My AS genre research

2. General description
The thriller film genre is a genre tat revolves around anticipation
and suspense. The aim of a thriller is to keep the audience alert, on
the edge and wanting to know what's going to happen next. The
protagonist of these films is set against a problem such as a
mission escape or mystery. There a many different sub genres of
thriller, however all of them emphasise the danger the protagonist is
facing. The tension along with the main issue is built on during the
movie until the film reaches its ‘stressful’ climax.
The sub genres
Action Thriller: Uses physical action to create
suspense within the film. They often have
continuous motion and action such as
chases fights battles and races to contribute
to the overall sense of danger the protagonist
faces.
Crime thriller: Centres on suspense with a
crime plot.The plot usually focuses on a
serial killer, murderer,robbery or manhunt.
The difference between crime thrillers and
traditional crime films is that the storyline
focuses on both the protagonist and the
criminal. Action and psychological aspects
are used to build tension.
Film-Noir: It is characterized through the use
of black-and-white style with the use of stark
lighting.The protagonist is usually a cynical
hero. The plot is explained through narrative
voice and various flashbacks.
Psychological Thriller: It incorporates aspects
of drama and mystery film. The suspense in
this genres comes from the mind rather than
physical threat.The protagonists in this genre
must rely on their mental resources to
overcome the problem.
Science fiction Thriller: It incorporates
hypothetical science based themes into the
main plot
Heroes,villains,advanced technology,
unexplored locations and quests are used to
create anticipation and suspense.
Religious Thriller: Includes religious
questions ceremonies and objects.The uses
of superantrual experiences exorcisms and
others are used to create suspense and build
tension.
Thriller research
Typical Characters:
• Convicts/Criminals/Stalkers/Assassins/
• Innocent victims
• Dark pasts psychotic individuals
• Terrorist
• Cops
• private eyes (people in twited relationships)
Typical plot events:
• Main protagonist is on a quest/mission that cant be put down
• There is a mystery which must be solved with an escalating threat
• Narrative is dominated by the protagonists point of view
• The protagonists and/or antagonists may have to battle themselves or eachother on
both a physical a mental level. The issue is normally how to stop the next attack
instead of who the attacker is
• There is a puzzle or big threat which must be solved.
Typical locations:
• Ordinary suburbs and cities
• Sometimes take place in exotic settings such as foreign cities, deserts, polar reigions or
the high seas.
Soundtrack:
• High pitched sounds
• Unique dialogue such as inner monologues or a narrator voiceover.
Used to make the audience uncomfortable and to show how the scene may be unpleasant
or something unexpected might happen. Used to create tension.

3. The silence of the lambs
This film is a psychological
thriller. The characters and
plot of this film reinforce the
stereotypical thriller film, as
there is a serial killer is
known and the issue is how
to stop him not who he is.
Then the protagonist has to
overcome the unescapable
problem.Typical thriller
soundtracks and locations
are used .
The Bourne Ultimatum
This film is an action thriller.
The characters, plot
soundtrack and locations all
reinforce the archetypal
action thriller film.
The Machinist
This film is an action thriller.
The characters, plot
soundtrack and locations all
reinforce the archetypal
action thriller film.

4. Typical characters
Crime dramas usually include 3 main types of characters:
1. The ones who solve the crimes (Detectives, private eyes, police officers, forensic scientists etc).
2. The ones who commit the crimes ( Rapists, criminals , murders, thieves)
3. The victims ( the ones who are attacked or targeted, murdered, robbed beaten up, mugged)
The ( the characters types)
• The grumpy detective
• The sidekick
• The trouble police officer
• The corrupt police officer
• The brilliant genius
General description: Crime fil is a genre which revolves around the
actions of a criminal mastermind. The film will revolve around the criminal
himself and their rise and fall. However this does not mean that the
storyline can only follow the criminal. In some crime films the victim is the
character who is followed and in others it is the person I pursuit of the
criminal> The genre tend to be faced paced with aspects of mystery
integrated into the story. The mystery comes from either the characters or
the plot.
Typical plot events
• The world is shown in its original equilibrium state. The victims or crime solvers life can be shown at this
stage.
• There is a disruption in the equilibrium as a crime is committed by the criminal.
• The crime solver(s) recognise that the disruption has occurred.
• The crime solver(s) attempt to repair the damage by the criminal and attempt to stop the criminal.
• A new equilibrium is established as the criminal is stopped. The victim is saved ( the victim isn’t always saved).
Typical Locations
• Ordinary suburbs and cities or towns
Soundtracks
• Mysterious soundtracks are used to make the audience wonder what's going to happen next.
• A lot of diegetic sound is used to set the scene in which the character is.
CRIME

