THRILLER GENRE

BY JODIE TURINI

WHAT IS A THRILLER?Thriller is a genre of literature, film, and television that uses suspense, tension, and excitement as its main elements. Thrillers influence the viewer's moods, giving them a high level of anticipation, uncertainty, surprise, anxiety and terror. Films of this genre tend to be adrenaline-rushing, gritty, rousing and fast-paced.

THEMES OF THRILLERS - • Conspiracy • Suspense • Anticipation • Supernatural • Murder mysteries • Terrorism • Crime

• Pursuit • Romance • Mind Puzzles • Assassination • Investigations • Chase • Spies

GONE GIRL

MISE EN SCENE

Amy's character is seen to be dressed fashionable, with well kept hair, a toned figure and wearing minimal make up. Then once she leaves town her appearance changes she no longer takes pride in her appearance she becomes chubby, badly dressed, no make up and wearing glasses. The contrast in costume and appearance makes her unrecognisable.

The use of props such as the enveloped clues left behind from Amy are crucial in the film. The police investigation relied on where and what the clues led them to for evidence.

The young girl Andi, who Nick was having an affair with came to the house dressed in provocative attire, suggesting the two would later sleep together.

The setting of the film is in a small town in America, the size of the town is important to the film, as when Nick is seen in a bad light on TV the whole town turn against him.

CAMERAFLASHBACKSThroughout the entire film we are shown flashback after flashback so that the audience can piece together what has happened to Amy.

Early in the film we see flashbacks of the couple when their relationship was healthy. As the film progresses the flashbacks beyond darker.

The opening scene to the film is the same scene that the film ends with. We are shown the last scene at the start to encourage speculation among the audience. From the very beginning the audience can sense there is something off about their relationship.

Simple tracking movements are used to follow the characters in the film. Close ups are often used to show the emotional state of the characters at different times.

An example of a close up of is Amy faces when she is lying about what happened to her, she appears unfazed. This reveals that her characters personality does not see what she has done as being wrong.

SOUND

• As soon as the first credits appear soft music begins to play into the background.The music then fades slightly and we are presented with a scene where Nick is stroking Amy's head.The scene fades out and the music comes back in as the main characters name slide in and out of the screen followed by the title.

• During some flashbacks there is a voiceover from Amy of her thoughts and feelings at certain times. Also, with each flashback wary music is quietly played in the background constantly creating an uneasy atmosphere.

• Sound effects of birds are used throughout the film to signal another day since Amy has gone missing.

• When Amy is calling a friend at a time of need the telephone call is muted to the audience, in replace we hear tension building music, leaving us wondering who is on the other end of the phone.

• Sound is also used to signal the police cars are coming through the use of sirens and the sound of cameras taking pictures to show the media are not leaving the house.

• In the climaxing scene where Amy commits murder a loud drum sound is played in the lead up to the moment she slits his throat. After the music fades out and is replaced by Amy's heavy breathing.

EDITINGThe director includes a series of cross cutting as this builds up suspense which if crucial. An example of this is a turning point in the film when the police find a hidden diary. Then we see a scene where Nick is on to something, for the next minute we are shown snippets of each scene back to up until they both find something.

Montage editing is also used in the film, specifically when Amy is about to kill. This technique is used by gathering several short cuts and putting them together to condense time, space and information. This gives the audience a strong feeling on uneasiness and puts them on the edges of their seats awaiting for what is going to happen.

Quick shots are used throughout the film to increase the feeling of suspense and tension within the audience, leaving they unsure if Amy will strike again or not.

Also, jump cutting is used to add information that the audience may not be aware of but is essential to the film.

LUCY

MISE EN SCENE

The police and Chinese mob all carry guns as props suggesting there will be a lot of killing and violence taking place.

The business men who deal with the transportation of the drugs are always dressed in suits, looking well groomed.

The setting begins in China and then changes to Rome, we can see this by the different accents and different landscapes shown.

The scientists who will be experimenting on Lucy are dressed in white lab coats, wearing glasses and in a professor's room.

Once the drugs take over Lucy's body her character changes, she doesn't react as other humans do, she behaves abnormally and has powers.

The professor called to help Lucy dresses in a suit always and speaks with a loud and clearly projected voice as a professor would.

CAMERAThroughout the film we are constantly shown close ups of Lucy's face to see how she is reacting the different situations. Here is an example of Lucy being upset while on the phone to her mother.

There are also close up where the director wants the audience to focus on, for example when they remove the drugs and wash the blood of them in the hospital.

They also use a bird eyes view approach when showing the mass of dead bodies lying on the floor while the Chinese man disregards them and leaves.

High angle shots are also used especially when they police cars crash and the vehicles go flying over the market.

