Musical/Thriller Genre Research

A comedy is "a film or theatrical production typically of a sentimental or humorous nature that consists of musical numbers and dialogue based on a unifying plot," according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary. Throughout the genre there are many typical conventions and codes that are followed. To begin with, most musicals typically use eye-line matches, over the shoulder shots, medium shots, long shots, and high angles. These camera angles and movements usually express the emotion or tone to the audience. For example, if the musical is trying to express something that is untouchable or intangible, the actors will use slow and graceful actions and movements. As another example, if the musical is trying to relieve sadness or depression, they will use upbeat singing and dancing. Another important element of musicals is the Mis-En-Scene. Important parts of the Mis-En-Scene include costumes, lighting, actors, makeup, props, and settings. First of all, lighting in the musicals is solely based on the mood or emotion the scene is trying to express. Common types of lightning include accent, spotlight, low-key, and back light lightning. Actors are usually chosen to express the story line of the musical. For example, if the musical is regarding the life of a college student, the musical might choose to use a young actor. Makeup is light and not overwhelming unless the story line calls for it. Additionally, props and scenes will relate to the musical. For example, if the story line of the musical takes place at the beach, the props would be a towel, sunscreen, and other beach accessories and the setting would be the beach. Finally, editing is still an element of musicals although not as important as other aspects. An example of editing in musicals is the flashbacks. Flashbacks are a scene in a movie set in a time earlier than the main story. Another common form of editing is jump cuts. Musicals often jump around to various scenes and settings throughout a movie, similar to how a play is preformed.

Furthermore, the most important elements of a musical consist of the original soundtracks, narrative structure, genre of songs (ex. ballet), dancing, and the score. Some examples of musical films include Grease, Hamilton, Hairspray, The Phantom of the Opera, Annie, and Cats. Sounds are very important in musicals. Common sounds found in musicals include ballad (love songs or passionate and moving songs), comedy numbers (comedic sounds to make the audience laugh), charm songs (meant to entrance or attract the audience), as well as musical scenes (a mixture of dialogue and songs). 

After in depth research, I have found certain elements of musicals that I both like and dislike. For example I enjoy the musical sound tracks, dance numbers, attitudes and actions of the characters, the dialogue, and the plot development throughout the musical. These factors all contribute to the enjoyment the audience has when watching a musical. However, there are some factors of musicals that do not appeal to me. For instance, some scenes have cheesy or non-comedic dialogue,  excessive set designs and costumes, and inordinate amounts of singing without dialogue. Overall, musicals are a very important genre with important elements such as the mis-en-scene and camera angles, movements, and shots of which some appeal to me, while others do not.

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A thriller is "a genre of literature, film, and television whose primary feature is that it induces strong feelings of excitement, anxiety, tension, suspense, fear, and other similar emotions in its readers or viewers—in other words, media that thrills the audience," according to literaryterms.net. Thrillers have a set of conventions and codes that producers can either choose to follow or not. To begin with, thrillers that follow the conventions usually use camera angles/movements such as birds eye views, high angles, close ups, tracking shots, tilts, and low angles. For example, high angles and birds eye view shots are used in thriller films to establish the effect that whatever is being looked down on appears to be intimidated and powerless. On the contrary, low angles are often used in thrillers to emphasize the dominance and superiority an antagonist has. Another key element of thrillers is the mis-en-scene. The costumes, lighting, actors, makeup, props, and settings all contribute to establishing the plot and keeping the audience on the edge of their seats. Costumes in thrillers are often very dull in color and concealing in order to build up the suspense and the mystery. Conventionally, the use of low key lighting to produce dark shadows on screen is popular in order create an ominous tone. Actors are not as important, but the makeup used typically consists of a dark color palate and may include blood or gore. Finally, props typically consist of weapons such as guns and knifes and settings are usually isolated, for example out in the wilderness or a haunted house. Furthermore, another key element of the thriller genre is the editing techniques. Common techniques used include flashbacks, shot-reverse-shots, jump cuts, parallel editing, and action matches. These techniques all help to create a sinister tone in the film.

Over and above that, the most important features of a thriller are well written plot structures and developments, point of views with the most to lose, multiple points of views, opening action scenes, main character's goals and fears, and fast pacing. Some examples of thriller movies include A Quiet Place, Ma, Birdbox, Get Out, Jaws, 47 Meters Down, Split and Joker. Common sounds found in thriller movies include dark/eerie sounds. These sounds tend to start off in a slow manor whilst gradually speeding up. These suspense building then leads to the climax where an action will take place.


After extensive research into Thriller movies, there are both elements that do and do not appeal to me. For instance, I thoroughly enjoy the suspenseful plot structures, loud and frightening sound effects, well thought out mis-en-scene and set design, and the camera angles and movements. However, there are some factors of thrillers that do not appeal to me. For example, there are many editing skills and techniques that need to be used, and the lack of necessary equipment that I have in order to create a suspenseful action scene. All in all, I have found thrillers to be a very interesting genre of film. The mis-en-scene, camera angles and movements, suspense, and sounds all contribute to my enjoyment of thriller. The thriller genre seems like a great selections for my Final Task.