The genre I would like to make my movie would be a thriller. The types of films that are classed as thrillers are movies such as:
Thriller movies generally consist of a 'battle' between the main protagonist character and the main antagonist character. After several events in the story ( that build tension and suspense) the protagonist and the antagonist most often come face to face for one final 'battle'. The main aim for the protagonist is to achieve justice whilst the antagonist aims to destroy any hope of this.
Conventions of a Thriller
The thriller genre can be split into different categories. For example an Action thriller would have different conventions to a Psychological thriller. Another example is a Crime thriller such as Pulp fiction. These are usually about a failed crime or about committing a crime. Usual conventions include guns, shootouts, kidnapping and murders. While a Horror thriller are usually about scaring people- it always has the element of fear, either mentally, physically or emotionally. It usually includes the element of suspense to keep the audience's attention. An example of this is the movie House Of Wax which creates this idea of suspense and surprise by making the main villain not who the audience thought it was.
The usual conventions in a thriller movie include:
- Quick cuts- These add tension and excitement to the scene which keeps the audience's attention.
- Changes in angles- These help show who is more dominant in the scene and helps the audience realize who has the most power and who has less. This helps establish what type of people the characters are because if a low angle shot of the antagonist(s) is shown such as in Reservoir dogs :
- Music- The music in thrillers are normally very intense and therefore create tension.
- Montage of shots- These are usually shown in flashbacks and add mystery to the movie.
- Diegetic sounds of breathing- These add tension and suspense to the movie.
- Close ups- This type of shot is used to show the characters emotions as quite often it is unclear what the character is really feeling as they are portrayed as the strong 'hero' type character.
- Quick shots of the antagonist character- This is used to add mystery to this characters identity and therefore adds mystery to the film.
- Lighting- The lighting is often low key and adds mystery and tension to the movie.
Important elements
The setting/ location for any thriller movie is very important as it helps the audience establish a recurring theme. Most thrillers start in an urban type setting. Voice overs are used to narrate the story in some movies such as in Fight Club. This helps add mystery to the movie and it also helps the audience understand more about the movie and its plot.
The titles/ credits in thriller movies are often done over a black screen with non diegetic music being played over the top to set the scene. In some thrillers an event is shown before the actual titles, this helps the audience establish what the film could be about. This also adds mystery and gains the audiences attention. The opening credits often show the most important film companies or actors names first before the actual title of the movie. This is due to marketing/branding and who's in the movie often influences the number of people that watch the film.
The style of thriller movie I am hoping to make is a: Neo Noir. A neo noir is an updated version of Film Noir, with themes and situations that are much more modern. An example of a movie which is done in the style of Neo Noir:
Sin City is a Neo Noir movie released in 2005. The unique selling point of this movie is that as well as being edited to be black and white, certain colours such as red, yellow and green are shown. These help show emotion as well as certain themes such as the colour red being used to represent blood/death and the colour green being used to represent envy or even wealth and greed. The element of adding colours to a black and white movie was something that hadn't previously been done before and was a big success by adding this never before done element.
Conventions of Film Noir
- The typical setting of a noir film is usually very urban. This includes empty streets and alleyways. Industrial settings such as refineries and train yards are also sometimes used. Damp streets and streets after raining is another convention but adds an element of sadness to the movie- usually to reflect a hidden past the protagonist has.
- Darkness and smoke/fog are often associated with this type of film. It gives a mysterious edge to the movie as well as a sense of danger. Cigarettes are also shown in Film Noir movies which adds to the smoke effect and creates mystery.
- Lighting is one of the most important convention of a Film Noir movie. It is best if it is Low Key lighting which creates shadows which always face the main character. Venetian blinds are often used to create these shadows on the characters face and suggests to the audience that there is more than what meets the eye so it adds mystery.
- Reflections are also used to add mystery to the characters and is often used to reflect how the character is feeling.
- Jazz music is regularly used in Film Noir movies as well as the sound of heavy breathing, voice overs and even silence. These help build the story and add tension to the scenes.
- The main type of characters shown are usually: The protagonist who is normally a detective type person, a female "Femme Fetale" who tries to distract the protagonist , the antagonist usually a criminal of some kind and corrupt police.
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