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 In class we were set the task of analysing a snap shot from a thriller, this is my image and notes.

Initial Idea

Thriller Opening Case Study - Essex Boys

The task was to look at the opening scene of a thriller film, and to comment on the micro-elements used to make the film a thriller. The film I was assigned was, Essex Boys, a british thriller made in 2000 but set in 1995. From the opening scene, the film follows ex-convict Jason Locke and his personal driver Billy - who is unable to get out of driving Mr Locke.

Film Noir - The Third Man

Studying the film noir film, The Third man, I analyzed the key micro-elements and discuss how these features are used in this form of thriller.

Film Noir - The Third Man on Prezi

Thriller Conventions

Novelist James Patterson gave this description of thrillers. “There are all kinds. The legal thriller, spy thriller, action- adventure thriller, medical thriller, police thriller, romantic thriller, historical thriller, political thriller, religious thriller, high- tech thriller, military thriller. The list goes on and on, with new variations constantly being invented. In fact, this openness to expansion is one of the genre's most enduring characteristics. But what gives the variety of thrillers a common ground is the intensity of emotions they create, particularly those of apprehension and exhilaration, of excitement and breathlessness, all designed to generate that all-important thrill. By definition, if a thriller doesn't thrill, it's not doing its job”.

 But what is a thriller? A thriller uses suspense and tension as main elements to excite the audience and keep them on edge. The settings are usually in dark, but not as dark as the representation of its society, which is usually filled with corrupt police and immoral, acts, even if it for the great-a-good. Thrillers are known for making the audience think with devices such as plot twist, red herrings, cliff hangers and other mind games. Thriller protagonist characters tend to be harder to place as they often aren’t just good or bad but show signs of both qualities. Antagonists will be just as enigmatic, if not more, and the audience will tend to know less about them.

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Wanted; Middle aged man with dead end job looking for a new hobby to keep occupied. Must show skills with various tools, eg. a knife, and keen to get your hands dirty. Cannot be claustrophobic as time spent in small spaces may be necessary. Also required one unsuspecting victim preferably a naive woman who likes walks in the dark at night after her car gets a flat tyre, preferably blonde with strong vocal cords to be able to scream if required even though none will hear. Must wear inappropriate high heel shoes. And like to ask murders questions such as "hello?" or "anybody there?".