Exploring Sub genres of Thriller

 Thrillers come in a variety of genres but the 4 most popular one's I found interesting were Suspense, Mystery, Action, and Spy.

    Suspense Thriller

Suspense thrillers focus on tensions, dread, and anticipation. Some conventions is the tendency to place characters in vulnerable situations, close calls, and a sense of incoming danger.  An example of a movie that incorporates this is "A Quiet Place" which emphasizes on silence becoming a survival strategy. 

    Mystery Thriller 

In Mystery thrillers they hook the audiences with questions and tension through uncovering secrets, puzzles, and piecing together the clues. The typical conventions are crimes, twists, and slow burn revelations with a final aha moment. An example of this is "Knives out" movie which is a whodunit with sharp twists.

    Action Thriller

Action Thrillers thrive on danger and stakes, the plot moves fast making the audience feel as if they barely get a chance to breathe. Some code and conventions of action thrillers usually have a clear villain or threat and usually racing against a timeline. An example of this is in John Wick which has nonstop combat and pursuit after a personal loss.

Spy Thriller

 While John Wick has a straight line of vengeance, mission impossible is a race against technical failure. The clear threat in this movie is a global catastrophe and the "ticking clock" is often a literal countdown on a screen that Ethan Hunt is trying to reach. The plot has a fast pace forcing him through death defying acts and we also see team mates in this movie heightening the movie.

    

    Reflection

 

    Reviewing all the different sub genres within Thrillers made me realize how vast and unique each genre is and how they all incorporate different techniques to create a film that interest audiences. I was able to go over and see the typical techniques within each genre giving more insight and helping me understand how they each shape the film. In my film opening I want to ensure that my techniques reflect my genre.

    References

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-a-thriller

https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-is-a-thriller-definition/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Quiet_Place_(film)

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/mystery-vs-thriller

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knives_Out

https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-an-action-thriller

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wick

https://www.britannica.com/art/spy-fiction

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mission:_Impossible_(film)

Why knowing your thriller audience changes everything

     Thrillers are an adrenaline's dream, finding exactly what draws them to films are important to know especially when creating my own film opening.

    When looking at the demographics the "sweet spot" for audience is between the 18 and 44 age bracket. Another key component when considering which bracket you want to hit is figuring out what the Protagonist in the story, for example, if the protagonist is about a campus killer then it'll pull in gen z meanwhile if it's about a middle aged detective it'll resonate with boomers more. if the protagonist is the "who" that attracts your audience the sub-genre is the "how" that keeps them there. If they like the protagonist in the film but doesn't align with their taste and vibe then they wont stay which is where strategy comes into play. Instead of marketing your film for a certain audience you can promote the "campus killer" meanwhile promoting the layers and sub- genre's of the film.

    

    Moving onto how production teams track their audiences, in Hollywood finding an audience is the first thing they do even before production begins. By monitoring trends teams move into "Thin- Slicing Profiling" which moves beyond age and gender, these teams use "Lookalike modeling" to find viewers with certain browsing habits. Once they track your browsing habits algorithms then ensure that the trailer is the first thing they see. 

    This process continues through "Test Screenings" where they get a group sample of people to watch the movie and use heart monitoring devices to track their raw reactions and ensure that the jump scares and plot twist are perfectly aligned.

Reflection

    Learning about all these different techniques used to draw in audiences made me realize that creating a thriller opening is an art form. In order to succeed I have to make sure that I can balance the human element and sub genre and pacing to create the perfect story for adrenaline junkies. See you in my next post!

References

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-quadrant_movie

https://www.appier.com/en/blog/lookalike-modeling-an-effective-way-to-find-high-value-prospects

https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-filmuniversitaet/files/334/DissertationJannisFunk.pdf

https://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/features/science-of-scare/

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/359165765_Biometric_Signals_Reveal_How_Audiences_Engage_With_Stories

https://www.netflix.com/tudum/articles/carry-on-release-date-news-photos

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/228696967_Video_Surveillance_in_Hollywood_Movies

    

Finally Decided: Why I'm Going for a Thriller

      After discussing ideas as a team, we decided that a thriller would be the best option for our film because it allows us to build up tension, keep the audience engaged, and use classic genre conventions like suspense and danger.

