Genre: Drama, thriller
Content: Serious films with little to no effects. They typically have a main conflict that the characters are trying to overcome. Throughout these films, they document the character's development through the conflict. What makes a thriller drama is the anticipation of the outcome of the conflict during the film.
Production Techniques: Lighting would be kept low key and dark to produce a mysterious tone to the scene, leaving the viewer to wonder what will happen and to ultimately build anticipation. By having dark tones in the character's costume design, they will seem closed off giving the illusion that the viewer doesn't truly know the character. Shots mainly utilized would be close ups to clearly reveal the characters emotion which is a large factor in producing suspense. Point of view shots may also work to provide the emotional connection to the conflict in the film because it makes the viewer feel as though they are in the situation with the character. Some camera movement within the film should be shaky to build on the characters unstable state through the conflict, this is another way to highlight the emotion. Mise-en-scene and props should also be kept dark to emphasize the mystery and tension within the film. Sound effects used should be loud and abrupt while music used should build up rather than kept at a certain level. The build up will further build anticipation and leave the viewer on the edge of their seat.
Marketing: The target audience for these thriller dramas are typically young adults within the ages of 15-25. They may be marketed through commercials on various platforms like TV, YouTube ads and other social media ads. Through these commercials they should emphasize the tension with fast cut editing and a dark color scheme through different conflicts faced throughout the film to show the viewer all the conflict the film has to offer. By showing upfront what the film has to offer, the targeted audience will know what to expect.
Film #1: Argo. This film is a drama through the character development in which many of the characters face while being held in hiding from the people of Iran. And it is a thriller though the anticipation created, with the audience continuously wondering how the hostages will manage to escape from their intense hiding. Throughout the movie, members of the U.S. government must share ideas on how to have these hostages escape and with this the audience is left wondering on which idea is best on ensuring the Americans escape. This film produces suspense through the outcome of the conflict, leaving the viewer on the edge of their seat wondering if the plan ends up working. It also creates suspense with the low key lighting and empty Mise-en-scene used when the American hostages are in hiding to build anticipation on whether they will be caught.
Film #2: Kidnap. This movie is a drama through the character development the main character faces when overcoming the main conflict of finding her kidnapped son. And it has a thriller element through the suspense built up on various other conflicts throughout the film. Examples would be the main character loosing her car, getting into an accident and almost being held hostage herself. With these situations the audience builds anticipation the the main conflict of the character ultimately facing smaller challenges to retrieve her kidnapped child. This film utilizes dramatic music along with low key lighting to create an abundance of tension in the scenes.
Other Examples:
Gone Girl https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2267998/
The Girl on the Train https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3631112/
Prisoners https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1392214/
The Invitation https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2400463/
Red sparrow https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2873282/
