Research Part #2

 This is a continuation of my thriller research. As I continue to read about the genre I discover more and more aspects of it. There is so much information about this one genre and the way it branches into different genres. 

There is said to be a core emotion for every genre of film, for thriller that emotion is excitement. People most commonly lean towards this genre because it feels as if they are taking risks without any actual risks involved. These risks are then deflated by the satisfaction of the protagonist uncovering what they needed to do in order to avoid destruction or disaster. All good thriller films have a controlling idea which can be defined as the lesson a filmmaker wants the audience to leave with. This controlling idea is most often developed unconsciously but it is always present. A controlling idea can be displayed through an ordinary sentence or developed through the actions of the characters throughout the film. Controlling ideas will differ depending on the nature of your story, meaning if it is meant to be a positive story or a negative one. 

There are certain scenes that must be included in the thriller genre according to Shawn Coyne. These scenes include: 

• Inciting crime of a master villain
• A clearly stated "point of no return" 
• Protagonists first strategy to defeating the antagonist 
• Protagonist uncovers what the antagonist desires most 
• Protagonist becomes the victim 
• Hero begs for mercy at the villain 
• False endings 

The "obligatory" scenes every thriller must have can differ depending on the subgenre of thriller that the film is about. However, these scenes are present in different forms. For example, a point of no return scene would not be the same in a romantic thriller than a psychological thriller. 

There are also various different conventions that must be followed in the thriller genre. Conventions are NOT obligatory scenes, the difference is that conventions are requirements that must be met in order to further develop a story's characters and plot. Conventions do not have to occur in a specific order unlike obligatory scenes. 

Here are some examples of conventions: 

• Detailed description of atmosphere 
• Crimes must contain a clue 
• Limited time for protagonist to act 
• Protagonist actively investigates 
• Lives depending on protagonist defeating antagonist 
• Hypocrite character

Source: https://storygrid.com/thriller-genre/

Next up is character development!!