Genre Research- Thriller

    The first genre I chose to research is Thriller. I am researching this genre specifically because I hope to create a 2 minute opening film as something listed under this category. When I think of thriller I also think about suspense and something that would have you at the edge of your seat during a film, which is also why I chose to research this genre. 

    Thriller is usually a type of genre that ties into other genre's such as horror, crime, action, etc. It is mainly there to cause feelings of excitement, suspense, surprise, and anxiety. The plot we typically see in thrillers involve characters coming into conflict with each other, and emphasizes danger the protagonist faces. Audiences usually expect to be scared or filled with adrenaline and see a lot of action in this type of genre. The thriller genre is typically categorized with other genres such as mystery or horror, like the ones listed above.

    There are many different techniques to go along with the thriller genre. To start, thriller movies will often times use a low lighting or chiaroscuro lighting technique to make a scene look darker or scarier, since thriller is often tied in with horror or crime like genres. An example of this could be seen in the Friday the 13th series, throughout most of the movies the light was often low especially in scenes that involved a crime being committed. Often times in thriller movies producers will use villains, because having someone to cause problems or pain to others is a great thriller, or way to make the audience feel anxious or cause suspense. Along with villains there usually comes victims that the villain is hurting or causing problems towards. We can see this effect in movies like Fear Street, when the Goode family continues to curse and kill victims. A common camera technique could be low angle shots, which is used to give a character power. For example, in the movie Halloween (first movie) Michael Myers is seen to be looking over a balcony in a house with a knife in his hand which shows intensity. For different sound techniques, in thrillers sound effects like footsteps or gun shots could be added to show an action but mostly causes worry to those around. In the fallout movie, there is a school shooting which creates worry and scares high schoolers in the school. Finally, in editing, often times producers will blur the background of a scene to focus on a characters facial expression which is also referred to as shallow focus. We can see this in use in the movie smile when the camera gets up close to one of the characters smiling and the background is blurred, building more suspension based on their smiling expression during a manic time.

    Many trailers to movies are released around four months ahead of time to give audiences enough time to see the trailer and get excited for the film. Many people find out about trailers through social media and advertisements such as movie posters in theaters or pictures/ videos on billboards. A good example could be times square in New York, since they have large screen with advertisements on them everywhere. Almost all genres, not just thriller advertise on social media such as Instagram, Facebook, twitter, TikTok, even Snapchat. Often times on these social media apps, people can interact with producers or cast members by commenting under a post or sending messages to them directly on the apps. Granted, often times people try to interact with these producers/ cast members online its not always a guarantee they will communicate back. This is why things like press events and interviews are set up for fans to ask questions and get additional information on films. Many actors and directors can also appear on television to help spread the word about their upcoming film. This can get many people to watch it, because they may favor a certain actor or director. To advertise further, there is not only television commercials, but also radio commercials for those who still listen to music or other information on radios. Lastly to help advertise, companies will pair up and work together to promote something. An example of this synergy could be when Toy Story 3 went on Dancing With The Stars to promote their film, or when Disney used the cover of an ESPN Magazine to promote the release of Marvel's The Avengers movie.

    Overall a great movie that represents the thriller genre is one of my favorites, Level 16. This movie deals with a girl named Vivian who realizes this prison-like place many girls including her are staying in is very off. She finds out that they have been giving them pills that make them sleep not to keep them healthy. Vivian keeps this information to herself until she is reunited with a former friend who betrayed her. They work together to find a way out of the dangerous place, and find out some very unsettling truths about the operation that is running while they are there. This movie represents the thriller genre, because it has villain's and many victims, which emphasizes character conflict, especially that of the protagonist. This movie also causes the audience watching to feel suspense, surprise, anxiety, etc. and really keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout the entire film.