Media studies

Thriller subgenera’s:

Crime thrillers:

Crime thrillers are based around the idea of high-tension illegal situations usually with high stakes, this can take the form of murder, robbery, terrorist attacks, etc… There are endless different ways movies portray crimes from both perspectives, the criminal or the supposed good guys, either or even both can be depicted as the films protagonist(s). Themes of crime thrillers can contain conflict between status such as the poor steeling from the rich as a single example, or a high crime rates in a low-income region as setting (gang related criminal activity). Usually criminals are traditionally filled by more male, a regular movie trope that involves the idea of gender is murder out of passion (involving love, lust, affairs, etc…).  Often the characters in a crime thriller are able and dangerous physical or/and mental demands are usually placed as the characters stop/commit crimes. Crime thrillers usually contain characteristics of conspiracy, corruption, and ruthlessness.

Film:

Conventions:

Enigma: in crime thrillers an enigmas are used through the lack of information that may be given to the protagonist in scenes where the viewer must piece together what is happening , this may come in a form of a bloody weapon background, screams, etc… Enigmas give the viewer smaller clues that are collected up over the course of the film used to figure out the crime by the end of the film.

Props: props are crucial to the progression of the film as things such as clothes utilise the way characters are viewed, uniforms con represent unity or connection with a specific group (this can be used by nefarious groups or security organisations). Weapons are a common example of props used in crime thrillers; they are usually in the form of a murder weapon.

Place: the location of the thriller is vitally important ( this includes the time of day scenes are shot) as it gives a look into the state of the setting in the film, if shot in a low income area there is a higher chance of potential gang related activity, or if its in a higher status place it may include fraud and embezzlement. Where the protagonist lives or comes from gives context to the character and there actions in the film.

Action thrillers

Action thrillers use fast passed story lines which primarily focus on conflict, usually there are some form of combat between characters. There are usually higher levels of violence, linking with a theme of urgency as the protagonist races to stop the antagonist. Action thrillers can often link to other sub genres of thrillers such as supernatural, crime, etc.

conventions:

Music: fast passed music is a staple of action thriller movies, the music changes throughout the film indicating danger or tension building. the music can help the viewer connect with the character through the use of emotive music and suspense .

Camera angles and positioning: the use of fast cuts create tension and suspense, the fast pass of the cuts  puts the viewer on the edge of their seats as the action takes place. close ups are also a major part of action thrillers that show the viewer to understand how the characters feel as the pressure of heir task effects them.

location: the placement of the action is a big part of action thrillers as the landscape defines how the film can proceed with the inevitable conflict. a battle royal style fight could ensue in an open landscape (or at least a large accessible area) or a one on one showdown in a small area where the fate of the characters comes down to a single moment.

Supernatural thriller:

Supernatural thrillers use aspects of the supernatural such as haunting of spirits than have unfinished business or have malicious intent. Supernatural thrillers can share many similar themes to horror through the use of families and unnatural powers working against a protagonist creating a feeling of dread as they have to overcome the odds and try to figure out how to deal with the unknown they are operating in.

Conventions:

Sound: sound is crucial to this type of thriller as the uses of noise vary between light noises or music  to sharp and loud music and noises, these crate the atmosphere of the film building suspense and tension. the lack of sound in a film can be just as effective in creating the atmosphere of the film as well as it can create an emotive respond from the viewer.

camera positioning:the use of over the solder and perspective shots allow the viewer to connect with the protagonist as they navigate what is usually a unknown landscape of the supernatural. use of high and low angels also can represent power of  the characters and/or other beings

Physiological thrillers:

Physiological thrillers utilise the way the way the mind works and finds ways of bending and manipulating the plot, graphics, effects, etc… Physiological thrillers emphasise how the world is viewed then corrupting it, asking the question is the reality controlled by perception without a true set of rules or is the mind a sum of a persons being having no real effect on the world? this genera of thriller usually tries to make the viewer ask themselves deeper questions as they go on a perilous journey with the protagonist down to the depths of madness to uncover the truth if the protagonist can even truly return.

Mystery thrillers:

Mystery thrillers utilise fast passed story telling furthering the plot with unforeseen twists that can be hard to predict , the fast pass allows the story to unravel with many different possible outcomes giving the viewer an opportunity to try and guess the outcome of each decision and action. These thrillers utilise many clues guiding the viewers to potential outcomes, depending on the film the director my guide the viewer to correct or incorrect assumptions.  These films can sometimes leave some details ambiguous to leave the viewer to interpret what is happening.

Sci-Fi thrillers:

Sci-Fi thrillers focus on the what is usually a futuristic setting where there is some sort of scientific breakthrough that could change the world for better or worse. The protagonist tries to prevent the wrong people from gaining access to what ever plot device the writer uses as the source of the characters interests; the plot device is usually some form of technology. The protagonist must figure out how to protect and if possible, use the plot device to progress the story all while under the tension and stress of the threat being possessed to them.