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Thriller Research

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Thriller Research Michelle Cheng

http://thescriptlab.com/screenplay/genre/thriller
Movie genre: Thriller * Is a genre that revolves around anticipation and suspense * The aim for thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. * The protagonist in these films is set against a problem- an escape, a mission, or a mystery * No matter what sub-genre a thriller film falls into, it will ALWAYS emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces. The tension with the main problem is built on throughout the film and leads to a highly stressful climax
Examples of Thriller Films: * The Great Escape: A large group of POW’s plan an escape from a German camp in WW2 * The Silence of the Lambs: An FBI agent develops relationship with the notorious serial killer in order to fain his assistance in the hunt for another serial killer * North By Northwest: Mistaken for a government agent by foreign spies, an advertising agent travels cross-country trying to survive.
Sub-Genres of Thriller: * Action: uses physical action to create suspense. (Die Hard, Kill Bill Vol,1, The Bourne Identity ) * Crime: incorporates the suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime plot. (Jagged Edge) * Film-Noir: stylistic type of crime-drama or thriller that was popular in 1940-1950. Is characterized by a black and white style with stark lighting effects. Main character is usually a cynical hero. (Sunset Boulevard, The Maltese Falcon, Sweet Smell of Success) * Psychological: incorporates elements of drama and mystery (Memento, Rear Window, Taxi Driver) * Science Fiction: incorporates hypothetical, science-based themes into plot of film. (Aliens, Inception, District 9) * Religious: incorporates religious themes, questions, ceremonies and objects. (The Ninth Gate, The Da Vinci Code, The Devil’s Advocate) http://www.steves-digicams.com/knowledge-center/how-tos/filmmaking-tips/shooting-a-movie-genre-thriller.html#b Shooting a Thriller Film * To make a thriller even more special, create lots of dangerous situations to put your character in. * Choose one hero/group of heroes that manage to the audience’s expectations. This will keep the audience guessing as to whether or not the heroes will survive. http://www.squidoo.com/top-10-thriller-movies Most popular Thriller Movies 1. 2. The game (1997) 3. Taxi Driver (1976) 4. Silence of the Lambs (1991) 5. The Prestige (2006) 6. The Sixth Sense (1999) 7. Pulp Fiction (1994) 8. Inception (2010) 9. Se7ev (1995) 10. The shinning (1980) 11. Jaw (1975)

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