2. What is a thriller
• Thriller Film is a genre that revolves around
anticipation and suspense. The aim for Thrillers is
to keep the audience alert and on the edge of
their seats. The protagonist in these films is set
against a problem an escape, a mission, or a
mystery. No matter what sub-genre a Thriller film
falls into, it will emphasize the danger that the
protagonist faces. The tension with the main
problem is built on throughout the film and leads
to a highly stressful climax.
3. What are the different types of
thrillers?
• Action Thriller: Violence, Guns, Explosions, Car
chases, Aspects of mystery. E.g. Argo
• Crime Thriller: Murders, Kidnappings,
Unsuccessful crime. E.g. Taken
• Erotic Thriller: Contains the more sexual side of
life and also thrills
• Horror Thriller: Fear, Villain has mystical powers,
Fear factor, E.g. The conjuring.
• Psychological Thriller: More mental than physical
4.
5. • The hero of a thriller is often an ordinary person, allowing
for easy audience sympathy, although sometimes the hero
is a person with specialized training, such as a detective or
spy. The Bourne series of books and films combines both,
offering an amnesiac hero who is pursued by a mysterious
and powerful organization. This sort of group often makes
an ideal enemy. A main character who is outnumbered,
outgunned, and unsure whom to trust experiences the
sense of desperation that is a key element in the thriller
genre. Serial dramas often employ cliff-hangers, in which a
chapter or episode will end with a character trapped or
otherwise in jeopardy, with no apparent hope of escape.
6. Codes and conventions of a thriller
• Mirrors, low key lighting, Shadows, Quick cuts,
Different camera angles, tense music,
flashbacks, obtrusive editing e.g. this is quick
shots and are used to intensify suspense and
tension.
•
7. Christopher Nolan
•
Nolan's second film was Memento (2000), which he directed from his own screenplay based on a
short story by his brother Jonathan. Starring Guy Pearce, the film brought Nolan numerous
honours, including Academy Award and Golden Globe Award nominations for Best Original
Screenplay. Nolan went on to direct the critically-acclaimed psychological thriller, Insomnia (2002),
starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams and Hilary Swank.
The turning point in Nolan's career occurred when he was awarded the chance to revive the
Batman franchise in 2005. In Batman Begins (2005), Nolan brought a level of dignity back to the
iconic hero, and his gritty, modern interpretation was greeted with praise from fans and critics alike.
Before moving on to a Batman sequel, Nolan directed, co-wrote and produced the mystery
thriller The Prestige (2006), starring Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman as magicians whose obsessive
rivalry leads to tragedy and murder.
In 2008, Nolan directed, co-wrote, and produced The Dark Knight (2008) which went on to gross
more than a billion dollars at the worldwide box office. Nolan was nominated for a Directors Guild
of America (DGA) Award, Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award and Producers Guild of America
(PGA) Award, and the film also received eight Academy Award nominations.
•
(Cont’d)
8. In 2010, Nolan captivated audiences with sci-fi
thriller Inception (2010), which he directed and produced from his own
original screenplay. The thought-provoking drama was a worldwide
blockbuster, earning more than $800 million dollars and becoming one
of the most discussed and debated films of the year. Among its many
honours, Inception received four Academy Awards and eight
nominations, including Best Picture and Best Screenplay. Nolan was
recognized by his peers with DGA and PGA Award nominations, as well
as a WGA Award win for his work on the film.
One of the best-reviewed and highest-grossing movies of 2012, The
Dark Knight Rises (2012) concluded Nolan's Batman trilogy. Due to his
success rebooting the Batman character, Warner Bros. enlisted Nolan
to produce their revamped Superman movie Man of Steel (2013),
which is set to open in Summer 2013.
