Research task 1

Thriller Research

GenreDefine genre as a concept

a category of artistic composition, as in music or literature, characterized by similarities in form, style, or subject matter.

An overview: A definition of the thriller genre, outline it’s key elements.

Thriller is a broad genre of literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements

Audience expectationThe audience expect action, suspense and anticipation

A Timeline of the Genre

Sub Genres • Thriller

Thrillers are usually defined by the mood they elicit (hence the name). “Sensational and suspenseful” stories and stories creating “fearful excitement” are two definitions I found. Because of this, thrillers are crossed with almost every other genre. I’ve tried to only include mash-ups when their combination falls under my definition of “interesting.”

• Action Thriller(die hard)Take any other thriller subgenre, give it’s defining elements a back seat, and focus on the action, and you have an action-thriller. This is more common in movies than novels because of the visual appeal of explosions and violence..

• Crime Thriller(seven)This subgenre focuses on crime, and is usually from the criminal’s point of view. Physical action and eluding the police take the place of gathering evidence and trying to discover the criminal.

• Disaster Thriller(the crazies)In this subgenre a (usually) natural disaster is taking place, and the antagonist is either trying to stop the disaster, the extent of the disaster, or just save themselves before time runs out and the disaster has run its course.

• Mystery Thriller(Sherlock Holmes)This is a subgenre of both mysteries and thrillers. It differs from a regular mystery by being much more fast-paced, with the protagonist on the run and the threat of another crime serving as the “ticking clock.”

• Psychological Thriller (orphan, psycho) A personal favourite. In this subgenre a lot of the conflict is mental, rather than physical. The protagonist has become involved in a dangerous situation which literally threatens their sanity. They must use mental prowess to overcome their opponent, whether the battle is inside their own head or it a battle of wits.

• Religious Thriller( angels and demons)This subgenre uses the history and myths of religion. Usually a religious artefact or historical secret is discovered, and different people and groups vie for control.

• Spy Thriller(James bond)It’s hard to call this a genre mash-up when spy novels almost have to be thrillers. At any rate, this subgenre focuses on the high adventures of field agents. It is usually set against the backdrop of some war.

• Supernatural Thriller(alien) In this subgenre otherworldly elements are introduced, usually as an antagonistic force, but just as in the romantic thriller, the plot line and feel or distinctly that of thrillers. Some characters may have psychic abilities and other supernatural novel elements may be present.

Characterization• Narrative conventions The narrative revolves around the investigation of a mystery and the hero is often the only person who can find the truth.

• Character representation (hero / Anti-hero) the character plays an important part in the suspense and feel of the film, the representation of the bad character normally sets the tone for the entire movie

• Mise-en-scene In thriller films the mise-en-scene is extremely important because without the sound ,lighting and props thrillers are hard to be distinguished between other genres

Character Representation• Hero - mainly male protagonists who resolves narrative

(jaws-Martin Brody saves all the children from the shark)• Villain - the main antagonist who disrupts the narrative (nightmare on elm

street- Freddy killed the kids in their sleep)• Dispatcher - he/she sends the hero on his journey( Somerset (Morgan

freeman)sends the character to find the truth in seven)• Helper - assists the hero

• False hero - double crosser/dealer

• Heroine - traditionally a female who needs to be rescued

ConstructionCamerawork • Is the act or making of a film with the combination of camera elements , displaying how a scene is shot.• The three elements that make up cinematography are:• Camera movement - Represents the audience's viewpoint or perspective, during the course of filming. Movement

plays a significant role in the emotional language of film images and the audience's reaction to the action on the screen as the camera itself may be moved to create an effect.

• Camera angles- The camera angle marks the precise place at which a camera is put to take a shot. It may be shot from various camera angles. This will give / show the audience a different viewpoint.

• Camera positions –This is the position of the camera and how a scene is shot by where the camera is placed.

Editing • When we watch a film we notice how it is joined together at certain points. Each scene may last a few seconds or

continue for a few minutes. The length of each shot determines the pace of the film and helps determine the mood. In between these scenes is some use of editing. Editing can be done during filming or usually done after filming has been shot ‘edit stage’.

SoundSound is a very important generic convention when making a film, the use or non use of sound is able to enhance on how the audience interpret certain ideas and distribute emotions. Sound can give a different meaning to a scene or explain what action can not.

BibliographyBibliography of your research sources (at least 3 different sources, not just Wikipedia!)

http://timerime.com/en/timeline/410039/Timeline+of+Thriller+Genre/

http://kathrineroid.wordpress.com/2011/09/12/list-of-thriller-subgenres/

http://www.slideshare.net/lewisharland/conventions-of-the-thriller-genre-11373344

http://oahkarinarhoden.blogspot.co.uk/2010/11/sound.html