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Conventions of Thriller

Joseph.M.Toyer

This is a presentation featuring the conventions of the genre ‘Thriller’.

I will mention the typical elements such as storylines, themes, characters and the use of editing.

Introduction

Your protagonist is set up against a problem, whether it be a mission, escape or a mystery.

The danger of this problem will always be emphasised.

There are often going to be chases and/or fights.

The main question in a thriller is usually not who did it but can they be stopped before they strike again?

Typical Storylines

The Protagonist faces death, either theirs or someone else’s.

The Antagonist has a stronger force than the Protagonist.

There will be characters supporting the Antagonist and sometimes characters supporting the Protagonist.

Typical Characters

Ordinary suburbs and cities are where these normally take place.

Sometimes there is the appearance or the whole film being in a foreign city, deserts and polar regions.

Settings

The main storyline for the Protagonist is that there is either a quest or a character can’t be put down.

The main plotline focuses on a mystery that must be solved.

The film’s narrative is mostly in the possession of the Protagonist.

All actions and characteristic are realistic or natural.

Two themes that underpin the Thriller genre are the desire for justice and morality of individuals.

Themes

Music composed or used has to build up tension or be eerie so as to maintain the suspense in the audience.

Use of Sound

Visual alterations can involve low key lighting for the mystery factor.

Trimming edits can involve quick cuts. Changing camera angles, not too much

but quite a bit will keep the audience interested.

Also adding your music to complete the piece helps.

Use of Editing

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thriller_(genre)

http://www.slideshare.net/lewisharland/conventions-of-the-thriller-genre-11373344

References

I have learnt about more conventions in the thriller genre that I at first did not know of.

I used to believe thriller was very much like horror but it actually turns out their main conventions don’t relate to fear but relate to action, mystery and missions.

These will help me with the production of my thriller opening sequence that I am soon to create.

I think thriller are more like Metz’s theory for genre because Thriller can easily be depicted in many ways, particularly with the deconstruction part.

Conclusion