Crime Thriller Research: Sound and Music

Conventional Sounds and Music in Thriller Films

Sounds in thriller films are used to create understanding and meaning for the audience. This will then enable the audience to create a response to the film. Thriller films include sounds and sountracks into their films in order to build the audiences understanding of what is happening in the film. The sounds are used to evoke the characters feelings and emotions in order to get a responce from the audience. It is also often used to symbolise both the protagonists and antagonists movements in the scene. By carefully using the sounds employed in the scene it creates the right mood and atmosphere and in the context of the thriller genre, helps to build suspence and tension. There are many different sound techniques that directors use within a scene, examples of these are: diagetic, non-diagetic, parallel sounds, on screen sound and off screen sound. 

In thriller films, diegetic and non diegetic sounds are used to make the film more effective.
Thriller films use non diegetic sounds and music to create a sound bridge or to create a certain atmosphere. There are numerous diegetic sounds which are conventional in thrillers, for example, narrator's commentary, sound effects which are added for the dramatic effect, and mood music. Diegetic sounds are actual sounds in the scene, for example, voices of characters, sound made by objects in the scene, and music coming from instruments in the scene. An example of diegetic and non diegetic sounds used in thrillers would be 'The Amazing Spider Man 2' (Dir. Marc Webb, 2014).

Another sound a thriller film conventionally uses is monologue. Monologue refers to a speech delivered by a character in order to express their thoughts and feelings to other characters or the audience. Monologue also gives the audience an insight to the characters motives or their relationships with other characters in the film. An example of a monologue would be 'Gone Girl' (Dir. David Fincher, 2014).

Silence is also commonly used in thriller films as it builds up suspense and gets the audience on the edge of their seats. This is very thought provoking and does well to build up tension, which seems to be a strong convention for thriller films. (Dir. Fede Alvarez, 2017).

Music is essential in any thriller film to understand the mood of the characters and hint at a significant part in the film. Music in thriller films will often start off in a slow pace at first, whilst gradually speeding up the pace helping the create the tension and build up climax. Music is also used to create tension and suspense within the audience and to make them feel scared and frightened. The music helps to build up a climax when approaching a scary bit of the film. They often include synthesised sounds, this helps to create the mood of the scene in the film. The most commonly used sounds in thrillers are dark and eerie sounds. The music usually starts of in a slow pace at first whilst gradually speeding up the pace helping the create the tension and build up climax.  

Research into the use of sound in thriller

 How is sound used in thriller?

Sound is extremely important in the editing stage of thriller films as it is used to create understanding and in particular, tension. These sounds can be non diegetic or diegetic. Non diegetic sound relates to mainly music used to create tension which is not particularly evident actually in the scene, but placed in during the editing stage. Diegetic sound relates to the noise made in the scene which may be replaced during editing for a more distinct effect, these are usually footsteps and other human related noises. This allows an audience to immerse themselves within a scene. An audience can relate to certain feelings which we associate by different sounds, for example heavy breathing - panic. This is used to achieve a response from the audience, which is the key idea for thrillers, as they are produced to 'thrill'. Thrill is defined as 'a sudden feeling of excitement and pleasure' of which these sounds help create. A thriller would be significantly different with no sound. By choosing the correct sounds in a scene, the correct mood and atmosphere can be achieved. 

How would tension be created during a chase scene using sound?
How would diegetic sound be used in thriller, an example?

Crime Thriller Research: Storylines

Thriller films have many sub genres for example, action thriller, crime thriller, film noir, psychological thriller and science fiction thriller. Although, I will be focusing on the sub genre of crime thriller and the conventions used within this genre in order to produce our film as a thriller. Crime thriller storylines suggest that dramas tend to focus on the kinds of crime and that create the most exciting and anxious feelings towards the viewers for example, murders, serial killing and assassins. This is beneficial for myself, as our film focuses upon an assassin who has to destroy victims. 

Crime thriller films contain many conventions which are portrayed towards a specific certificate rating for example our crime thriller film targets towards a rating of 12 and above. Typically this is due to the voilent scenes and the use of the gun in the ending scene. Usually crime thriller storylines present an exciting and intense narrative that revolve around a crime in order to, create tension and suspense upon the audience, to ensure they are kept on the edge of their seats. Although, thriller storylines are significant as there main purpose is to entertain the audience and keep them on a high alert therefore, creating anticipation towards the audience as they are unsure what it going to occur later within the film.

