Analysis of inspirational film poster design ideas

Inspirational film poster from Kimberley Espinosa

Analysis of a film poster campaign for psychological thriller

Poster film campaign new from kimbbzz

Creating the production logo

Creating the production logo from Kimberley Espinosa

Genre research - Influential psychological thriller films

Genre research - Institutional context of psychological thrillers

Film poster analysis - the silence of the lambs

Psychological thriller the silence of the lambs from Kimberley Espinosa

Genre research - Repertoire of elements

Repertoire of elements from Kimberley Espinosa

Genre research - History/background of psychological thrillers

History/background of psychological thriller

Historical context

Historical context

Psychological thriller films, have had a very long a diverse history. The genre Thriller alone, is used in literature, film and television programming, in thrillers they tend to use suspense, tension to create fear as well as excitement. These techniques and effects are the main elements used in order to form a thriller movie. In thrillers they generally have surprises that cause anxiety or terror to make the audience react. However, by the film genre also being psychological, it tends to include plot twists to create disorientation and confusion for the audience.

Thrillers were also created from the influence of horror films, as these are closely related, similarities they have include both building suspense and tension. However thrillers tend to create a storyline full of mysteries and tension building, where as horror films have always attempted to create horrible and fearful acts straightaway.

There are common devices and techniques used in psychological thrillers used. Some of these include plot twists, which is when the psychological side comes in. Plot twists have almost always been used, plot twists tend to build suspense to something and then reveals mind confusion information.

For many years, the MacGuffin is frequently used in thrillers to build suspense. McGuffin is a goal or item that helps move the plot and build it. However, The McGuffin tends to be a person or place, as they are likely to be more capable of building suspense. Alfred Hitchcock which is the director of the film 39 steps, released in 1935, made the term “McGuffin “popular after releasing this film. He also explained the term in a lecture at Colombia University in New York 1939.

Iconography can also help give information about the plot as well as the McGuffin aspect. Alfred also directed the silent movie names “The lodger” in 1926 which was the first psychological thriller, meaning that suspension, tension and death was included. However, due to the lack of development in technology the film was not that realistic. After Alfred had produced this film he begun to gain skills and ideas for psychological thrillers, as he always had an interest in this.

In our contemporary society psychological thrillers have increased in popularity, this is due to the improvements in technology and cinematography also being improved, For example, better camera angles, quality and shots is now taken into more consideration and investment than in the past.

Film genre mood board

Film promo treatment

Film promo treatment 

Group members: Kimberley, Kathrena, Jayden

Chosen genre: Psychological Horror/Thriller

Title of film: Electus 

Outline of ideas:

What is the basic plot synopsis?

A group of teenagers all named (Jordan?Taylor?) apply to a fake school/offered a scholarship by a fake school where they are trapped by a psychopath, who will only release them when they commit murder. However, the teenagers decide to stick together and use hidden clues found in the school to help them escape from the psychopath instead. Although, things start to fall apart for them when one of them decides to commit murder in order to escape. 

What type of characters will be in the film?

-      Psychopath - Antagonist

-      Innocent Victims (group of teenagers)

-      Protagonist - one of the teenagers

 What conventions of the genre will be included in your trailer?

-      Lowkey lighting will be used to create tension and enhance terror. Also makes the trailer more dramatic.

-      Fast paced editing will be used to further create and build tension.

-      A male antagonist will be used because they are seen to be strong and dominating.

-      Protagonist will be a female because they are seen to be vulnerable, naive and innocent.

-      Melancholic and sinister music will be used as well as sounds of people screaming and running. Also, high pitched music.

Where will your trailer be set? (details of interiors, exteriors, etc). What other aspects of mise-en-scene do you need to consider?

-      As the location gives an idea of the atmosphere to the audience, there tends to be large haunted houses or large schools, so we will be setting the school scenes in our school. The group of teenagers in the school corridors as well as the school basement. We decided to also film in the basement as it will be in low-key lighting and this will add a dull, mysterious effect causing suspense for the audience.
-      To make the audience relate to the characters, the group of teenagers will wear school clothes.