5. Fargo
Fargo is a crime drama which plot
follows the typical crime film plot
where a crime is discovered and a
committed detective has to find the
criminal and help restore the
equilibrium of peace. The character
also reinforce the typical crime film
due to the commitment of the good
characters to catch the criminal and
the criminals ability to evade the
police. The location however does
challenge the stereotype as it is
based in a snowy city of
Minneapolis this challenges the
stereotype because most crime
dramas are based in more urban
cities. The soundtrack is typical.
for a crime film.
Sicario
This film is a very typical crime
thriller because most of the
aspects I have researched are
typical to the crime film genre,
as the plot, characters and
location are typical to the crime
film genre. The location however
challenges the standard crime
film locations as it starts of in
America but the main character
has to go to a foreign land to
aid in the escalating war against
drugs at the border area
between the U.S. and Mexico.
Reservoir Dogs
Reservoir dogs is a crime neo
noir black comedy which
challenges the standard crime
film genre due to its mixture of
quite violent crime, pop culture
references, and nonlinear
storyline. The characters,
location and soundtrack however
don’t necessarily counter the
typical crime genre characters.

6. ROMANCE
Typical characters
• The hero (tends to be a man)
• The love interest
• The helper(s)
• The threat(s) jealous person/people
The 5 common female archetypes
1. The gorgeous ‘klutz’
2. The girl who gives it all up for love
3. The inexperienced virgin
4. The advice-taker
5. Maniac pixie dream girls
General description: In the romance film genre the love
between two protagonist is what the film revolves
around. An issue between this love is what is usually
explored during the film. The issue can include but not
be limited to: love at first sight, forbidden love, love
triangles and sacrificial love. Romance films intend to
conjure strong emotions in the audience, the reaction
they intend on can vary on whether the ending is happy
or tragic.
Typical plot events
• “boy meets girl scenario”
• Hints are given throughout the film suggesting that the two protagonist (the ‘boy and the girl’) may be a perfect
“love match” and that there could be a happy ending.
• The protagonists end up in their separate was because of some sort of argument, disagreement or clash.
• They finally reunite
• There is a traditional ‘happy ever after’
Prompts such as flowers, hearts, wedding bells are commonly seen during the film. The story normally involves
emotions, feelings, pain, love failure to achieve love because of past history. Flashbacks are often used when a
protagonists is struggling to achieve love. Lastly the story is normally linked to the audiences emotions.
Typical Locations
• Ordinary suburbs and cities or towns.
It can vary a lot depending on the film.
Soundtrack
• Powerful emotional music
• Soft calming music

7. Titanic
This film is a romance drama which
follows the typical romance genre
order as its plot fits into the general
description I found in my research
due to it revolving around the
romantic relationship of two
protagonists and conjuration of
strong emotions within the
audience, then tragic ending. The
characters also reinforce the typical
characters ins a romance film. The
soundtrack is typical of the
romance genre but the location
challenges the genres standard
locations.
Love actually
This film challenges the general
description and typical plot line of
romance films as the love story
revolves around multiple (9)
protagonists whose stories are all
intertwined. However due to the fact
that the film explores the emotion of
‘love’ still makes it clear that it is a
romance film. The location of the film
is an ordinary suburb/city making it fit
perfectly into the typical locations of
romance films. The film uses a lot of
well known love and Christmas songs
which connote love and emotion such
as ‘all I want for Christmas is you’ and
‘puppy love’ which are soft calming
songs which reinforce the genres
The notebook
The notebook is a classic version
of a film which follows the romance
films genre as it essentially follows
the plot line I found through
research line by line as the lovers
are deeply in love to show they are
a perfect match, but are separated
then reunited and eventually have a
happy ending. It also matches the
general description of a romance
film. The characters, soundtrack
and locations additionally reinforce
the genres style.