Many crime thriller storylines will focus upon two contrasting characters one of which is the protagonist aiming to resolve the situation in contrast, to the antagonist who destroys culture or focuses upon victims.Thriller films contain an aspect of mise - en scene through the use of low key lighting to create a dark and warm atmopshere to focus upon the main perspective shown on the screen. Furthermore, this lighting is significant as it adds mystery due to the fact that it creates a main focus on the characters facial expression to represent their sense of emotion. The lighting also conveys that the character could be hiding something therefore, this follows conventions of crime thriller as it creates mystery and suggests the innocence and guilt from the character. In thriller films at the beggining it reflects the characters everyday normal life then, the climax of the narrative is reached in which this engages the viewers and something happens in which this will connect with the sub genre in order to follow certain conventions in which causes a disturbance to the storyline. Although, the ending of a thriller film always ends with a resolution to the situation in order to resolve what has happened and questions morality. All thriller stoylines plays the audience as it engages them and manipulates their emotions as they could experience some form of this in their life. 

An example of a crime thriller film would be The Dark Knight which was released within the year of 2008. The narrative displays that when the menace which is the antagonist in the film (The Joker represented as the villain) emerges from his mysterious past he causes chaos upon the people who live in Gotham. Although, the protagonist, The Dark Knight mustn accept one of the greatest psychological and physical tests of his ability to fight injustice.This film follows conventions of crime thriller storylines as the protagonist has to solve problem and kill the menace. 

Another example of a crime thriller film is Silence of the Lambs produced within 1991 and directed by Jonathon Demme. The storyline portrays that a young, female FBI agent is in need of help to find a missing woman to save her from a manipulative and psychopathic serial killer. This film produces a thrilling and interesting appeal to an audience in order to keep them on the edge of their seats throughout as it builds up tension and suspense throughout the narrative therefore, following conventions of a thriller film. 

Genre Research (Aims,Narratives, Editing, Sound, Cinematography, Themes, Setting, Theory and Characters)

Crime Thriller Research: Cinematography and Editing

Conventional Editing 

A conventional editing technique used in thrillers would be jump cuts. Cross cutting is a key point in editing as it is used to build suspense which is essential for a thriller. A quick succession of fast-paced short clips will disorient an audience. However, continuous editing could also be used to help the audience understand the film better. Quick cutting with fast moving clips creates a pace in which the audience starts to believe that everything on screen is being performed in haste which results in them feeling a sense of urgency and panic. It’s best to use the quick pace, short style when there is a lot of action taking place and more than one perspective to see. An example of fast pace editing would be 'Shaun of the Dead' (Dir. Edgar Wright, 2004).

Another editing technique which is conventional in crime thrillers is elliptical editing. This is when time is cut out of the film to maintain the films excitement. Therefore, unnecessary or boring parts of a scene are cut out. Elliptical editing is used to keep the audience engaged at all times so when a thrilling scene comes on by surprise, the audience is paying attention and it has a much larger affect on them than it would if they wasn't paying attention. Therefore, elliptical editing helps build suspense and adds to tension in a scene. An example of how Elliptical editing has been used is in 'Batman Begins' (Dir. Christopher Nolan, 2005).

An additional editing technique used in thrillers would be graphic matching. Graphic matches are used in thrillers to help connect two scenes together, which would otherwise be seen as unrelated. These can be very effective in thrillers as they can be used to emphasise the actions that have just taken place in a scene. For example, in 'Psycho' (Dir. Alfred Hitchcock, 1960) the drain is matched with the victims eye which emphasises that she is completely lifeless as blood drips down the drain.

Most films, including thrillers, use shot reverse shot. This is to alternate between characters while they're having a conversation. This is most commonly done with an over the shoulder shot, however canted angle shots and high or low angle shots can also be used for it. This is to convey the type of conversation they're having. An example of a shot reverse shot editing technique would be 'The Hunger Games' (Dir. Gary Ross, 2012).

