Thriller Genre Research

Thriller movies often follow the same conventions in terms of editing. Many thriller films use quick cuts with each of the cut varying in camera angles and shot distance.


The opening of most thriller films don't usually give most of the film's plot away, instead they tend to introduce the audience to the setting of the film and often a character.


The character(s) featured in thriller films are either 'good' characters, or 'bad' characters. The good characters are usually weak and vulnerable to the bad characters. The bad characters are usually strong, dangererous and usually set out to get the good characters, this is a common plot of a thriller movie.

Differentiation Between Classifications 15 & 18

Films with classification '15' are for viewers of the age of atleast 15, they do not feature as extreme content as films classified '18', therefore younger viewers are able to watch these films. One example of a classified '15' thriller film is '1408'.

Films with classification '18' are for viewers of the age of atleast 18. Content featured in these films can contain extreme violence, sex scenes, disturbing scenes and breaching of criminal law. One example of a classified '18' thriller film is 'Psycho'.

Other Students' Thriller Openings Analysis

'Room To Breath'

Genre: Hybrid - Thriller/Romance

Audience: 15

Technical Ability: Level 2

This is how I graded the thriller intro after watching it, I believed it was a good plot to the intro but aslong as it's positives it also had some negatives. I classified it '15' because it was rather distressing but I think it was suitable for people aged atleast 15.

Positives:

• It had steady shots when appropriate.
• Good lighting choices.
• Appropriate editing.
• Good contrast in music.
• Good plot.

Negatives:

• There wasn't a wide range of shot distances.
• Some of the sounds weren't well timed, like the girl's scream.
• It seemed more like a film trailer rather than an opening.

What I have learned from this film opening: I thought the contrast in this opening was effectful and I could possibly include some sort of contrast in my opening.

'Unrequited Loved'

Genre: Hybrid - Thriller/Romance

Audience: 12A

Technical Ability: Level 3

This is how I graded this film opening, i believed the editing was especially good but I didn't think the opening had a good plot. I classified it '12A' because it did follow the conventions of the thriller genre with the girl cutting the paper with a pair of scissors, but it wasn't scary nor distressing.

Positives:

• Very good editing.
• It had steady shots when appropriate.
• Good use of audio and sounds.
• Good close-up shots.

Negatives:

• Very continuous.
• Weak plot.
• The girl cutting the paper with a pair of scissors was a bit of a cliché.
• Not a wide range of shot distances.
• I thought sequences were too quick.

What i have learned from this film opening: I thought the editing was very good and i thought the quick cuts were effective so I may include quick cuts in my film opening.

'Root Cause'

Genre: Thriller/Horror

Audience: 15

Technical Ability: Level 4

This is how I graded this film opening, I believed the editing was very good and they used camera effects well created a traditional black and white style which suited the content. I classified it '15' because although there was one particular disturbing scene, it wasn't presented graphically.

Positives:

• Good editing
• Good camera effects
• Good plot
• Good camera angles/shots
• Good use of non-diagetic music

Negatives:

• Continuety error
• Sometimes the camera wasn't steady

What I have learned from this opening: I thought the camera effects in this opening were good, and I might use this opening to help me incorperate some camera effects in my film opening.