Outline of a
typical:
Action/Adventure Thriller
This type of film
uses the conventions of the thriller genre to create suspense that draws into
the plot of the film. However, it is more concentrated and heavily reliant on
the actual thrill rather than the journey leading up to that point. The
directors will take advantage of any opportunities that may arise, such as a twist in the
plot or an action code to portray a high level explosion or a daring car chase.
An example of this
is the film ‘Live Free or Die Hard’ (2007) where the plot of the film is that
the protagonist, NYPD detective John McClane must take on a cyber terrorist
organisation before they systematically shut down the United States. It
contains elements of suspense and tension mainly because of the fact that it is
a race against time and he has to face obstacles along the way which of course
must be filled with exciting action sequences like a shootout.
This is demonstrated
below through the trailer:
This would not be a
likely choice of genre for the film as my group does not have the
capabilities or time to carry out action sequences e.g. to get guns for a small
shootout or obtain explosives for a single shot. In other words, it is not
practical and it is supposed to be the opening sequence where it introduces the
film rather than a trailer which highlights and glorifies the action sequences.
Science-Fiction Thriller
This is similar to
the previous sub-genre in terms of how the thrill is portrayed but it contains
the theme of science-fiction which includes aliens, robots, futuristic settings
etc. Carrying on from this point, this genre makes use of special effects such as
‘CGI’ (Computer Generated Imagery) to show things that can’t be shown in real
life and makes it look realistic at the same time. Nonetheless, when it comes
to suspense and tension, the directors employ a different technique and prefer
to entice the audiences through enigma codes and sometimes dramatic irony.
For example, the
film ‘AVP: Alien vs. Predator’ (2004) is set on the plot that two
extraterrestrial races are at war with one another and humanity is caught in
the battleground. Scientists go exploring an isolated anomaly and get more than
what they were expecting so now they must escape and warn humanity of the
coming danger. The conventions of suspense and tension are used mainly through
the fact that they are up against an unknown threat meaning that anything can
happen.
An idea of the film
and its content is shown through the trailer:
This is not going to
a good choice for the short film for the same reasons as the last one; it is
not practical for amateur AS media studies students to try and utilise special
effects or find moderate costumes for a 2 minute film.
Espionage Thriller
This brand of sub-genre is similar to the previous two genres but this one looks more into the
development of the plot and context of the film. In a way it is parallel to
mystery films that are trying to uncover the bigger picture rather than
focusing on individual events within a film. The film sets out to convey the
protagonist as cool and suave which others wish to aspire towards.
Evidently, ‘Casino
Royale’ (2006) tells the story of protagonist James Bond (agent 007) whose
mission is to win a poker game at The Casino Royale in Montenegro to stop a
criminal (who works as a banker to the terrorists organisations of the world) from financing crime and terrorism across the globe. Enigma codes and plot
twists are key components that add thrills to the film.
The synopsis of the
film is given through the trailer:
This is a possible
choice as a genre for the short film because it is more about the plot and the journey leading up to the climax, which is suitable for an opening sequence as the role of it is to
introduce the film as a whole. The scene for the film can be set easily and be
accomplished.
Political/Conspiracy Thriller
This sub-genre goes
in depth about the plot which is the driving force of the film because it is
about more than the characters themselves. They are usually trying to uncover
the truth whether it be because they are inquisitive or because they have to,
e.g. to prove someone’s innocence. This is similar to the prior subgenre in
terms of the bigger picture for the plot.
The film ‘Patriot
Games’ (1992) is a classic example of this because it is about a CIA analyst (Jack
Ryan) who interferes with an IRA assassination on the British Secretary of
State for Northern Ireland (consequently meaning the renegade faction targets
him and his family). This makes use of the theme of revenge which fuels the
desire to get equal – at first it was about politics (which is unknown) but he
wants vengeance.
The trailer below
goes into more detail:
This genre could be
a possibility for the film through the fact that enigmas could be used as part
of the opening sequence to draw the audience into something that could have a bigger
meaning. Though I don’t believe this is a good idea to use this because it
would require a lot of thought into the plot to develop a story that is on the
same calibre as those sort of films – given that the coursework has a deadline
this does not seem likely.
