2. CHOSEN GENRES
THRILLER
A thriller provides the sudden rush of emotions,
excitement, sense of suspense and exhilaration
that drive the narrative, sometimes subtly with
peaks and lulls, sometimes at a constant,
breakneck pace thrills.
FANTASY
Imagining the impossible or the improbable,
using magic and other supernatural things as a
primary plot.
3. THRILLER CONVENTIONS
Thriller is a genre of literature, film and television that uses suspense, tension and excitement as the main elements
Characteristics:
- Exotic locations (e.g. foreign lands, hidden places, forests,
woods.
- Fast paced: constantly moving/running etc.
- Hero/Heroine & Villain/s: in this case Hansel and Gretel
- False ending: where the villain thinks they have won
- Theatre of the mind: Where the audience can decide what has
happened where something hasn’t been shown
4. THRILLER: SUB-GENRES
Psychological Thriller: Heavy focus on the unstable emotional states of characters, in
combination with mystery and thriller (e.g. Psycho and Funny Games)
Spy Thriller: the subject of fictional espionage, either in a realistic way or as a basis for fantasy
(such as James Bond). Spy films show the espionage activities of government agents and their risk
of being discovered by their enemies (e.g. Bourne Identity).
Political Thriller: In which the hero/heroine must ensure the stability of the government that
employs him. Political thrillers can be based on true facts such as the assassination of John F
Kennedy (e.g. JFK, directed by Oliver Stone)
Horror Thriller: Horror films are unsettling movies that strive to elicit the emotions of fear, disgust
and horror from viewers. They often feature scenes that startle the viewer, and the macabre and the
supernatural are frequent themes (e.g. Resident Evil, Dawn of the Dead)
Supernatural Thriller: In which the film brings in an otherworldly element (such as fantasy and/or
the supernatural) mixed with tension, suspense and plot twists. Sometimes the protagonist and/or
villain has some psychic ability and superpowers (e.g. Pokémon: The Rise of Darkrai, The X-Files)
5. T H R I L L E R : P R I M A RY
E L E M E N T S ( F RO M W I K I P E D I A )
• The protagonist(s) faces death, either their own or somebody else's.
• The force(s) of antagonism must initially be cleverer and/or stronger than the protagonist's.
• The main storyline for the protagonist is either a quest or a character who cannot be put down.
• The main plotline focuses on a mystery that must be solved.
• The film's narrative construction is dominated by the protagonist's point of view.
• All action and characters must be credibly realistic/natural in their representation on screen.
• The two major themes that underpin the thriller genre are the desire for justice and the morality
of individuals.
• One small, but significant, aspect of a thriller is the presence of innocence in what is seen as an
essentially corrupt world.
• The protagonist(s) and antagonist(s) may battle, themselves and each other, not just on a
physical level, but on a mental one as well.
• Either by accident or their own curiousness, characters are dragged into a dangerous conflict or
situation that they are not prepared to resolve.
6. FANTASY CONVENTIONS
Fantasy is a genre that uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting
Characteristics:
- Contains elements that are not realistic (e.g. talking
animals, magical beings/powers)
- Often set in a medieval universe
- Involves mythical beings
7. FANTASY: SUB-GENRES
Historical Fantasy: Would contain historical context
Fantastique: Overlaps with science fiction, horror and fantasy.
Races/Creatures: The use of creatures (e.g. Aliens, Hobbits, Fairies, Witches etc.)
Worlds: A fictional universe. Typical worlds involve magic or magical abilities and often, but not
always, either a medieval or futuristic theme.
Magician: A magician, which may also be known in various regions as a magic-user, mage,
magister, archmage, sorcerer/sorceress, witch, wizard, warlock, enchanter/enchantress, illusionist,
diviner or conjurer.
Religious Fantasy: These themes may be expressed directly, or through allegory and symbolism
(e.g. In ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ by C.S. Lewis, Aslan the Lion, can be considered as a
representation of Jesus. Aslan offers himself up as a sacrifice in place of the traitorous Edmund,
and is mocked, tortured, executed and subsequently resurrected. Aslan himself blatantly alludes to
his nature as an alternate Christ in the final scene of Voyage of the Dawn Treader, wherein he reveals
to the protagonists Edmund, Lucy and Eustace that in their own world, he is known by "another
name", and that they must learn to know him by that name.)
8. WHY DID WE CHOOSE
THESE GENRES?
For our production these two genres (Thriller and Fantasy) would be suited and in
depth, the sub-genre ‘Fantastique’ and perhaps ‘Supernatural Thriller’. Our
production consists of these genres, and it’s shown initially by the fact that Hansel
& Gretel in itself is a fantasy story. It can then be said that the type of shots, which
are fast paced and with mostly the two main characters running and looking behind
them to check if anyone/anything it behind them gives the audience a thrill. They
want to know what’s happening, who’s there, and why they are there. The sense of
being unaware to your surroundings and being lost makes the production seem
related to the the two genres and it’s why they were both chosen.
