Thriller films are usually based on conflict that disrupts equilibrium and leads to suspense and action. They often involve a protagonist seeking justice, while the antagonist is shown negatively but may explain their actions at the end. Thriller films use dark lighting, quick cuts, suspenseful music, and close-ups to emphasize emotion and the chaos of action scenes. Drama films exhibit real-life situations and exaggerated storylines to entertain, aiming to amplify emotion in audiences. They use dull lighting, emphasis on realism, dramatic music, and tense scenes. Character development depends on the genre, using realism, while cinematography focuses on emotions through close-ups and a slower pace with dialogue over action.

1. Thriller/Drama Research
A2 Media

2. THRILLER
• A thriller is usually based on the idea of conflict.
Whether it is conflict between 2 people, or between
numerous people the conflict breaks the equilibrium
leading to suspense and action. Strauss outlines this
idea in his theory of binary oppositions.
• The seek for justice is apparent in thriller films too.
For example, in Taken(2008) a man embarks on a
mission to find and return his daughter after she is
sold into the world of underground sex slavery.

3. Codes and Conventions – Thriller
trailer
• Dark lighting
• Quick cuts to maintain a fast pace in action scenes
• Suspenseful music
• Diagetic sounds of breathing – build suspense.
• Strauss’ binary opposites
• Montages of shots as oppose to fluid recording

4. Characters
• Usually, the protagonist seeks justice and his
motive is made obvious from the offset. The
antagonist is shown negatively throughout
however it is not uncommon for the antagonist to
explain his actions at the end of the film leaving
the audience with a shocking twist.
• Male characters are often emphasised with the
target audience for thriller films being
predominately male.

5. Cinematography
• The close up shot is frequently used. This is to
show the emotion in the characters faces and
help the audience understand the level of
emotion.
• Tracking shots are used, usually handheld, to
emphasise the chaos of an action scene.

6. Famous Thriller films

7. DRAMA
• Exhibits real life situations with relatable
characters, stories and settings. However, the
storyline is always exaggerated to ensure it is
entertaining.
• Emotion is the key to drama films. The film
aims to amplify a certain emotion in the
audience. For example, it could be anger or
sadness.

8. Codes and Conventions – Drama trailer
• Dull lighting
• Alcohol/Drugs
• Emphasis on realism
• Dramatic music (emotional)
• Tense scenes (anger, grief, love)
• Often narrated

9. Characters
• The character depends of the type of drama.
Period dramas will have drastically different
characters to a teen drama. However, the
ideology of realism is apparent in both. Period
dramas will have characters dress and act in
accordance to the time, similarly teen dramas
will emphasise the key stereotypes of
teens(sporty boys, popular girls, nerds etc.)

10. Cinematography
• Similar to thriller in the way that emotions are
emphasised. Close shots of face are commonly
used.
• Unlike thriller however, the film is usually
paced slowly with an importance of dialogue
as oppose to actions.
• The best films merge dialogue with action
perfectly to create cult classics. E.g. Pulp
Fiction.

11. Famous Drama films