Portfolio Project Genre #1

 Portfolio Project Genre - Psychological/Thriller

Hey everyone..! It's been a while...

For my AICE Media Portfolio Project I was told to pick two genres to research for a film opening, as soon as I heard that, I can't lie, I was already overwhelmed. I'm really indecisive and I constantly change my mind or get better ideas after already making a choice, so when it comes to picking something I usually require way more time I don't have for this decision...

For the first genre I'm considering for my project, I've been thinking in doing a psychological thriller/drama.

I know I would like to produce something that will catch the viewer's attention and maybe even allow me to be used as an example for the following classes...

As I've always been into psychology and truly fascinated by the shock factor in thrillers when I discovered psychological fiction is a thriller sub-genre I can't say I wasn't excited.

---------------------

"Psychological fiction takes readers deep inside the minds of its characters" https://fictionary.co/journal/psychological-fiction/

When it comes to psych fiction the general audience is more mature (obviously) most being rated and recommended for an 18+ audience as it may include violent and naturally a more disturbing atmosphere a younger audience wouldn't be able to see through the meaning and the allusions presented.

On a realistic note, it might be challenging to filter to this sub genre and make it appropriate for a classroom since it depends on "uneasy" factors and feelings, but it's nothing I can't figure out...

The thriller genre itself is all about suspense and tension, it focus on keeping the audience hooked and on edge throughout the entire film instead of only at the climax. It usually involves a sort of danger or a mysterious atmosphere which I was thinking could be achieved with a lot of lighting techniques (specially low-key lighting) the only thing I'm a bit puzzled upon is the fact that thriller, specially psychological ones tend to have a weird crossover between reality and what's in the characters head ,making it harder to tell what is actually happening, which would usually not be an issue but since I have to produce a film opening with barely any context, it will be challenging to elaborate that in such a short clip (2 minutes).

When it comes to genre convention based on content, meaning, "a group of themes and topics that make the genre what it is" (https://www.studiobinder.com) In the thriller genre, this is usually presented by producing films with a tense storyline (murders, kidnappings, secrets, investigations, etc.) but when it comes to techniques, it mostly relies on camera angles, sound, editing, setting/props, narrative techniques and as mentioned before, lighting. The shift from a close up to fast cuts, or hidden meaning props highlighted with lowkey lighting is essential to embrace the suspenseful atmosphere.

Institutional conventions in thrillers are the best way studios and networks are able to form/shape the story and its atmosphere. This includes marketing like trailers, merch, posters, choosing where and when to release it and other key factors to intrigue and bring in audiences all over the world. 

Some productions that have inspired this genre for me, would be Euphoria  and Girl, Interrupted.

(Now I know both of these productions may be a controversial selection since they're obviously not appropriate for school projects, yet since the project only relies on the start of the film and not the following development I believe id be able to filter it and pull it off while still displaying they're hard feeling emotion. And yes both productions are listed as a psychological thriller.)

Girl, Interrupted (Film, 1999)

This film is a strong example of psychological thriller because it explores the mental struggles of the characters mental struggles in a psychiatrist hospital, focussing on their thoughts and emotions.

Euphoria (Tv series, 2019)

Although technically a "teen drama" it still includes strong psychological elements of mental health and struggles, as the series develops it transitions into a thriller by highlights trauma factors, and other thriller like genre conventions.