Thrillers use fast and slow paced editing specifically to create suspense and tension within a scene. For example, slow paced editing is often used right before something big is going to happen, this creates suspense as the audience are waiting for it to happen, which will most likely make them jump and scare them. Slow motion editing is conventionally used in thriller films and is usually used to build suspense and to leave the audience eager to know what will happen next. Fast paced editing is usually used in action scenes, often between the protagonist and antagonist, this is to convey energy and sometimes anger within the scene. Quick shots and obtrusive editing are used frequently in thriller films to accentuate feelings of suspense and tension. Obtrusive editing in thriller films may evoke a sense of presence in unexpected ways or create disorientation.

         Hot Fuzz (Dir. Edgar Wright, 2007).

• Montage editing consists of a series of short shots edited to condense time, space, and information. This is a technique in which two or more layers of films are playing simultaneously along side one another. This technique is often used during a 'thrilling' part of a thriller. One example of montage editing is in the opening scene of 'Hot Fuzz'. 
  
  
  
   Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Dir. Christ Columbus, 2001). 
  
  
• Flashbacks are commonly used in psychological thrillers. Flashbacks give an insight into a characters past and shows an important message, or helps to explain why the characters are the way they are. One example of a flahsback edit is in the film 'Harry Potter and the Philosopher's stone.
  
  
  
   

Conventional Cinematography and Camerawork

The most typical camera shot used in thriller films seems to be close ups. Close up camera work are used to contribute to the urgency of a scene. Close ups are conventionally used on the protagonist character in the thriller film to show their emotions which will help the audience relate to them. An example of a close up shot would be 'Se7en' (Dir. David Fincher, 1996), which is used to build suspense and mystery in the beginning.

Long shots have also been a commonality among thriller films. A long shot is used to stress the detail in the environment or setting of a scene. For example, a long shot is used in 'Terminator 2' (Dir. James Cameron, 1991), to set the scene and show the audience where the action will be taking place in the upcoming events of the film.

Another conventional shot used in thrillers is low and high angle shots. Low angle shots are captured from a camera place below, looking up, which makes a character or object appear dominant, aggressive, or ominous. However, high angle shots is when the camera is above the subject, looking down. Therefore, the character or object looks weak, submissive, or frightened. High angle shots are also conventionally used as point of view shots of an adult looking at a child.

An example of a low angle shot would be 'The Dark Knight' (Dir. Christopher Nolan, 2008).

An example of a high angle shot would be 'Matilda' (Dir. Danny DeVito, 1996).

Conventional Thriller Editing Examples

Click the links below for the IMDB


Montage 'Shaun of the dead' IMDB LINK

Elliptical editing 'Batman Begins' IMDB LINK

Graphic Match 'Psycho' IMDB LINK

Crime Thriller Research: Settings and locations

Settings and Locations

Settings and locations from kattrevoznjuk

 

Crime Thriller Research: Storylines

Storylines 

Most crime thriller storylines start with a scene of high action or a crime. For example, a murder of a victim occurs. The audience expects to see the antagonist or see a hint of crime or the threat right upfront. After this scene, is it conventional to show the lead character, hero, at equilibrium, in their normal everyday life before they are dragged into the suspense. Crime thrillers usually focus around a violent criminal act or serial acts. In crime thrillers their is usually more than one suspect which appears innocent, or when an innocent suspect makes themselves appear guilty.

'Silence Of The Lambs' (Dir. Jonathan Demme, 1991). 

A young, female FBI agent is assigned to help find a missing woman to save her from a psychopathic serial killer, Buffalo Bill, who skins his victims. The female FBI agent attempts to gain a better insight into the twisted mind of the killer by talking to another psychopath, named Hannibal Lecter, who used to be a respected psychiatrist. FBI agent Jack Crawford believes that Lecter, who is also a very powerful and clever mind manipulator, has the answers to their questions and can help locate the killer. However, the female FBI agent must first gain Lecter's trust before the inmate will give away any information.

 

'Memento' (Dir. Christopher Nolan, 2000). 

Leonard is determined to avenge his wife's murder. However, unable to remember anything that happens in his day-to-day life due to a condition he sustained, short term memory loss, he has to write himself note after note that still don't mean anything after he falls asleep. The film goes back in time to reveal each little bit of the puzzle as he tries to find out the person who killed his wife. The narrative closely follows a phone call Pearce has in which he talks about Sammy Jankis, a former client of his who he believed had the same condition. The film takes an unexpected twist as the two characters have a lot more in common than is initially put across.

