Research on thriller films

Codes and conventions for a thriller film

Thriller is a broad genre of literature, film and television that includes numerous and often overlapping sub-genres.Thrillers are characterized by fast pacing, frequent action, and resourceful heroes who must thwart the plans of more-powerful and better-equipped villans. In a thriller film suspense, red herrings and cliffhangers are used alot.

Codes and conventions of a thriller genre are to do with sound and editing, e.g. quick cuts and camera angles, music that gives tension and is fast pace when appropriate. It can be to do with lighting, especially the use of shadow. Mirrors and stairs are also conventios of thriller movies.
Phone booth avoids darkness and shadow. You can also hear and see the story from the killers point of view, you are made to feel sorry for the male protagonist and that you are told a story with the use of flashback and quick passed editing.

• close ups
• fast pace music
• credits, names broken up, names appearing suddenly
• Low lighting
• extreme close ups
• high pitch music
• quick cuts
• shadows
• mirrors
• stairs

The thriller genre can include the following sub-genres, which may include elements of other genres:
Action thriller: In which the work often features a race against the clock, contains lots of violence, and an obvious antagonist. These films usually contain large amounts of guns, explosions, and large elaborate set pieces for the action to take place. These films often have elements of mystery films and crime films but these elements take a backseat to action. Notable examples are the James Bond films, The Transporter, and the Jason Bourne novels and films.

Conspiracy thriller: In which the hero/heroine confronts a large, powerful group of enemies whose true extent only he/she recognizes. The Chancellor Manuscript and The Aquitane Progression by Robert Ludlum fall into this category, as do films such as Three Days of the Condor, Capricorn One, and JFK.

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. These films often focus on the criminal(s) rather than a policeman. Crime thrillers usually emphasize action over psychological aspects. Central topics of these films include murders, robberies, chases, shootouts, and double-crosses are central ingredients. Some examples include The Killing, Seven, Reservoir Dogs, Inside Man, and The Asphalt Jungle.

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. Examples include Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen, Tremor by Winston Graham, and the 1974 film 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. Examples include The Illusionist, The Interpreter and The Prestige.