Narrative Enigmas in Trailers

Jordan

Psychological Thrillers

Narrative conventions• Typically, there are a lot of medium and close up shots used

and sometimes, the use of a hand held camera to restrict certain information and create enigma and mystery.

• The use of montage and fast pace editing is used to create a puzzle and build up tension at the uncertainty and mystery of the scene shown in the fraction of a second.

• Non-diegetic voiceover-could be the voice in their heads, also if we have not yet been introduced to the character makes the audience question who they are.

• Flashbacks are also used to help clarify and develop the narrative.

Narrative structure

• The non-linear narrative structure of this genre is to confuse the audience a little, so they are more desperate to find out what happens in the film.

• Flashbacks are also used to help clarify and develop the narrative.

• There is an equilibrium and disequilibrium, but there is no new equilibrium as this part will be revealed in the actual film.

Restrictive narrative

• Predominantly restricted narrative is used as the audience are left not knowing what happens to the main character at the end of the film.

• The use of close up shots of hands or little actions done by the main character hide the identity of the actual character.

• This also creates enigma for the audience.

Unrestrictive narrative

• Unrestricted narrative structure is used to display the location and environment of the film to the audience and show little clues/hints to the identity of a character.

• Titles are also used to reference the past or explain the current situation so the audience have a better understanding.

• This can also be done through voiceovers.

Enigmas for audience

• What is the meaning of the signs/hints?• Who is the killer?• Does the killer get caught?• What persuades/makes the killer kill?

How they create enigmas?

• Through the use of fast pace editing- the build of tension and the limitation of time on the shots is how enigmas are created.

• Flashbacks- another way of creating enigma, as it encourages the audience to try and piece out the information they’ve been given from their own interpretations.

How does this connect to the expectation/ conventions of the genre?• Psychological thrillers are generally expected

to be thrilling through its fast pace.• The location is conventionally set in

modern/urban settings and mostly in an abandoned or inhabited city.