'The Usual Suspects' (Dir. Bryan Singer, 1995).  

Police investigate an exploded boat and discover 27 bodies and $91 million worth of drug money. The only survivors are a severely burned and very scared: Hungarian terrorist and Verbal Kint, a crippled con-man. Reluctantly, Kint is pressured into explaining exactly what happened on the boat. His story begins six weeks earlier with five criminals being dragged in by New York police desperate for suspects on a hijacked truck and ends with the possible identification of a criminal mastermind.

  
The Great Escape (Dir. John Sturges, 1963).   
Star-studded WWII classic about a mass escape attempt by plucky Allied POWs from a supposedly escape-proof German camp. The escape committee's plan is to liberate hundreds of inmates and cause havoc throughout occupied territory. But their problems include concealing three tunnels from the guards and disposing of tons of soil. Steve McQueen's daredevil motorcycle antics are a classic cinema moment.



Typical Crime Thriller Narratives

Brief Research of Typical Narratives 

What is a short film?

Short Films

A short film is any film not long enough to be considered a feature film. No consensus exists as to where that boundary is drawn: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences defines a short film as an original motion picture that has a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits. The term featurette originally applied to a film longer than a short subject, but shorter than a standard feature film.

Tangled Ever After (Dir. Nathan Greno and Bryan Howard, 2012).

The most popular short film globally is ‘Tangled Ever After’, which is a sequel to the film 'Tangled'. The running time for 'Tangled Ever After' is 6 minutes. The short film is Disney musical which earned a total gross of $200,821,936 with a production budget of $260 million. The film is about a witch who takes a princess when she is a baby and uses her powers to keep her youthful. However, the princess escapes from the castle and ends up going on an adventure and falls in love with a man. The short film shows the wedding of the couple. As the original 'Tangled' film was a success, it implied that the audience wanted to see the wedding of their most beloved characters. Additionally, because it was a musical, the film did well on that behalf as the songs are popular worldwide with lots of iTunes downloads therefore this attracts the audience to the short sequel because it is clear there will be more songs.

Crime Thriller

Crime and Thriller Genre

Crime drama is one of the most enduring, popular genres, not just on TV but also novels, films and theatre. Its engaging narrative offers a space for debates about policing, criminality, gender, race and social and cultural values. The following are key elements of the genre all of which can be seen as contributing to audience pleasures of watching crime dramas: Resolution to a mystery, Question of morality, about innocent and guilt. Crime is a genre that revolves around the action of a criminal mastermind. For example, crime films usually revolve around the criminal himself. Some crime films will have a storyline that follows the criminals victim, yet others follow the person in pursuit of the criminal. Crime genres are usually fast paced and a sense of mystery from either the plot or characters to create suspense within the film. 

An example of a crime thriller film would be Silence of the Lambs (Dir. Johnathan Demme, 1991). The Silence of the Lambs is about an FBI agent developing a relationship with the notorious serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lector, in order to gain Lector’s assistance in the hunt for another serial killer.

                                                    IMDb Silence of the Lambs

A thriller usually consists of a battle between the protagonist character and the antagonist, when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. Then the story shows a chain of bad events building tension and suspense for the climax. The aim of the protagonist is to restore justice, while the antagonist seeks to destroy it. A 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 throughout the movie. This genre revolves around a problem faced by the main character or hero this could be an escape, a mission, or a mystery. The main trait within a thriller genre is to create a sense of danger around the main character.

An example of a thriller film would be The Great Escape (Dir. John Sturges, 1963). The Great Escape is about allied prisoners of war plan for several hundred of their numbers, who escape from a German camp during World War II.

                                                              IMDb The Great Escape

 

Similar thriller films

Similar thriller films

 Atomic blonde (2017)

 Atomic blonde (dir. David Leitch) is about a a female spy in MI6 she is on a life threatening mission to receive a priceless dossier and take down a ruthless espionage ring, this all happening while the Brelin wall was falling down. The movie is similar to ours as they both have a strong, bad-ass female lead character, they both show how woman can be just as strong as men. 

