, especially thrillers. However, the lack of non-diegetic music can add to the scene because it makes you focus on the scene as it makes it more menacing, also it can often be used to signify a significant point within the narrative. The music used within a film can be either parallel or contrapuntal. Parallel music goes with the scene and so this complements the scene and can add to the atmosphere. On the other hand, contrapuntal music doesn’t go with the scene and so this would make it more unnerving for the audience as it creates a bad feeling and so it builds tension and suspense. Sound bridges are important as they are used to link two frames or scenes together. This can be effective as it maintains the sinister feeling as well as the flow of suspense. The non-diegetic sound of a heart beat is often used as the audience’s heart beat will match that of the sound of the heartbeat heard as the non-diegetic sound and so a fast sound of a heartbeat will increase the tension as the audience’s heartbeat will increase. This sound technique is commonly used as it is an effective way of creating tension and suspense within the scene.

Font is also important within the thriller genre as it adds to the mysterious effect. The use of a red coloured font has been over used over the years within thrillers and so the audience may find this not as disturbing. Within modern thrillers a scratched font has been used. This could suggest violent or obsessive behaviour as it appears that the words have been continuously scratched in.

Narrative is a major convention of the thriller genre. Both Vladamir Propp and Tzvetan Todorov created theories of narrative which are significant within the genre. Vladamir’s theory of narrative is that it includes the characters that make up the narrative, which are the:

•    Hero

•    Villain

•    Donor

•    Helper

•    Princess

•    Dispatcher

•    False hero

Todorov’s theory of narrative looks at the different aspects of the plot side of the narrative. The different stages of Todorov's theory are:

•   A state of equilibrium

•    Disruption of equilibrium by some action

•    Recognition that there has been a disruption of equilibrium

•    Attempts to repair the disruption to equilibrium

•    Reinstatement of equilibrium

These theories of narrative are important to films, especially the thriller genre as these different characters and stages of the theories contribute to making up the narrative. Characters such as the villain disrupt the state of equilibrium and so this can lead to the build-up of tension.

Connotations are a significant convention of the thriller genre as they can suggest enigma codes within the scenes. After discussing ideas for our title sequence I have come up with some connotations that may link with these ideas. The colour white could suggest purity or innocence. It can also signify clinical behaviour, which is typical of a villain within the thriller genre as well as the sense of being angelic or simple. I could even suggest the idea of being the same as everyone or everything and having no sense of identity. Black is often associated with death, evil, impurity, contamination mystery and menacing behaviour. All of these connotations could be applied to the colour black within a thriller as they are add to the narrative or they create enigma codes within the film. Red is also an important colour within thrillers as it can signify death, blood, lust, love and passion. After thinking about ideas for our title sequence we decided that we really liked the idea of using a child as the central protagonist. The typical connotations of a child are youth, playfulness, innocence and purity. By considering these connotations we decide that we really liked this idea as having a child that represents innocence could contrast or juxtapose other things or people that may be included within the frame.

Editing is important within the thriller genre as it is used to create and intensify suspense and tension. Long shot duration make the scene more eerie as the frame doesn’t change for a long period of time. This builds tension as the audience is waiting something to happen and so this creates suspense. However, short shot durations create tension as the frames appear quickly and at a face pace and so this would make the audience’s heart beat faster, resulting in the build-up in tension. By doing this it also focuses the as they are trying to keep up with the short duration of frames.

Enigma codes are an essential convention of a thriller as they keep the audience guessing as they create mystery within the scene. Enigma codes also makes the audience ask questions. This is vital within a thriller as the main aim is to create and maintain suspense and tension. Peaks and valleys help to build tension as it makes the audience wonder what will happen and if the protagonist is going to be safe. By showing a frame of the hero and then cutting to the villain and then back to the hero, this keeps the keeps the audience on edge as there are lots of ways that the protagonist could fall and this increases the tension as you want them to survive.

Amplifying diegetic sounds is often used in order to create tension because it helps to build tension. The sound of breathing is commonly used within thrillers as the audience matches their breathing with the sound of the character’s breath. It also suggests their fear because if they felt scared then their breathing would get faster and so would the audience’s, resulting in the increase of tension within the scene. Using a black and white effect can have two different purposes. It can be used to signify something that has happened in the past or it could be used to highlight the use of chiaroscuro by showing the light and dark areas.

Jump cuts are used within thrillers as it makes the audience focus on another frame or scene in a short space of time and so this would add tension as the editing is quite fast paced especially if there are lots of jump cuts and short duration of shots in a small space of time. It can also make what is on screen quite jerky as the shot cuts have been put together. Fading the scene in and out can add to the suspense as the scene is being slowly revealed. By using a slow paced scene and long shot durations this can be especially effective as it gives a sense of mystery as the scene or frame is being introduced to the audience slowly.

Slow motion or even slowing down the speed of the frame can build tension and suspense because you are able to see the character’s facial expression and you can pay lots of attention to what is happening within the scene. By slowing a frame down this can build suspense as you want to know what is going to happen and so this makes the audience question what is going to happen.

Mise en scene can make a scene or frame more disturbing. For example, clothing and make up can signify what time or era the film was based in. By using modern clothing in a contemporary film can unnerve the audience as it would appear to be an everyday situation that could occur at any point. A convention of a thriller is that the film uses a familiar setting or location. This links with the idea of the clothing, that the audience may find it more disturbing that these situations could occur in everyday life. Thrillers often use an isolated location as this can sometimes be parallel to the character and their feelings. A character may feel isolated, lonely or abandoned and so this makes the character three-dimensional as they have a psychological depth. The use of an isolated location can be appear quite eerie as there is no one around them and this could be quite daunting or menacing.