Narrative Themes and Plots
What are themes? Why are they important to identify for the audience?
A theme is a central topic of the narrative, it informs the audience of what the film is about. It revolves around a repeated idea in a film, commonly spoken, written or thought about. Some narratives may deal with several themes at once, but usually focus on one central theme, these themes may depend on genre. For example, films in the action genre may follow themes of violence, friendship, death and fighting.
Themes and genres - discuss how themes are dependent on genres and why.
A theme is a central topic of the narrative, it informs the audience of what the film is about. It revolves around a repeated idea in a film, commonly spoken, written or thought about. Some narratives may deal with several themes at once, but usually focus on one central theme, these themes may depend on genre. For example, films in the action genre may follow themes of violence, friendship, death and fighting.
Themes and genres - discuss how themes are dependent on genres and why.
Themes are dependent on genre as the audience should be able to expectt certain themes according to the genre of film they are watching. This makes the narrative more clear to the audience and they will not be confused, different genres have different themes but some themes to interlink with each other as they may not be conventional to that specific genre.
Action: Violence, friendship, death, fighting
Thriller: Mystery, sexual, murder, death
Horror: Death, murder, torture, violence
Crime: Violence, death, money, drug use.
War: Violence, death, trust.
Romantic Comedy: Relationships, separation, family.
Sci-fi: Alien, space, travel.
Common themes in thrillers
The themes in the Mystery Thriller The Usual Suspects (1995) are:
- Mystery
- Violence
- Crime
The themes in the Horror Thriller Sinister (2012) are:
- Death
- Torture
- Violence
- Murder
The themes in American History X are:
- Violence
- Racism
- Murder
- Crime
- Revenge
The themes portrayed in the Political Thriller Argo are:
- Violence
- Politics
- Crime
The themes portrayed in the action thriller Furious 7 (2015) are:
- Death
- Violence
- Crime
- Murder
- Revenge
The themes portrayed in the Crime-Mystery Thriller Gone Girl (2014) are:
- Murder
- Death
- Crime
- Revenge
Impact of themes on audiences
Themes impact audiences due to genre and sub genre. For example, action thrillers may have themes of violence or murder. This can both excite the audience or frighten them, although these themes are expected in an action thriller, the audience will still have an appropriate reaction. As well as this, themes such as death or crime would affect the audience negatively, some may be upset or hysterical. An example of this is after the screening of The Exorcist (1973), this film called a lot of controversy due to this. According to the genre, the audience should be able to identify and follow the themes that the sub genres follow as this will enhance how much they enjoy the film through by relating to it, or simplifying enjoying a specific genre. For example, a movie fan may specifically want to watch films that follow politics, therefore they will continue to look for and watch political thrillers or political dramas.
Conclusion
In conclusion, different themes generate different responses amongst audiences, although it does depend on each individual person. I have concluded through my research that I will follow themes of murder, death and some moderate violence as these are all conventional themes in a thriller and will give the audience the most scared, excited and terrified reactions. I will use these themes by depicting dead bodies in my opening, they will be shown vaguely but not be lingered on. This will be so that the audience will not know the extent of violence that they victims have been through to have died, they will just know that death is a common theme. This will instil dear amongst my audience.
In conclusion, different themes generate different responses amongst audiences, although it does depend on each individual person. I have concluded through my research that I will follow themes of murder, death and some moderate violence as these are all conventional themes in a thriller and will give the audience the most scared, excited and terrified reactions. I will use these themes by depicting dead bodies in my opening, they will be shown vaguely but not be lingered on. This will be so that the audience will not know the extent of violence that they victims have been through to have died, they will just know that death is a common theme. This will instil dear amongst my audience.
Basic research which is at times proficient on your understanding of themes within thriller films. Some good examples drawn upon.
ReplyDeleteTo improve;
-include a few more sub-genres of thrillers and identify the themes within them because at the moment you comment on different genres which isn’t very specific to thrillers
-try and be a bit more specific to thriller openings as there are a lot of scenes/trailers here
-do the audience need to be able to identify with the themes according to the genre?
-how do you plan to use these themes within your thriller opening?
Thanks Miss, I have made these changes.
ReplyDeleteWell done, much more specific to openings and clear to see you have a more developed idea of themes within different types of thrillers. Excellent work.
ReplyDelete