2. Research
Thriller’s use suspense, tension and excitement as the
main elements.
Common subgenres are psychological thrillers, crime
thrillers, erotic thrillers and mystery thrillers.
Usually rated certificate 15 or 18
Low key lighting
Colours used: black, white and red
A thriller is usually a villain-driven plot, they present
obstacles that the protagonist must overcome.
Common methods and themes in crime thrillers are
mainly ransoms, captivities, heists, revenge,
kidnappings. More common in mystery thrillers are
investigations and the whodunit technique.
Common elements in psychological thrillers are mind
games, psychological themes, stalking, confinement/
death traps, horror-of-personality, and obsession.
The protagonist in these films is set against a problem –
an escape, a mission, or a mystery.
The themes frequently include terrorism, political
conspiracy, pursuit, or romantic triangles leading to
murder.
3. Plot Idea 1
A love triangle between a man and two women. One of
the women who is his ex is extremely jealous.
The ex is manipulative and tries to destroy the mans
new relationship and becomes obsessive.The man
has no idea that his ex is so obsessed.
She becomes desperate to win the man back she
abducts the woman.When the man finally realises
what has been happening he has to try and save the
one he loves before its too late.
Or the ex could abduct the man as she wants to be with
him, so the mans new girlfriend is the one who has to
save him.
Non-diegetic music
4. Plot Idea 2
A girl had a traumatic experience when she was
a child, her mother was murdered (the
murderer was never found) however the girl
does not remember a thing until one day the
lies that she has been told about her
childhood start to unravelled. She puts herself
in danger trying to find out the truth.
The girl could be held hostage/ abducted
Clips shown of when the girl was a child playing
happily at start of the trailer.
Monologue at the start
Non-diegetic music
6. Location
The set will have low key lighting
Hyde park
House
Town/ city area
Playground
TameValley
7. Typical direction
LongTake at the start of trailer
Fast cutting towards the end
Long shot to establish the scene usually at the
start
Close up to build suspense
Pan
Zoom
Low angle shot on the character with the most
power
High angle shot on the character who is the
“victim”
Jump cuts
Point of view shot
8. How will you link it to your ancillary
task?
My poster and magazine will contain the
same actors as my film trailer
The colour scheme of the magazine and
poster will be the same as the film trailer
The font will be the same
Magazine and poster will contain the name
of the film
9. List of what is needed to create
trailer?
Camera
Editing software (e.g. iMovie,
Photoshop, InDesign)
Garage band, instruments
Lighting
Suitable Location
Actors
Props
Make-up
Costume
10. List of what is needed to create
trailer?
Camera
Editing software (e.g. iMovie,
Photoshop, InDesign)
Garage band, instruments
Lighting
Suitable Location
Actors
Props
Make-up
Costume
