Codes and conventions of thrillers
Notes:
Definition:
Both literal and film based genre that contains build-up of suspense. Mystical aspects are used to engage reader’s interpretations of events.
Sub Genres:
· Psychological
· Crime
· Supernatural
· Action
· Erotic
· Horror
· Political
· Drama
· Disaster
CK Chesterten, British Author Martin Rubin ‘Thrillers 1999’ John Cawelti ‘The Exotic’
Modern genre set mainly in urban environments ‘poetry of modern life’
Transform the ordinary to the extraordinary
Northrop Frye; The heroic romance
Hero is nearly always an ordinary person like the viewer
The ordinary person is forced to behave in extraordinary ways because of his or hers circumstances
‘Moves the world in which ordinary laws of nature are slightly suspended
Enchanted Forest= Normal modern city
Modern city= Enchantment and mystery
Introduction of the unfamiliar
Artefacts/objects/props from the middle-east or orient
Location
WH Matthews – Mazes and Labyritiths Pascal Bonitzer- Partial version
Origins- Greek Mythology
Hero in a thriller often finds them-selves in a predicament
Faced with mazes full of twists and dead ends in order to reach the villain
Could be literally or a metaphorical for the narrative
Audience are presented with hero’s puzzles and problem solving
Audience only see so much, elements are hidden
Blind spots are introduced to build suspense and leave unanswered questions for the audience
What we don’t see is just as important as what we do see
Character is placed in an ‘unlimited prison’
Lars ole saurberg- concealments and protraction
Suspense works in two ways, pulls the audience in two different directions
Concealments- deliberately hiding something from the audience
Protraction- deliberated delaying of a suspected outcome i.e. bomb explosion, a planned killing
Noel Carroll- The question – answer model
Audience are presented with questions that they wait in suspense for the answer i.e. will the hero die? Who is the killer?
1. Probability factor- a ‘sure thing’ is less exciting than the battle against odds
2. Moral factor- morally right outcome increase involvement
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