AS coursework - Audience Research for 'Crime-Thriller'

2. WHAT IS A THRILLER?
A thriller 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. The protagonist in these films is set against a problem –
an escape, a mission, or a mystery. No matter what sub-genre a thriller
film falls into, it will emphasize the danger that the protagonist faces.
The tension with the main problem is built on throughout the film and
leads to a high stressful climax.

3. WHAT IS A ‘CRIME-THRILLER’?
Crime Thriller film is a sub-genre that incorporates the
suspenseful aspects of a thriller with a crime film plot. This subgenre's plot usually centres on a serial killer, murderer, robbery, or
manhunt. As opposed to traditional crime films, the storyline
focuses both around the criminal and the protagonist. Crime
Thrillers use both action and psychological aspects to build
tension and suspense.

4. CONVENTIONS
THRILLER LOCATIONS ARE NORMALLY EXOTIC SETTINGS, SUCH AS FOREIGN CITIES, FOR
EXAMPLE JAMES BOND IS ALWAYS TRAVELING TO AND FROM CITIES WORLD WIDE
(LONDON- - SHANGHAI). THE PROTAGONIST (MAIN CHARACTER), ARE OFTEN MALE AS
THEY ARE SEEN TO BE ‘MACHO MEN’ AND ARE FAMILIAR WITH DANGER. SOME THRILLERS
HAVE THEIR PROTAGONIST TO BE AN ORDINARY PERSON WHO FIND THEMSELVES IN
EXTRAORDINARY SITUATIONS. THIS IS BECOMING MORE POPULAR SO THE AUDIENCE CAN
RELATE MORE EASILY TO THE CHARACTERS.

5. CONVENTIONS
Also in thrillers, enigma is set during the opening sequence which is
further complicated and resolved at the end of the film. This is to
engage the audience and to keep them guessing the narrative. For
example in the film ‘Fight Club’ the enigma is who is Brad Pitt and why
he has a gun pointed at Edward Norton, and this is resolved at the end.

6. 









SUSPICION
DRAMA
FAST PACE
CRIME
ENIGMAS
INVESTIGATION
LOW KEY LIGHTING
QUICK CUTS
BLACK AND WHITE SHOTS
MONTAGE OF SHOTS










ANTAGONIST & PROTAGONIST
CLIFF-HANGER
EXTRAORDINARY EVENTS
PROTAGOINIST IN DANGER
STORY LINE THAT REQUIRES THINKING
COMPLEX NARRATIVE
SHADOWS
TENSION MUSIC
CHANGED IN THE ANGLE OF SHOTS
DIEGETIC SOUND OF BREATHING

7. EXAMPLES
 DA VINCI CODE
 ANGELS AND DEMONS
 SHUTTER ISLAND
 INCEPTION
 THE DARK KNIGHT
 CAPOTE
 SILENCE OF THE LAMBS
 I AM LEGEND

8. SHUTTER ISLAND - 2010
Drama set in 1954, U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is
investigating the disappearance of a murderess who
escaped from a hospital for the criminally insane and is
presumed to be hiding nearby.
ANGELS & DEMONS - 2009
Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon works to solve a
murder and prevent a terrorist act against the Vatican.
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS - 1991
A young F.B.I. cadet must confide in an incarcerated and
manipulative killer to receive his help on catching
another serial killer who skins his victims.

9. BBFC CERTIFICATE CRITERIA
 There may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent
 Sex may be briefly and discreetly portrayed at 12 or 12A. Verbal sex references should not go
beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. There may be nudity in 12A films but sexual
nudity should only be brief and discreet.
 Moderate violence is allowed but it should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on
injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if they can be justified by
their context (for example brief sight of bloody injury in a medical drama). Weapons which
might be easily accessible to 12 year olds should not be glamorised in 12A and 12 works.
Sexual violence, such as scenes of rape or assault, may only be implied or briefly and
discreetly indicated at 12A.
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/12

10. BBFC CERTIFICATE CRITERIA
 At 15 there is no upper limit on the number of uses of strong language (eg f***). Occasionally there
may be uses of the strongest terms (eg 'c***'), although continued or aggressive use will not
normally be passed 15.
 Sexual activity can be portrayed, as long as there is no strong or graphic detail. Some sex scenes
can be quite long at this category and may involve some nudity and movement. Though nudity may
be allowed in a sexual context there should be no strong detail.
 Violence may be strong. It should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury, however, and the
strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Easily accessible weapons may not be
glamorised.
 There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence (for example descriptions of rape or
sexual assault in a courtroom scene or in victim testimony) but any portrayal of sexual violence
must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/15

11. BBFC CERTIFICATE CRITERIA
 There is no limit on the number of uses of strong (eg 'f***') or even very strong language
(eg ‘c***’) which can be passed at 18. Uses could be aggressive, directed, frequent or
accompanied by strong violence.
 There can be strong and detailed portrayals of sex at 18, including full nudity. There
are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Very strong, crude
and explicit sex references are permitted at 18.
 Violence can be strong and be portrayed with strong detail. There may even be dwelling
on the infliction of pain or injury, or scenes of strong sadistic or sexual violence. The
strongest gory images are permitted at this category.
 Drug taking may be shown but the work as a whole must not promote or encourage drug
misuse.
http://www.bbfc.co.uk/what-classification/18

12. MY FILM CERTIFICATE
MY FILM WILL BE CATORGORISED UNDER 15




IT WILL HAVE FREGQUENT STRONG LANGAUE BUT NOT PORTRAYED AS AGGRRESSIVE
NON OR LITTLE SEXUAL REFERENCE
VIOLENCE WILL BE STRONG BUT EASILY ACCESSIBLE WEAPONS WILL NOT BE GLAMOURISED
THERE WILL BE NO SEXUAL VIOLENCE