Thriller Genre
Thriller films are types of films known to promote suspense, intense excitement high level anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. Thriller and suspense films have similar characteristics and key features. Typical conventions of a thriller would be features like location, costumes, set, actors (if they are well known for playing a role in a famous thriller film, this may draw the audiences attention to going to see the film in the first place.
Key camera shots featured in the thriller genre at the beginning a tracking or panning shot to interest the audience. Also another typical camera shot in a thriller is the close up/extreme close up, it builds suspense and mystery, especially in the beginning. Also low level and high level angles are a popular camera shots in thriller shots. Through these camera shots portray power and venerability. Thriller films use a wide range of camera shots to enable the audience to try to comprehend with what is going on. It also gives a different view to the audience to show something that the character wants to keep a secret. Clever camera angles work to the advantage of the director’s wishes. Especially in Tarentino’s Kill Bill vol. 1, the opening scene, where it focus’ on a close up of The Bride, and involves the tracking shot following ‘Bill’s’ feet.
Lighting is also a key aspect promoted in thriller films. Ambient lighting is a popular choice in thriller lighting. However in a majority of the films they have very dark lighting, almost none at all. In some scenes in thrillers, much like the opening scene in Kill Bill, it is featured in Black and white. This could be because they want to pay tribute to the 50’s thriller films but also, because then her wounds may look more realistic to the audience. Also it lets you focus on what you are watching rather than the wounds or the costumes. That scene is to establish that Bill tries to Murder the Bride.
Editing often works in favour of creating obstacles mysteries and anxiety for the audience. Jump cuts are often popular, it fills the audience in and create maximum effects; it is also visually pleasing for the audience.
Diegetic and Non-diegetic sound, especially in thriller genres is very effective. Music in the beginning creates a sound bridge this then becomes non-diegetic sound. Music can create effects without having any dialogue; especially in an intense scene music can carry the play forward.
A difficult but ambitious post re technical aspects of the genre. In an essay such as this you need to be careful to support points with reference to specfic texts. For example you say...
ReplyDelete.....Key camera shots featured in the thriller genre at the beginning a tracking or panning shot to interest the audience. (For example?) Also another typical camera shot in a thriller is the close up/extreme close up, it builds suspense and mystery, especially in the beginning......(For example?)
To avoid generalisations, in future reference to generic aspects of lighting or camera angles you must illustrate your points. Note my example bellow:
"In two low budget thriller films "Essex Boys" and "Animal Kingdom" ambient lighting is a feature of the outdoor locations, this is to connote....... Close ups are another cinematic technique utilised to position the audience with a specific character, for example, the extreme close up shots of the mutilated bride in the title sequence of "Kill Bill 1" positions the audience with the bride so that they can engage with her distress, whilst the close up tracking shots of Bill's cow boy boots, bracelet and handkerchief with his name on it connote his vanity, arrogance and cruelty whilst also establishing his relationship with the bride.
Well done for identifying generic aspects of thrillers but more evidence of your excellent research to strengthen your points.