 

Kill Bill (2003)

Kill bill (dir. Quentin Tarantino) is about a former assassin known as The Bride who wakes up from four year long coma after her jealous ex-lover tries to kill her on her wedding day. After waking up she is filled with insatiable desire for revenge, she composes a list of all the people who were to blame for the loss of her unborn child and the four year long coma. The movie Kill Bill is similar to our movie as it has a female assassin who kills people who deserve it our lead female character is paid to kill people who have done something bad and got away with it. 

Gone girl (2014)

Gone girl (dir. David Fincher) is about a married couple who seem like they are living the perfect life on the outside however this is all crushed when the wife Amy goes missing and the husband Nick becomes the prime suspect. With the media covering the case as well as the intense police questioning all that seemed good and happy about the couple crumbles to pieces. The movie is similar to ours due to the twist that begins with a gender stereotype of women being weak and vulnerable however both our movie and the gone girl have a female lead who ends up being shown stronger than a man. 

Crime Thriller Research; Titles

Thriller Titles

Within thriller films the titles are often presented with the juxtaposing colours of red and black as this follows the conventions of the genre. The background colour is usually black therefore, the typography which is revealed upon this stands out to the audience. In conjunction with this the typography in the titles are usually red or white as this is then the main focus on the screen. Furthermore, the colour motif of black signifies death in comparison with red to convey elements of danger, mystery, violence, blood and to present different aspects to crime and death. Whereas, white is usually presented to portray a sense of purity and hope therefore, this is used within the title sequence to represent a narrative in which someone could be captured or on the verge of being killed therefore, the colour motif of white signifies a sense of hope to resolve this problem. These colours used within thriller titles connotate to the conventions of the genre to illustrate different narratives in a way that they adapt certain elements to present an upcoming event which will occur during the opening sequence to reveal a snippet of the context of the film. Therefore, this is beneficial as it engages the audience and aims to approach a sense of tension and suspense upon the viewers so that they are on the edge of their seats throughout the movie. Some examples of films which consist of these particular conventions are, Insidious, Se7en, Black Swan and many more. However, the title for Insidious is represented in bold, gothic writing to use for emphasise and to create a focus as well as associating with the genre of thriller. 

Whilst, the titles are been depicted aspects of non - diegetic music is used to suit the atmosphere and mood of the film. Another significant point to focus upon within title sequences is the use of credits to portray who is starred within the film as well as who directed, edited and distributed the film. An example of a film which does this is, Terminator 2 directed by James Cameron during the year of 1991. Also, another example of this is the famous James Bond film, Casino Royale which was directed by Daniel Klienman during 2006.  

Although it is common for thriller films to start with a crime and cryptic event before the title is presented to the audience. Therefore, this is beneficial to the audience as it allows them to capture a glance at what the film is going to be about. This is evident within the world popular film, The Dark Knight directed by Christopher Nolan to reflect a robbery scene by antagonists who act as criminals. Furthermore, it represents The Joker who plays the villain within the film. 

Similar Thriller Films.

Similar Thriller Films

'The Gift' (Dir. Joel Edgerton, 2015). 

'The Gift' is based on a young married couple who recently moved into a new house and their lives become disturbed when an acquaintance from the husband's past starts to bring mysterious gifts and reveals a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years. 'The Gift' is similar to our storyline as the husbands' acquaintance from the past turns out to be a stalker, trying to ruin the couples lives. In our storyline, the female lead is getting stalked by a mysterious man.

 

 'Atomic Blonde' (Dir. David Leitch, 2017).

'Atomic Blonde' is about an undercover MI6 agent who is sent to Berlin during the Cold War to investigate the murder of a fellow agent and recover a missing list of double agents. 'Atomic Blonde' is similar to our film as the female lead is not a typical representation of how women are shown in the thriller genre. The female lead in thriller films are usually represented to be vulnrable, however, 'Atomic Blonde' portrays the female lead to be powerful. In our storyline, the female lead is stalked by a man which makes her appear vulnrable, but at the end the female lead turns out to be an assasin set to kill the stalker by a little girl's family. 

'Gone Girl' (Dir. David Fincher, 2014). 

'Gone Girl' is a psychological thriller film based on a mystery about a man whose wife has gone missing. With his wife's disappearance having become the focus of an intense media circus, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when it's suspected that he may not be innocent. 'Gone Girl' is similar to our film due to the fact that the female lead, again, is shown to be vulnerable but is then found to be intimidating and powerful, which is just like our film as the female appears to be vulnerable but then she turns out to be an assassin.

