Research Into The Thriller Genre
Thriller (also Suspense) is a broad genre of ,literature, film, and television programming that uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements. Thrillers heavily stimulate the viewer's moods giving them a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and/or terror. Thriller films tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced. Literary devices such as red herrings, plot twists and cliffhangers are used extensively. A thriller is villain-driven plot, whereby he or she presents obstacles that the hero must overcome. The aim for thrillers is to keep the audience alert and on the edge of their seats. Common methods and themes in crime thrillers are mainly ransoms, captivities, heists, revenge, kidnappings. - Wikipedia.
Above I have took some initial research into 'Thriller' and underlined the key terms and conventions. A key point I found when watching thriller short films, is that they all have a twist to the storyline, this is most likely because the films are so short, that without a twist in the story, it would simply not be interesting.
Existing Thriller Short Films
Table 7- By Marko Slavic
Summary
I really like this short film. I like how it challenges Todorovs theory slightly as it introduces the 'distruption' almost at the very start of the film. I like the dual narrative effect, and the simplicity of it adding more suspense and mystery as to who is it is listening. I think that angles are done cleverly in creating a effect of obscurity in the second setting, and a sense of observing the couple on the table as if you were there. I think the use of dialogue is balanced perfectly to allow the viewer to think and take in what is going on. The ending is also very good, with a clever twist.
Scene 26 - By Rob Hardy
Summary
Scene 26 is defiantly the most obscure short film I have researched into so far. Having no dialogue makes it even more enjoyable as it leaves you on the edge of your seat, in suspense to what the man might find. Again it disrupts todorovs theory, by starting at the 'disruption' stage as straight away we see a man some what in danger. The film kept me engaged the whole time as I didn't want to miss anything that may have happened. The reality based plot makes it even more tense.
The Sandman- By Paul Berry
Summary
This is a truly fantastic animation. I love the style of it and how the simplicity of not having any fancy effects puts even more focus on the story and the tension being built. The innocence and fear of the young boy is portrayed very well, and includes great use of music. Again, it disrupts Todorovs theory by not going back to the 'equilibrium'. A what seems to be common technique for the 'thriller' genre.
Nought- By Jonathan Beamish
Summary
This film is the most obscure of the ones I have researched. I found the film on the Internet as I was researching into successful 'thriller' short films. It creates an incredible eerie effect and tells the story of a troubled young girl who seems to re-live an abusive past in a dream of her own making. The edits in the film really create a surreal effect, reminding me of a dark, scary version of Alice in Wonderland. The plot is very good and having no dialogue is very effective allowing the viewer to focus on the story. I feel this would link to both thriller and slight areas of 'horror', especially when the man appears from under the bed. There are also some very effective shots, including the long shots which are very scenic, and the transition shot as it goes up to the sky then back down.
Target Audience
After researching into thriller short films it has enabled me to gain more knowledge on the target audience of 'thriller', something I need to be aware of before making my short film. Like many genres, thriller has many sub-genres, which split the genre up depending on the type of film. For example some films are just normal thriller, with a twisting plot, obscure story and constant builds of tension and suspense. However others could borderline 'horror', being both. Or even be linked into children's stories for a children's audience but still a thriller, e.g The Sandman.
The type of person who would appeal more towards a film of the thriller genre would be into intrigue and mystery, with a twist. Or an interesting plot, where they can get involved and try and work out what is going on for themselves, keeping them constantly thinking, yet still enjoying the element of surprise.
There are many options for myself an Abigail, however we want to create a 'thriller' short film, that is mysterious, obscure and sinister. Appealing to the thrill seekers and allowing them to work out what is going on for themselves. Also as we are both 17/18 we feel the best age group to aim at is 16-25 years old.
Also a clear convention of most thriller films is to disrupt Todorovs theory in some way, therefore allowing the viewer to try and predict what will happen next, without it being predictable.
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