Portfolio Project Genre #1

 Hey blog! Today is the start of my portfolio project, we have to research different genres and pick two genres and a sub genre as well. For my first genre I chose is thriller and sub genre psychological.

Genre: Psychological Thriller

 Definition: Psychological thriller is a genre that focuses on characters unstable emotional or mental states, creating tension and suspense through psychological conflict. Which  explores themes of the manipulation of the mind.

1. Target Audience: The audience for thriller is active and enjoy solving mystery and puzzles. Majority of the audience are teenagers and adults 18–25. The characters as they’re usually developed and have their own stories which are revealed to the audience, and the storylines because they involve the audience as they have to figure out the storyline along with the characters and unravel it themselves, which makes them want to watch more. Thriller targets people who enjoy suspense, mystery, and stories that make them think outside the box. Viewers who like plot twists, and emotional tension rather than action. Often gravitate to audiences interested in psychology, crime, and the human mind. 

2. Genre conventions with content: In psychological thrillers, the story mainly follows a protagonist who struggles with an emotional or mental issue that affects how the story is presented and how the audience understands what is happening. Some themes to keep in mind are obsession, trauma, fear, guilt, and identity, which are mainly included in psychological thrillers that add to the suspense and tension. Unreliable narrators are commonly used in psychological thrillers films, which makes it difficult for the audience to trust what the character is saying or seeing, adding to the anxiety and confusion. Events like crimes, secrets, or trauma that go unresolved serve as the source of tension in the story, and which are often included in psychological thrillers.

3. Genre conventions with techniques:  The use of shadows combined with low-key lighting is the to key for psychological thrillers. These techniques heighten suspense and often symbolize the hidden darkness within a character’s psyche. Mise-en-scene most of the time villains typically wear casual yet smart attire, portraying the modern, urban environments where most psychological thrillers unfold. The neutral color palate emphasis the mood of the story. The setting plays an important role, with the majority of the genre's openings taking place in city and modern settings. Landscapes or rural settings are uncommon because they run the risk of being confused with settings from horror movies. Sound plays a major part in psychological thrillers because they often rely on unsettling and suspenseful music to heighten the atmosphere of the film. This type of sound design intensifies the mood. Camera movements lastly are crucial. Quick moves develop tension and panic, making the audience share the character's feelings.

4.Institutional conventions – narrative image, marketing, etc.: Psychological thrillers use, major studios or streaming services like Netflix, HBO, or Amazon Prime to put them out, and are known for making serious stuff that feels high quality. The marketing plays a huge part as well, for example posters commonly use dark colors and faces looking intense that hint at secrets or danger but doesn't give away the plot. Psychological thriller trailers usually build up the tension without spoiling everything. Oftentimes posters have just one main person in it, surrounded by shadows or broken images, or even reflections. That represents the confusion and identity stuff going on inside. Sometimes it feels a bit overdone, but it works for showing the psychological side.

5.Two film/tv productions that represent the genre:

In Fractured (2019), psychological thriller conventions are shown through the main character’s mental struggle and the mystery surrounding his missing family. The film uses doubt, realistic storytelling, and themes of trauma and guilt, leading to a shocking twist that changes the audience’s understanding of the story.

In The Price of Confession, the genre is represented through secrets, guilt, and suspicion surrounding a murder case. The characters face emotional conflict, the story includes flashbacks and twists, and the marketing and visuals use dark tones and serious expressions to highlight psychological tension.

Sources:

Amplify XL. (n.d.). The target audience for thriller films: Who enjoys thrillers? https://amplifyxl.com/the-target-audience-for-thriller-films-who-enjoys-thrillers/

Ejazfilm. (n.d.). Audience expectations from thrillers. https://ejazfilm.com/audience-expectations-from-thrillers/

Vaia. (n.d.). Psychological thriller: Themes & analysis. https://www.vaia.com/en-us/explanations/english/literary-genres/psychological-thriller/