Crime Thriller Research

Crime & Thriller Research

A crime thriller is a sub genre for thriller. The movies which are produced within the genre of thriller are characterised and typically defined by moods in which they elicit, in order to give viewers an intense feeling of tension and suspense which is built throughout the movie as it uses fast paced editing to create a sense of mystery, excitement, surprise, anticipation. 

Crime thriller films resolve around the action of the criminal or follows the criminals victims and explores different methods depending on how all the characters are portrayed. Furthermore, they usually focus on a climax which is contained throughout the plot of the film in ore of keeping the audience involved and on the edge of their seats and interested within the film. It further creates suspense as it builds up to something pleasurable happening within the film in which this evokes a feeling of apprehension and anxiety towards to the audience. Another point to reflect upon crime thriller films is that they always contain a specific character within the plot which acts as the protagonist, who is the main focus within the film. Although, the film will also contain an antagonist which represents opposition against the protagonist. Therefore, this reflects that there is a battle between the two characters when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. The aim of the protagonist is to act as hero as he/she has to restore justice whereas, the antagonist aims to destroy this. 

An example of a crime thriller film which is similar to our film is 'Silence of the Lambs'. The narrative reflects that a young F.B.I cadet must receive help of a manipulative cannibal killer which will act as the protagonist within the film to help capture another serial killer. Within this film many media and film production features will be used such as, mise - en scene through the use of low key lighting to create a warm and terrifying atmosphere to create suspense upon the viewers. Also, the significance of darkness reflects a sense of absence presence, danger and unhappiness. This film follows all the conventions of a crime thriller as it uses fast paced editing to display a sense of excitement and anxiety to the audience.

Other examples of successful crime thriller films include, 'Se7en' and 'Atomic Blonde' which encouraged and influenced us to produce a film with conventions of thrillers in with the role of a female protagonist. 

Similar Crime Thriller films

Silence of the Lambs(1991)

 This movie is of the crime thriller genre and stars the actor Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling, acting as a student in the FBI's training academy, closly analying the behavouir of serial killers. She is choosen to complete a special assignment of a murderer nicknamed Buffalo Bill, who kills young women and removes their skin as almost a trophy. Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn), the head of the FBI training wants Clarice to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a violent psychopath, behind bars for various acts of murder and cannibalism. Crawford believes that Lecter may have insight into this case and that she could manipulate him as an attractive young woman. Lecter does know of the case, but his information is concealed as he is a very clever man but for exchange he makes an offer to Clarice. For telling what he knows, he wants to be housed in a more comfortable facility. More important, he asks personal questions to  Clarice about her past, forcing her to reveal her traumas and putting her in a position of vulnerability when she can least afford to be weak. 

Se7en(1995)

This movie is a crime thriller, starring the director David Fincher. The movie is set in New York city, with the actor Morgan Freeman (as William Somerset), a homicide specialist. Before retiring he completes one last case, for which he is teamed with young David Mills (Brad Pitt), the detective set to replace him at the end of the week. A serial killer is staging violent murders, choosing victims each to represent the seven deadly sins. First case, an obese man is forced to eat until his stomach ruptures to represent gluttony, then a wealthy defense lawyer is made to cut off a pound of his own flesh as penance for greed. Somerset initially refuses to take the case, realizing that there will be five more murders, ghastly sermons about lust, sloth, pride, wrath, and envy presented by a madman to a sinful world. Somerset is correct, and something within him cannot let the case go, forcing the weary detective to team with Mills and see the case to its almost unspeakably horrible conclusion.

Gone Girl (2014)

Directed by David Fincher, this crime thriller is based upon the heart of a modern marriage being a perfect picture however underneath multiple lies. On the occasion of their fifth wedding anniversary, Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck) reports that his wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), has gone missing. Buliding pressure from the police and growing media reports, begin to make Nick crumble, revealing his lies, deceits and strange behavior. This has everyone asking the same question, did he in fact kill his wife and frame her to be missing? 