Long shots are also used when they are driving in the car and they park up outside of the hospital, we see the car from a distance away with the sign of the hospital.

Paning is used in the film to show different landscapes, facial expressions of crowds, cars driving and to show Lucy's extended vision.

SOUND

• The film opens with music playing just loud enough for the audience to hear, then the credits start appearing followed by the title.

• The first scene we see an ape drinking from a river, his slurps are the only sound we hear followed by that of a few birds chirping.

• Then we have a voiceover of the main character explaining how overtime humans are destroying earth.

• The sounds of cars speeding, people talking, animals making sounds and other everyday sounds are sped up and made louder to add emphasis.

• When Lucy is blindfolded and taken in a car the sound is focused on her heavy breathing and we hear her talking to herself in her head, which only the audience can hear as well as the faint sound of traffic in the background

As the drugs are entering Lucy's body we have sound effects that suggest the chemicals are rushing round her body at high speeds, taking over her blood and mind.

In the scene where Lucy awakes it is silence and stays quiet apart from some dialogue. Once Amy hits the man action, tension building music is played.

EDITINGSpecial effects are used throughout the film, as it has supernatural elements in it. An example of this is when Lucy visits her friend and her body lights up under her touch, as well as the computer working at an unbelievable speed as she gathers information.

Shot reverse shot is also used a lot in the film during conversations with characters, this is also part of continuity editing, ensuring the film is realistic. An example of this is Lucy faced on with the Chinese mob, pointing their guns at her.

Slow motion is used during one of the main action scenes, where Lucy storms in firing shots at all the men.

Also, jump cutting is used to add suspense and tension. An example is when they are racing in the police car, we see several jump cuts of them dodging traffic and people they cross their paths.

Also, special effects are used when Lucy's body reacts to the drugs and her face begins melting away.

Through editing scenes were added in which we see the drugs entering Lucy's body and running through her blood.

DIVERGENT

MISE EN SCENE

Another prop is the leaderboard this is referred to constantly throughout the film and it is Tris's aim to make the top section.

The use pf costumes is very important in this film as the 5 different types of people have their own unique clothing.

At the beginning Tris is dressed in plain loose fitted grey clothing as she is part of Abnegation. This is in contrast to other fractions who wear tight leather or suits.

Dauntless have loud, outgoing, fast, energetic personalities, they stand out from everyone else.

Another prop used is the shot of liquid each person has to drink to determine where they belong.

The use of props is a crucial when the young people choose their factions. They have 5 different pots symbolizing each faction, they have to put their blood where they wish to stay.

The setting where the new Dauntless crew will stay in simple, plain and appears unpleasant which is the effect they desire.

CAMERAClose ups are constantly being used in the film to show the emotions of the characters, their fears and anger.

There are also close up where the director wants the audience to focus on, for example when Tris is holding her hand over the Abnegation pot, the audience are wondering whether she will choose them or not.

Also, high angle birds eye view shots are used when Tris is free falling into the Dauntless headquarters.

High angle shots are used as a sign of power, for example when Four is annoyed he talks down on the girl to intimidate her.

Long shots are used when the director wants to show large groups of people or places or to show the distance they need to travel.

Panning is used in the film to show different landscapes. For example in the opening sequence we see panning and long shots of the city where they live.

SOUND• The film opens with soft music playing as

the production company passes by on the screen and then the title. The music continues play and then begins fading out as we hear the sound of people talking followed by a voiceover of the main character.

• Certain sounds are emphasises, for example the cheering of dauntless when Tris chooses them and then the sobbing of her mother.

Music is constantly used during most scenes to create an atmosphere and to build up suspense and tension.An effective example is when Tris almost doesn't jump in time to get on the train.

The dialogue varies with different fractions. Dauntless can appear rude and argumentative, whereas Adnegation are constantly nice and polite.

The volume in which the characters talk also varies. In a confidential conversation in the tattoo shop, quiet music is played under their whisphers to each other.

Sound effects are added during the film in situations like: the dog attack, fight scenes, screams, cheering and gun shots.

EDITINGSpecial effects are used when each person drink the fluid and has to find an escape from their situation. Anything can happen so they have to edit to make it look realistic.

Shot reverse shot is also used a lot in the film during conversations with characters, this is also part of continuity editing, ensuring the film is realistic. An example of this is when Four is making Tris take the test and she questions him.

Also, jump cutting is used to add suspense and tension. An example is when Four is throwing the knives around Tris' body, the shots are cut from Four to Tris to the knife then back to Tris all in a matter of seconds.

Sound effects are added, for example the sound of Four flicking the knife in his hand is made louder and clearer so that the audience focus on the sharpness of the blade.

Montage editing is use to condense a series Dauntless training into a few minutes. From this the audience knows a lot of training took place without have to watch large clips of it.