Here is some of the research I have done on Thriller trailers to get me focussed on the usual conventions and storylines..
Thriller trailers and conventions..
Thriller –
The usual conventions in thrillers are essentially about the battle of justice vs. injustice where often there is a price to be paid for the conclusion of the story.
A thriller is a film of suspense with a plot structure that reinforces the elements of gamesmanship and the chase. Thrillers can be spy based, tales of geopolitical crisis, legal thrillers, medical thrillers, techno thrillers or domestic thrillers. Commonly, thrillers progress with a growing sense of threat or danger and the excitement of pursuit.
Narrative –
Thriller films are normally shown from two character points of view. The first being that of the protagonist (central character), which involves the audience more in events and creates empathy for the character. Or the story is occasionally told from the view of the villain, which can lead to empathy for the villain also at their twisted understanding or perhaps disturbing past that has led to the present. Although it can also create a sense of guilt. Lastly, the story can also be told from the point of view of an onlooker, detaching the audience from events so they perhaps are more observant.
Events in the storyline enable the film to progress, and allow the audience to second guess what will happen next. In many films this perception of events will be wrong, so adds to suspense. The dialogue in thrillers never contains a complete explanation of events or plot, to give it pace, and maintain the mystery, which is essential in building up suspense.
Characters –
Dress codes commonly appears smart and well dressed with dark colours, such as in spy based thrillers like James Bond. However, dress codes can differ depending on the context of the plot.
Examples:
1. Running Scared - (spy thriller) – protagonist Joey Gazelle – is not smartly dressed but wears casual clothes. This is similar to an action thriller, therefore breaking the usual conventions of such thrillers.
2. Die Hard – (action thriller) – protagonist Bruce Willis – wears casual, masculine clothes which helps empower his character.
3. The Godfather – (gangster thriller) – protagonist Al Pacino - almost always wears sharp, smart suits.
Character Roles -
Often in thriller films, there is one character that plays the role of a helpless innocent female in need of rescue who does however become brave when her help is needed and often aids or saves the male hero/protagonist.
There is therefore normally a male hero who battles the injustice and ultimately aims to defeat the residing evil of the situation to allow good to prosper. The residing evil in thriller films can be a vast majority of characters from a monster to a twisted neighbour next door.
There is however some common characteristics which include solitariness, revenge, anger, or a skewed view on events, as well as distorted social skills and understanding.
Iconography - Setting: Can be urban, isolated suburban settings, cities or quiet country villages.
Mise-en-scene: Normally dim lighting hiding parts to a character, large threatening weapons for props e.g. large knives, guns etc. Camera shots are normally point of view shots, frames within frames (to involve the audience), or close ups. Often there is also a lot of camera movement. Colours are also used to signify different emotions like red connotates blood or danger, blue - cold mystery or death.
