Time to get more familiar with the Thriler genre.
Find out about the generic conventions of Thrillers, the different ways in which the sub-genres are categorised, including a look at Charles Derry's classification. Look at how well thrillers do at the box office, which are the most successful of recent times, which are the classics of the genre.
Start watching too! Embed extracts, opening sequences, screen grabs. Look at gender representation and typical narratives in Thrillers.
In other words, familiarise yourself with the genre!
Follow us.
Showing posts with label generic conventions. Show all posts
Showing posts with label generic conventions. Show all posts
07/12/2012
Thriller Generic Conventions
Thriller conventions ( with thanks, to Longroadmedia who posted this
originally on their blog.)
Obviously, many thrillers these days are hybrids ie. they draw from more than 1 set of conventions. However, it is still possible to create a list of thriller conventions. Consider the list below in your analysis and technical construction of a thriller:
Thriller Generic Characteristics
The narrative centres around a crime eg. a theft or a murder.
The protagonist is fallible and has an 'Achilles heel' that is exploited by the antagonist.
The title of the thriller may relate to this weakness eg Vertigo and Insomnia.
The protagonist will be seen 'in peril' in one or more scenes before the resolution.
The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.
The narrative presents ordinary situations in which extraordinary things happen.
Micro elements combine in a build up of suspense. ( Micro means film elements like camerawork, sound, narrative, genre, mise-en-scene, lighting, costumes, actors and facial expressions, etc.)
Themes of identity are common: mistaken identity, doubling/doppelgangers, amnesia.
Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring. Manipulation of perspectives, visual McGuffins, and optical illusions are common.
The audience of a thriller is placed in the ambiguous position of voyeur. Voyeurism can also be a theme and the objectification of female characters is common especially in earlier thrillers.
A series of/ one important enigma(s) are/is set up in the opening sequence of the film, is further complicated during the first part of the film and only resolved at the very end.
Obviously, many thrillers these days are hybrids ie. they draw from more than 1 set of conventions. However, it is still possible to create a list of thriller conventions. Consider the list below in your analysis and technical construction of a thriller:
Thriller Generic Characteristics
The narrative centres around a crime eg. a theft or a murder.
The protagonist is fallible and has an 'Achilles heel' that is exploited by the antagonist.
The title of the thriller may relate to this weakness eg Vertigo and Insomnia.
The protagonist will be seen 'in peril' in one or more scenes before the resolution.
The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.
The narrative presents ordinary situations in which extraordinary things happen.
Micro elements combine in a build up of suspense. ( Micro means film elements like camerawork, sound, narrative, genre, mise-en-scene, lighting, costumes, actors and facial expressions, etc.)
Themes of identity are common: mistaken identity, doubling/doppelgangers, amnesia.
Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring. Manipulation of perspectives, visual McGuffins, and optical illusions are common.
The audience of a thriller is placed in the ambiguous position of voyeur. Voyeurism can also be a theme and the objectification of female characters is common especially in earlier thrillers.
A series of/ one important enigma(s) are/is set up in the opening sequence of the film, is further complicated during the first part of the film and only resolved at the very end.
12/11/2012
Investigating generic conventions
You will be completing NICCS grids on Blade Runner, The Bourne Identity and one other trailer from the list below.
Generic Conventions AS task
Secondly, you should post your class notes on Genre. Why did you learn? What are the debates around genre? What is the importance of star association with a genre? What can we look for to identify a genre?
What about the triangular relationship?
You could write some bullet points to sum up your responses.
Generic Conventions AS task
Secondly, you should post your class notes on Genre. Why did you learn? What are the debates around genre? What is the importance of star association with a genre? What can we look for to identify a genre?
What about the triangular relationship?
You could write some bullet points to sum up your responses.
09/11/2012
Coursework Research: Genre and Genre Theory (independent study - due in week starting 12.11.12)
Here is a selection of useful PPTs to help you with this key media concept.
Read them to consolidate your understanding, including the different ways in which Thriller sub-genres are categorised.
Make sure you start with the first two - focus on Charles Derry's way to categorise thrillers.
By the end, you should have an excellent grasp of thriller subgenres and their generic conventions.
Read them to consolidate your understanding, including the different ways in which Thriller sub-genres are categorised.
Make sure you start with the first two - focus on Charles Derry's way to categorise thrillers.
By the end, you should have an excellent grasp of thriller subgenres and their generic conventions.
Genre theory from HeworthMedia
Genre Theory from MissMoore866
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)