Taken(2008) 


                                   
 Full of intense drama and violence, this crime movie features an ex-soldier (Liam Neeson) traveling through Europe. He then embarks on a frantic quest to rescue his daughter (Maggie Grace) after he is abducted by slave traders in District B13.

Psycho(1960)  

Featuring the character of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) in this crime film, her unhappyness is shown towards her job at a Phoenix, Arizona real estate office. Her romance is frustrating her, with the hardware store manager Sam Loomis (John Gavin). One afternoon, Marion is given $40,000 in cash to be deposited in the bank. Minutes later, Marion takes off with the cash, hoping to leave Phoenix for good and start a new life. 36 hours later, paranoia and exhaustion have started to set in, and Marion decides to stop for the night at the Bates Motel, where nervous but personable innkeeper Norman Bates (Anthony Perkins) cheerfully mentions that she's the first guest in weeks, before he regales her with curious stories about his mother. 

Heat(1995)

 
Featuring a successful career criminal, and a cop desperately triying to put him behind bars.  Neil McCauley (Robert De Niro) is a thief who specializes in big, risky jobs, such as banks and armored cars. With his bright, methodical skills he is very successful in what he does. Vincent Hanna (Al Pacino) is an L.A.P.D. detective determined to catch McCauley. While McCauley has enough money to retire and is planning to move to New Zealand, he loves the thrill of what he does, and is blocking out plans for one more job; meanwhile, he's met a woman, Eady (Amy Brenneman).

Similar Thriller Films

Gone Girl produced in 2014 & directed by David Fincher

• 'Gone Girl' is an American psychological thriller film written by Gillian Flynn and directed by David Fincher. The narrative displays that the male characters wife affects his life as she disappeared. Furthermore, within the film the main focus is the characters feelings towards the loss of his wife, a man sees the spotlight turned on him when its suspected that he may not be innocent.  'Gone Girl' is a similar film to ours as the film holds a strong female lead who is represented as vulnerable near to the beginning of the film. Although, the narrative reflects a plot change as the female lead becomes the assassin therefore, she is then portrayed as the psychopath. 

Taken produced in 2008 & directed by Pierre Morel

• 'Taken' is an action thriller genre film, written by Luc Besson and Robert Mark Kamen although, it is directed by Pierre Morel. The narrative of the film portrays that the protagonist, Liam Neeson, is a retired CIA agent who is travelling across Europe. Furthermore, he relies on his old and developed abilities and skills to save his estranged daughter who was kidnapped when she went on a holiday with friends to Paris. This film is similar to ours, as it reflects a thriller genre and as most sequences illustrates aspects of intense drama and violence it connects with our film as the narrative of 'The Next Target' portrays the female lead commits a murder.

The Gift produced in 2915 & directed by Joel Edgerton

• 'The Gift' is a psychological horror-thriller film directed and written by Joel Edgerton. The plot explores a young married couple who's lives become dismantled and discomforted as they move to a new house. However, there lives become interrupted when an acquaintance from the husband's past becomes present and begins to bring them mysterious gifts which is significant as it leads to a horrifying secret to light after more than 20 years. This film closely links throughout the use of the narrative as it shows the character playing the role of the husband is getting mysterious gifts, this reflects he is being stalked. Although, in the narrative of our film it portrays that the female protagonist shows aspects of psychopathic features as she is getting stalked by the man however, there is a plot change at the end of the film as she ends up killing him. Another point to focus upon to reflect our film and 'The Gift' is similar is because the man is receiving gifts although, similarly to our film a close up shot is used to show the character is receiving an envelope which contains important information.

 

Final Storyline

The Next Target

Beginning 

At the beginning of the film, a person is shown opening a brown envelope and pulling a sheet of paper out which reveals information about a target. This implies that the person is an assassin. The person then opens a draw and takes out a gun and the screen goes black.

Middle 

Then, it shows a Charlie Hammer getting ready as usual for her everyday life. Charlie then puts on red lipstick with her left hand and applies mascara to her eyelashes slowly. The she receives a phone call for a man named H, who is her boss. Charlie then walks downstairs and puts her black jacket on and puts her black boots on. Then, Charlie becomes exposed when she leaves her home and is shown to be vulnerable as she is being followed by The Man in Black. Charlie begins to realise that she is being followed and the scene starts to become intense. Charlie is shown to start walking faster and faster down a dark alleyway with The Man in Black getting closer and closer. Suddenly, Charlie turns around to try defend herself, but the screen turns black.

