To What Extent Have the Techniques Used in Thrillers Changed?

International Baccalaureate Languages

Rammy Abssi

Mr. McIlroy

English 10a

March 12, 2008

To What Extent Have the Techniques Used in Thrillers Changed?

Over time, film techniques have changed tremendously. In every different genre there is always a range of techniques which are used. The use of two things happening at once, special effects such as prosthetics, and a twist in the plot are three very interesting film techniques used in most thriller movies. These three techniques have changed, one way or another, over time.

A common film technique used in thriller movies is the use of two different things happening at once. This builds tension into a scene as the situations are usually contrasting. This technique pushes the audience towards one situation and keeps them focused on the importance of that situation. Over time, this technique has changed slightly. Long ago this technique was not used and many of the thriller films were considered boring; however, as the technique came to use this increased the tension greatly. In more modern thriller films, one of the two things happening would be humorous. This keeps the audience’s mind off the main plot of the film, therefore surprising them when the thrilling part jumps at them. For example, a long time ago the movie M this technique was never used. This is due to the fact that this movie was directed in the early 1930’s; however, as compared to Fight Club, directed in 1999, there is a clear difference in this technique being used. The use of two things happening at once is commonly used in thriller films and over time this common use has slightly changed.

Another film technique used in thriller films is the use of prosthetics. This technique shows a great deal of change. Prosthetics are part of the special effects used in thriller movies. Through the use of make-up prosthetics can completely transform a human’s face and looks. This technique has changed tremendously over a short period of time. Prosthetics is a more modern special effect used in thriller films. In modern day films the use of prosthetics puts a whole new meaning to thriller movies. For example if you compare Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho to the more modern Alien Versus Predator, a great change ...

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Another film technique used in thriller films is the use of prosthetics. This technique shows a great deal of change. Prosthetics are part of the special effects used in thriller movies. Through the use of make-up prosthetics can completely transform a human’s face and looks. This technique has changed tremendously over a short period of time. Prosthetics is a more modern special effect used in thriller films. In modern day films the use of prosthetics puts a whole new meaning to thriller movies. For example if you compare Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho to the more modern Alien Versus Predator, a great change is noticeable. In Psycho barley any prosthetics is used; however, in comparison in Alien Versus Predator, the non-human creatures are made through prosthetics. This shows that the use of prosthetics in thriller films has changed tremendously.

A twist in the plot or an unexpected change is a third film technique used in thriller movies. Once the audience is full of suspense and the mood is tense, the action or plot would immediately change causing the audience to be thrilled. It is almost as if the film leads the audience towards one direction and suddenly the opposite of what they expect happens. When this technique is put on a time scale there is not much of an obvious change. Compared to prosthetics and the use of two things happening at once, the technique of the twist in the plot barley changed at all. Both a long time ago and in more modern thriller films, there is an unexpected change in the plot of the storyline in the film or movie. In the movie Saboteur, directed in 1942, the antagonist is about to die and the audience is convinced that he will be killed; however, there is a complete twist and immediately the protagonist, main character, is killed. Looking at this example, there is an obvious twist in the plot even though this movie was directed a long time ago. All in all, this film technique, the twist in the plot, has been used for a long time and is still used in almost all modern and successful thriller movies.

Overall, there is a range of film techniques used in thriller films. The use of two things happening at once, special effects including prosthetics, and the twist in the plot are three examples of film techniques used in thriller films. Overtime, each one of these techniques has changed differently.

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