Crime/Mystery/Noir Thriller
This form of sub-genre centres on the protagonist who tries to solve the case caused by the
antagonist. In simpler terms, it is a portrayal of a game of cat and mouse or
the hero versus the villain. Furthermore, the theme of justice is usually shown
in these types of films due to the fact that antagonist must pay for his crimes
and the protagonist is the only person able to do so.
‘The Dark Knight’
(2008) exhibits all of the elements described and does it in such a way that
draws in the audience through the conventions of a thriller to spice up the
plot of the crime. Caped crusader, Batman (Bruce Wayne) must bring an end to
antagonist, Joker who plans on turning Gotham City in on itself through a
cleverly and fiendishly thought out plan that Batman must solve. In a genre
such as this, all conventions of the thriller genre are used to up the ante in
assisting the plot of a genre that is known for keeping audiences on the edge
of their seats.
Here is the trailer
expressing the characteristics described:
This is an ideal
genre idea for my short film as I can portray a main protagonist and antagonist
that are battling it out in a game of wits and the best man will win. This is a
practical concept that can be achieved with enough thought and effort and I
also think that this is the type of genre that my target audience of age rating
15 would enjoy the most.
Historical Thriller
The nature of this sub-genre is set in a historical period of time, usually an important event that
occurred where the film focuses on the protagonist’s life in some way e.g. the
film portrays what a person’s life would be like back then but it adds the
twist of something else which is another sub-genre that is incorporated into
this one.
In this case, ‘Enemy
at the Gates’ (2001) is set in WWII during the battle of Stalingrad where a
hero sniper must make his stand at the allied occupied city to prevent the loss
of vital territory that could hold the key to winning the war. This film makes
use of the factor of perspective though the fact that the audiences can
understand what it was like to serve your country in the army during the war.
This is developed
further in the trailer:
This is not the best
choice of synopsis ideas for my short film because a genre like this requires
an incredible level of accuracy that is not available in terms of mise-en-scene
for AS media studies students. It would not be possible to film, for example, a
WWI film with a location that does not remotely look like a battlefield.
Psychological/Supernatural Thriller
This variety of
thriller is normally abstract and abnormal (compared to the other sub-genres) because it is trying to represent the mind and how in this type of film, the
protagonist is lost with a broken psyche. The purpose of this is to make the
audience feel similar to the way the character on screen does through things
such as a nonlinear narrative, jump cuts and canted angles which almost create
a sense of discomfort. There are also enigmas in terms of we (along with the
protagonist) do not know what is real and what is in the mind.
A film in this genre
is ‘Memento’ (2000) is about a man (Leonard Shelby) who suffers from short term
memory loss who uses notes and tattoos to hunt down the man he thinks killed
his wife. As the audience, we understand how his life must be and how he copes,
especially in the situation with his dead wife. The overall enigma that is
present here is the protagonist’s life which he can’t put into order since he
can’t make new memories.
Below is a trailer
that gives an idea about what this genre is like:
This could be a
candidate for the genre of the short film due to the fact that everything does
not have to be explained right away - unanswered questions can be used to open
the sequence to intrigue the audience even if the rest of the film will not be
made.
Romantic Thriller
This style revolves
around a love interest between two protagonists (or more) who for some reason
cannot be together but try to defy this however they can; e.g. an antagonist
keeps them apart because of jealousy or the story of Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and
Juliet’. At some point in the film, the couple will get together, but something
will cause them to go their separate ways since things are not working out, but
then they realise that they were wrong and get back together.
‘The Adjustment
Bureau’ (2011) is an example of this genre. The plot of the film is about a
love affair between an electoral politician and an upcoming ballerina and which is
affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart - the overall moral
conveyed is that true love conquers all. What makes this a thriller is through
the fact that the audiences do not know who or what The Adjustment Bureau is
and why it would intervene in such a matter.
The trailer below
develops this further:
In terms of plot,
this would not work for my group’s short film because we would need a female
love interest which we do not have and since that is the whole point of a
romantic thriller, the synopsis of one is redundant.
The outlines of all
these sub-genres show me what kind of synopsis ideas are used for each one and
how I can incorporate them into my film. The plot shall be intriguing and
desirable to follow because I will be using all the codes and conventions that
a crime thriller utilises. This being said, I do not want to put so many
enigmas in my film so that it becomes a brainteaser and does not bore audiences such as those who have critiqued ‘Inception’ (2010).
No comments:
Post a Comment