Lighting and Music 

    In our film opening lighting will play a big role in setting the mood and enhancing suspense. I plan to use shadows, low-key lighting, and sudden changes in brightness to make certain scenes feel tense and even unpredictable. Music will also be a key in tying everything together like sudden sound cues which can heighten the audiences anxiety or signal danger. By combing lighting and music we can make the audience feel the same emotions as the characters which is essential in thrillers.

Camera angles and shots 

    Camera angles and shots are a huge part in building tension in a thriller. Close ups can capture a characters fear or anxiety allowing the audience to connect easily to their emotions while extreme angles or tilted shots can make scenes feel unsettling. Slow tracking shots can slowly reveal something in a suspenseful matter and quick cuts can create sudden moment of shock. The incorporation of hand held shots can also add a sense of chaos into our opening film making the audience feel as if they're apart of the action.

Reflection

I'm really excited to dive deeper into thrillers and start researching more about the thriller films and any special techniques they have. I can't wait to watch some thriller movies to see these ideas in action and get inspiration for our own film. I''ll share what I discover in my next vlog until then.

References 

https://prezi.com/ieip5bmg5sxe/lighting-used-in-thrillermystery-films/

https://filmustage.com/blog/the-art-of-lighting-in-cinema/

https://windsorgirls.weebly.com/gemini-productions/camera-angles-types-in-thriller-films

https://nofilmschool.com/horror-camera-angles

https://melthriller.blogspot.com/2013/02/typical-conventions-of-thriller-music.html

Understanding the Audiences of Comedy, Drama, and Fantasy

     I decided to watch a few trailers to see the difference in how they connect with their audiences. It was intriguing to realize how each genre does this differently, comedy trailers focus on laughs and relatable situations, drama trailers emphasize on emotion, and fantasy entrances you into a magical world. Watching them alongside shows how filmmakers target certain viewers in their own distinctive way.

Fantasy - Wicked 

As I watched the Wicked trailer it gave perfect example of what draws people to fantasy films. This story takes place in the Land of Oz and focuses on a complicated friendship between Elphaba and Glinda as they navigate their identities and growing up, Even though it's set in a fantastical world with flying brooms and bright colors the emotions feel real and relatable which is what makes fantasy audiences connect. Fans of fantasy, such as myself, love stepping into worlds bigger than life but also want characters and stories they care about which this trailer shows both. It also blends musical which appeals to a wider range of viewers from theater lovers to people who want a magical adventure. It's a clear example of how fantasy films aren't about magic but about making the audiences feel as if they are escaping into a new reality.

Comedy / Drama

    After watching the Wicked trailer and seeing how fantasy films pull audiences into magical worlds, I decided to go check out the Lady Bird trailer to see how a different genre would connect with viewers. Unlike fantasy, Lady Bird focuses on real life which is the story of a high school senior navigating family, friendships, and figuring out who she is. There isn't any magic or epic visuals but humor and relatable struggles which draws viewers. While fantasy films appeal to people looking to escape to a alternate universe comedy drama films appeal to viewers who want to see characters such as themselves who they can relate to and stories that reflect real experiences.

Reflection

Watching these trailers really made me think about how different genres connect with their audiences, it showed me how fantasy films use magic and big visual to pull in viewers while comedy drama connects through humor and real life struggles. Seeing this back to back made me realize how important it is to know who your audience is and what they want to feel. For my own film I want to this idea and make sure every choice from story and characters to visuals and tone is designed to reach the audience I'm aiming for.

References 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNi_HC839Wo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6COmYeLsz4c

Film Research on Fantasy, Drama, Comedy and Thriller

    Deciding on a film opening is one of the hardest part of the pre-production process in filming, recently my team members and I hit a wall becoming indecisive on which genre we should do. Although we had plenty of ideas we decided for each of us to research specific genres to see which vibe fit our vision.

