The document discusses the genre conventions of thriller films. It defines thrillers as films that create intense emotions of apprehension and exhilaration through the use of suspense, tension and excitement. Thrillers include many subgenres like mystery, crime, psychological films and use techniques like plot twists, red herrings and cliffhangers. Some common thriller elements discussed include criminal characters, menaced victims, corrupt societies, investigations and psychological themes. The document also lists example thriller films and directors known for the genre.

1. 1
The Thriller Genre
►What are the codes and conventions of
Thrillers?
►Why is genre so important?
►What films do I know about?
►What directors do I know about?
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2. 2
Generic conventionsGeneric conventions
► A film genre is defined by its codesA film genre is defined by its codes
and conventions and these must beand conventions and these must be
present to make a film a genre filmpresent to make a film a genre film
but should involve some aspect ofbut should involve some aspect of
innovation, subversion and/orinnovation, subversion and/or
inflection (otherwise it becomes ainflection (otherwise it becomes a
formula film)formula film)
 Mise-en-sceneMise-en-scene
 SettingSetting
 Visual styleVisual style
 ThemesThemes
 IdeologyIdeology
 StarsStars
 Character-typesCharacter-types
 NarrativesNarratives
 IconographyIconography
 CinematographyCinematography
 Special effectsSpecial effects
 Sound/musicSound/music

3. 3
Definition? James Patterson, June 2006, "Introduction," Thriller
►
..There are all kinds. The legal thriller, spy thriller, action-
adventure thriller, medical thriller, police thriller, romantic
thriller, historical thriller, political thriller, religious thriller, high-
tech thriller, military thriller. The list goes on and on, with new
variations constantly being invented. In fact, this openness to
expansion is one of the genre's most enduring
characteristics. But what gives the variety of thrillers a
common ground is the intensity of emotions they create,
particularly those of apprehension and exhilaration, of
excitement and breathlessness, all designed to generate that
all-important thrill. By definition, if a thriller doesn't thrill, it's
not doing its job.
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4. 4
What is a Thriller?
► Uses suspense, tension and excitement as
the main elements
► Includes many sub genres: Mystery,
Crime, Psychological, Political and
Paranoid.
► Atmosphere of menace, violence, crime
and murder.
► Society is seen as dark corrupt and
dangerous
► Literary devices like plot twist, red herrings,
and cliff hangers 4

5. Words
►Look over the words you have
►Come up with a definition (use the internet,
other people to help if you are not sure)
►Write that definition on coloured paper
►Give an example if you can
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6. 6
Thriller Methods and Ideas?
►Crime: ransoms, captivities, heists,
revenge, kidnappings
►Mystery: investigations, ‘whodunit
technique’
►Psychological: mind games,
psychological themes, stalking,
confinement, deathtraps, horror of
personality, obsession
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7. 7
Narrative Techniques
►Plot twists and turns
►Multiple lines of
action
►Flashbacks
►Narrative retardation
►Red herrings
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►Mis direction
►Deadlines
►Principle of
concealment
►Chases/pursuits
►Making the audience
work

8. 8
Thriller Characters?
►Criminals, Stalkers, Assassins,
Psychotic individuals, escaped
cons
►Menaced women, innocent victims,
private eyes, world weary people,
►Cops, people involved in twisted
relationship
►Characters are often not black or
white (bad or good), grey is
dominant! 8

9. 9
Techniques
► Use of tracking
► POV
► ECUs/CUs
► Reveals (track in/ zoom
in)
► Dramatic angles
► Eerie, tense music
► Off screen sounds
► Low key lighting
► Chiaroscuro
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► Strong directional lighting
► Over exposed or colour
manipulation
► Fast paced editing esp for
chase scenes
► Jump Cuts
► Parallel editing
► Obtrusive Editing
► Silence
► Exaggerated sound
► Disorientation of time/space

10. Lets put it into practice!
►Watch the opening of Shutter Island (look
out for Thriller Codes and Convention)
►As small groups write down what you
noticed……
►Try to explain the EFFECT/MEANING
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11. 11
What Thriller Films can you think
of?
►You have three mins to make a list of as
many Thriller films that you can. In Silence
►Pair up with one person and compare/add
to this list
►Get into small groups and compare/add to
the list
►Sharing with the class – which group has
the most….
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12. 12
Thriller Films
► Inception
► Fight Club
► Psycho
► Silence of the
Lambs
► Memento
► Dark Knight
► The Shining
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► The Departed
► The Prestige
► Bladerunner
► Se7en
► Reservoir Dogs
► Bourne Identity
► North by Northwest
► The Usual Suspects
► Shutter Island
► Taken

13. 13
Thriller Directors
► Alfred Hitchcock
► Brian de Palma
► Stanley Kubrick
► David Fincher
► Orson Welles
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► Roman Polaski
► Ridley Scott
► M Night Shyamalan
► Steven Spielberg
► Quentin Tarantino
► Christopher Nolan
► Tony Scott
► John Carpenter
► David Cronenberg
► Jonathan Demme

14. 14
Activity
► Write a 50-100 word “advertisement” for the thriller
film genre, trying to mention the most important
conventions
eg For Romance Genre: Wanted: Love story. Do you love
candles and dancing in the rain? Must have the ability to
resolve problems between couples and reach a happy
ending. Experience with kissing, telephoning and acting
hurt essential. Must have ditsy friend, handle lots of
misunderstandings and be willing to accept a ring at the
end. Empathy with young women an advantage. Your
job will require chatting up people and you will have to
work in bedrooms and in moonlight as well as big social
gatherings, especially weddings.
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