Plot DevelopmentPlot Development

Thriller Plot ElementsThriller Plot Elements

Psychological thrillers commonly contain Psychological thrillers commonly contain themes of death, the mind (e.g. mental themes of death, the mind (e.g. mental illness) and revenge.illness) and revenge.

I looked at these as I was planning my I looked at these as I was planning my plot so that I could incorporate them and plot so that I could incorporate them and make my plot recognisable as that of a make my plot recognisable as that of a thriller.thriller.

Initial Plot IdeaInitial Plot Idea

My plot synopsis is this:My plot synopsis is this: A man has had his loved ones murdered (theme A man has had his loved ones murdered (theme

of death) by a gang of criminals. Thirsting for of death) by a gang of criminals. Thirsting for revengerevenge, he encounters a strange man known , he encounters a strange man known only as The Watcher, who describes himself as a only as The Watcher, who describes himself as a ‘guardian angel’. The Watcher promises to help ‘guardian angel’. The Watcher promises to help the man exact his vengeance. (The Watcher is a the man exact his vengeance. (The Watcher is a figment of the man’s imagination, linking with figment of the man’s imagination, linking with mental illness).mental illness).

Narrative StructureNarrative Structure

Most narratives follow the ‘three-act-structure’:Most narratives follow the ‘three-act-structure’: Set-up, conflict and resolution. Set-up, conflict and resolution. The setup introduce characters, their situations The setup introduce characters, their situations

and a problem.and a problem. The conflict is the bulk of the story, as the The conflict is the bulk of the story, as the

catalyst sets events into motion.catalyst sets events into motion. The resolution is the problem being solved by The resolution is the problem being solved by

the characters, all the story elements coming the characters, all the story elements coming together, and the ending.together, and the ending.

Applying Narrative Structure Applying Narrative Structure I will apply narrative structure to my plot to I will apply narrative structure to my plot to

make it fit film codes and conventions.make it fit film codes and conventions. Setup: Introduction of the man and his situation Setup: Introduction of the man and his situation

(loved ones murdered). Introduction of The (loved ones murdered). Introduction of The Watcher.Watcher.

Conflict: The clash between the man, The Conflict: The clash between the man, The Watcher and the criminals (fights, stand offs).Watcher and the criminals (fights, stand offs).

Resolution: The end of the fighting, man has Resolution: The end of the fighting, man has revenge but is arrested and shown to have revenge but is arrested and shown to have become insane; The Watcher was an imagined become insane; The Watcher was an imagined figure.figure.

Applying Narrative Structure To My Applying Narrative Structure To My TrailerTrailer

Trailers generally only feature setup and conflict, Trailers generally only feature setup and conflict, as these features attract the viewer so that they as these features attract the viewer so that they want to see the film and find out what the want to see the film and find out what the resolution is.resolution is.

Therefore, for my trailer, I will film scenes from Therefore, for my trailer, I will film scenes from the setup and conflict portions of my plot. I will the setup and conflict portions of my plot. I will not film any of the resolution as this would not film any of the resolution as this would reveal the ‘twist’ in the plot, rendering the film reveal the ‘twist’ in the plot, rendering the film less effective to audiences.less effective to audiences.