What is a genre?A genre is a type of film that they are categorised usually by distinct

conventions for that particular genre. There are many different types of genres some of which include: Action, Comedy, Horror, Thriller, Sci-Fi and Romance.

Sometimes these genres combine to create Hybrids, some classic Hybrids that have developed include rom-com, dark fantasy and action comedy.

Thriller Thriller films use mainly suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements to create the typical conventions of this genre of film.

Thriller films tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced. Devices such as red herrings, plot twists and cliff-hangers are used extensively.

Common subgenres are psychological thrillers, crime thrillers and mystery thrillers

The horror and action genres often overlap with the thriller genre.

The narrative centres around a crime e.g.. a theft or a murder.

The protagonist is fallible and has an 'Achilles heel' that is exploited by the antagonist.

The title of the thriller may relate to this weakness e.g. Vertigo and Insomnia.

The protagonist will be seen 'in peril' in one or more scenes before the resolution.

The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.

The narrative presents ordinary situations in which extraordinary things happen.Micro elements combine in a build up of suspense. ( Micro means film elements like camerawork, sound, narrative, genre, mise-en-scene, lighting, costumes, actors and facial expressions, etc.)

Themes of identity are common: mistaken identity, doubling/doppelgangers, amnesia.

• set up in the opening sequence

Conventions of a thriller film

I am so mainstream it hurts my balls

Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring. Manipulation of perspectives, visual McGuffins, and optical illusions are common.

The audience of a thriller is placed in the ambiguous position of voyeur. Voyeurism can also be a theme and the objectification of female characters is common especially in earlier thrillers.

A series of important enigmas are set up in the opening sequence of the film, is further complicated during the first part of the film and only resolved at the very end.

Micro elements combine in a build up of suspense. ( Micro means film elements like camerawork, sound, narrative, genre, mise-en-scene, lighting, costumes, actors and facial expressions, etc.)

Themes of identity are common: mistaken identity, doubling/doppelgangers, amnesia.

Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring. Manipulation of perspectives, visual McGuffins, and optical illusions are common.

The audience of a thriller is placed in the ambiguous position of voyeur. Voyeurism can also be a theme and the objectification of female characters is common especially in earlier thrillers.

A series of important enigmas are set up in the opening sequence of the film, is further complicated during the first part of the film and only resolved at the very end.

Alfred Hitchcock

Typical styles:

Breaks cliché of characterskeeps the story simpleHumour to add tensionCamera is not a camera(moves freely) Point of view editingSurprise the audience

Examples of thrillers:

Sin City – 2005Eyes wide shut – 1999Pulp Fiction – 1994Snatch – 2000Frenzy – 1972The Dark Knight – 2008Goodfellas – 1990Inception – 2010

Analysis of a thriller poster

Looking at Pulp Fictionposter the first thing youare drawn to is the name of the film. This is becauseof the contrasting coloursof red and yellow that attractyou to it, so you instantly recognise the name of the film. This main image of

Uma Thurman who, in this image, portrays a sexy(her pose) sophisticated (cigarette) and the gun (dangerous)

do you subscribe to a film service

Questionnaire

4

16

Gender

FemaleMale

2

4

12

2

Age

16171819

10

4

4

2

Favourite Genre

ThrillerHorrorActionComedy

What kind of music would you expect?

Orchestral

Rap

Pop

Rock

What is the best method of advertising

Postersleafletsfilm TrailerWebsite

Favourite Thriller filmss

Pulp FictionBatmanInceptionGoodfellas

What Genre do you think this poster represents?

HorrorThrillerComedyAdventureRomanceAction

How would you rate it out of 10?

1 2 3

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7 8 9

10