A thriller is a genre for film created to build suspense and excitement in an audience, the aim is to create mystery and make the audience ask questions.
In thrillers the characters, especially the main character, the protagonist should appear isolated, and vulnerable especially compared to the antagonist. There should also be a subtle shift of power over the course of the film, power should initially lie with the antagonist, the protagonist should only gain the upper hand half way through after struggling. The two characters represent the struggle of good Vs evil, light Vs dark. Eventually good must win though, the protagonist must dominate the antagonist.
An important element in thriller films is Camera Movement and Angles. This convention helps to give a film its thriller genre, as different camera angles can create different senses of body language and emotions. Camera Angles such as over the shoulder shots, facial close ups and mid shots are the most commonly used in thrillers. Close up shots are also used to show emotions when needed, adding to the suspense build up. Whereas over the shoulder shots give the audience a look into what the characters are seeing, showing clearly what it is the they're afraid off. it shows the problems the protagonist must overcome. They also give the audience chance to relate to characters, and build a relationship with them, it can help the audience to see the reasoning behind certain actions. The important thing to remember about thriller's is that there should be variety in the camera movement, and the overall product should cause a build up in suspense in the audience. A shot usually included in most thrillers is a shot showing characters looking into a mirror, as this shot represents personal reflection. Reflection on a characters life and actions.
Editing in thrillers is a great way to add suspense- quick cuts showing lots of different angles allows for a fast pace to build as and gives the audience an idea of the action to come. Another editing technique that is used in thrillers is fade to black, this adds suspense as it makes the audience question what is about to come, or what it is they didn't see. It's these questions that add mystery and suspense.
Mise-en-Scene in thrillers is important as its these elements which help to add suspense, mystery and drama. Lighting in a thriller is important, therefore low-key lighting should be used. Thrillers need to be dark to give the film a dark, gloomy mood and help to make the audience feel more suspense in regards to the film. as they are unable to clearly see all of the surrounding area around the characters. Another thing which also makes the opening off a thriller stick to its codes and conventions are the props used, in thriller films there should be sharp objects, like glass, knifes but also objects of addiction such as alcohol, caffeine, and drugs. These types of props show the audience what type of personality characters have, they indicate future events and hint towards characters natures.
Ambient music is a great way for tense scenes to be created, building suspense suitable for thrillers. It creates panic and tension in the audience as they automatically associate ambient music with tension.
The set and location also helps add to the genre of the film, as locations such as dark woods make the audience wary, it's isolated and anything could happen. It makes the audience fearful as these type of locations can easily be accessed by everyday people. These type of locations that build suspense and tension in the audience.
No comments:
Post a Comment