Fantasy

  As I dove into the fantasy genre two films caught my attention, which were Wicked and The Green Knight. These films are a modern fantasy masterpiece, using lighting and clothing for visuals and a base to connect the audience to their themes.

Wicked 

    Wicked, directed by Jon M. Chu and shot by cinematographer Alice Brooks, uses lighting and costume design to clearly pay tribute to the original 1939 film while still reinventing the story in a more modern way.  The film references the classic use of color, contrast, and visual symbols but updates it with softer lighting and more detailed costuming. Glinda is seen as the "rising sun", frequently backlit by warm sunrise lighting that gives her a natural spotlight. This visual choice mirrors the idealized "good characters" in the original film, while also gives Glinda an ethereal almost dreamlike quality. Meanwhile, Elphaba is presented as the "setting sun", using darker tones and heavier lighting to reflect her misunderstood nature in the film. This contrast not only honors the visual storytelling but also deepens characters by showing how light and shadows can shape identities.

     

The Green Knight

    The Green Knight approaches fantasy differently from Wicked especially in context of genre conventions. Instead of using bright colors and clear good versus evil dynamics the film uses muted visuals, natural lighting, and a slow paced vibe to create an unsettling and reflective tone. Director David Lowery relies on these types of symbolism and minimal dialogue to challenge traditional fantasy narratives audiences are used to seeing now days. 

    

Comedy / Drama

 The first film that instantly came to mind when I started researching comedy and drama was Lady Bird. I had watched it in my sophomore year of high school, and it really resonated with me, which aligns with how these films make their stories feel real and relatable. Directed by Greta Gerwig the film draws out the drama through emotional conflicts, family dynamics, and lady birds journey to self discovery while also including comedic moments in awkward situations and everyday teen experiences. This balance makes the film both heartfelt and entertaining for the audience.

In terms of media conventions, the film uses close ups to emphasize intimate emotions and handheld camera shots to create a realistic, natural feel. Natural highlights the suburban setting, while music and diegetic sound establish the early 2000s atmosphere.

    

Thriller 

    For thriller the film I choose was "Carry on" by Jaume Collet-Serra this film uses an airport setting to create a sense of inescapable pressure. Similar to "Wicked" and how they use lighting to define a character, "Carry on" uses cinematography and pacing to transform an everyday location into a psychological cage.

    In this film the usage of technology is predominate such as security camera feeds, X-ray monitors, and phone screens to tell a story. This aligns with a tech thriller sub genre where the protagonist is being watched, the cinematography uses tight framing to show his lack of control contrastingly to the wide shots shown of the airport displaying the hundreds of lives at danger.

Reflection

From my research and analysis of films like Wicked, The Green Knight, and Lady Bird, I've learned that filmmakers use lighting, camera techniques, and narrative conventions to shape how the audiences connect with character and themes. However exploring the Thriller genre added a layer to my understanding which was the importance of tension technical precision.

I'm also interested in using lighting, camera angles, and media conventions purposefully to highlight characters. I would want my characters emotions to be communicated through these types of techniques so that my audience feels connected and involved. Overall, I feel like I'm on the right track and I'm excited to continue thinking about how genre, audience, and cinematic techniques can all work together to create a film that's both meaningful but visually engaging. 

References

https://platformmagazine.org/2023/04/19/a24-authentically-connecting-with-audiences/?

https://colorculture.org/cinematography-analysis-of-lady-bird-in-depth/?

https://studylib.net/doc/25842617/lady-bird-study-guide?

https://scholarworks.lib.csusb.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1340&context=history-in-the-making

https://filmquarterly.org/2021/10/08/the-green-knight-non-whiteness-and-landscape-punk-in-a24orror/

https://preserve.lehigh.edu/system/files/derivatives/coverpage/426182.pdf

https://medium.com/@nicfbalti/from-medieval-to-modern-how-the-green-knight-transforms-sir-gawains-quest-925ed1429a72