Research into similar products: Reasearch into the thriller genre.

As for my trailer i'm leaning heavily on making it either a horror or thriller i thought it would only be natural to do some research into both genres so that i have the basic understanding of the genre so i know what i will be working with.

What is the thriller genre.

"Thriller film, also known as suspense film or suspense thriller, is a broad film genre that invokes excitement and suspense in the audience. The suspense element, found in most films' plots, is particularly exploited by the filmmaker in this genre. Tension is created by delaying what the audience sees as inevitable, and is built through situations that are menacing or where escape seems impossible".

The ultimate aim of the thriller genre is to create suspense and excitement for the audience. They're often set in busy urban streets. Violence and mystery is normally the main component of the genre. The genre aims to try and keep the audience in suspense but also alert and anticipation.

Common conventions of the thriller trailer:

• Low key lighting 
• Quick cuts
• Shadows
• Tension music
• Black and white shots
• Montages.

Characters

The protagonist is often a brave male who seeks to restore peace where as the antagonists will commonly have a unknown identity until the third act of the movie.

Theme

The plot of a thriller is normally a plot that is realistic and so the audience can supposedly relate to the plot which can create more suspense and worry for them as it could happen to them creating a more eery feel for the movie.

Cinematography

There is normally loads of close ups of the protagonists face to highlight his emotion or to highlight a specific importance of a prop within the trailer. 

Editing

It will normally include loads of jump cuts as in a thriller there is normally loads of aspects happening that the audience is unaware of but is essential for it to make sense. Cross cutting is also very heavily used as cross cutting can create the suspense that the thriller is built upon.

Sound

Music is one of the more important aspects of the thriller genre as the music can add the suspense, drama and mystery that the thriller needs. In a scene the music will often start to be integrated slow and slowly build and build for the moment of climax.

Mise en scene

The location is very important for the thriller because it can immediately help the audience establish the mood and theme of the trailer. The lighting will often be low-key lighting to go with the natural sombre tone of the thriller genre.