A flashback of Charlie is shown, she is talking to the Jones' who had their daughter stalked, raped and killed by The Man in Black and had receive no help from the police. It is revealed that Charlie is in fact not vulnerable, and is an assassin set to kill The Man in Black.

End

Charlie is stood above The Man in Black with a gun in her hand.

Charlie is then send an email saying 'target eliminated', she then opens an email confirming her payment of £1,000,000,000. Afterwards, another email comes through revealing her next target which makes the audience realise that she is in fact an assassin.

The Brief History Of Thriller

Click here for a brief history of thriller

  

    

History of Thriller

The genre of thriller typically represents a feeling of suspense in the way that a pleasurable fascination or excitement is pleasant over what is about to happen within the film next therefore, this portrays that it will engage the viewer more. Although, a thriller may also contain conventions such as, a feeling of anticipation and sometimes fear. These feelings within a thriller are significant as they develop through the narrative of the film from events that are unpredictable so that the viewers can be given time to think about the consequences of certain protagonists and characters. The suspenseful feelings build towards a climax that is sure to be memorable.

Although, the sub genre of our film is crime thriller therefore, has many more genres within in which it explores aspects of certain types of crimes, criminals and the action or process of identifying the presence of something concealed. 

1920 - 1930's:

Alfred Hitchcock a British film director, produced and formed his first thriller film called 'The Lodger' during 1926 to create suspense and engage the audience. The film was his third silent film and followed a narrative similar to the Jack Ripper film. The narrative of the film displays the protagonist is a landlady who suspects her new lodger within the film, another protagonist within the film is the murderer killing multiple female characters in London. Although, during 1929 he produced his next thriller film called, 'Blackmail'. The narrative displays the film is about a women within London who is blackmailed after the killing of a man who tries to rape her. 

1940's:

During the 1940's Alfred continued to produce and direct many suspense thrillers. This year he has created films as successful to be given an Oscar winning an example of this is, 'Rebecca'. In the following year of 1941, he made a film called 'Suspicion' which focuses upon the female protagonist who is in severe danger with her husband. He produced another film in 1942 called, 'Saboteur' and in 1943 he released, 'Shadow of a Doubt'. The film, 'Shadow of a Doubt' aimed to explore the 1920's serial killer 'The Merry Widow Murderer'. 

 











1950's:
Hitchcock released another thriller film called, 'Technicolor'. In addition, in 1951 he also created a famous film called, 'Strangers on a train' in which the narrative reflects an atmosphere within a train with the focus upon two passengers who both had to stage a battle and trade murders with one another. Other examples of the films he produced during the 1950's are: 'To Catch a Thief' during 1955 and 'Vertigo' in the year of 1958. 

1960's: 
In the 1960's, most films that were released focused upon a spy genre for example, 'The Spy Who Came In From The Cold' and 'The Deadly Affair'. However, from the end of the 1950's to the beginning of the 1960's many directed released thriller films were the most popular. Furthermore, the director Micheal Powell's released a thriller film called, 'Peeping Tom' during the year of 1960. This film created was about a psychopathic cameraman. 

1970's - 1980's 
During the period between the 1970's to the 1980's multiple thriller films included violent sequences therefore, they were quite similar to a horror genre. For example, the American film director Steven Spielberg released a thriller genre film, 'Duel' during 1971 which included aspects of a horror genre as it contained violence. 

1900's - Present Day 
The year of 1990 started with the film 'Misery' directed by Rob Reiners which aimed to focus upon a novel created by Stephen King. In 1991 the popular film, 'The Silence of the Lambs' was created by Jonathon Demme. The narrative portrays that a young FBI agent is in a psychological war against a cannibalistic psychiatrist named Hannibal Lector. Whereas, in 1995 the director David Fincher released his film, 'se7en' in which the narrative illustrates a mass search for a serial killer who carried out the seven deadly sins.

Films released within the year of 2000:

• Joy Ride By John Dahl (2001)
• Hannibal by Ridley Scott (2001)
• Hostage directed by Florent - Emilio Siri (2005)
• Firewall by Richard Loncraine (2006)
•  Eden Lake by director James Watkins (2008)