Contributing Directors to the Thriller Genre

ALFRED HITCHCOCK

Alfred Hitchcock is considered the King of Thriller directing signature films for the genre including The 39 Steps(1935), The Man Who Knew Too Much(1956), Vertigo(1958), Psycho(1960) and The Birds(1963).

But just how was he successful... here are some of the techniques Hitchcock used....

 
THE HUMAN CAMERA

     Another thing Hitchcock always remembered was to let the camera tell the story. The camera he believed should be be like a humans eyes following the story and looking around, this also helps to engage the viewer as they feel as if they are there in the film watching everything either themselves or from the characters prospective.

He always remembered the audience: THRILL IS FUN!

     Throughout all of his films Hitchcock always remembered the audience he knew that they desired to be thrilled with the same feeling watching a film as when they go on a roller coaster. Even though they know they are safe on a roller coaster (well... supposed to be) they are still thrilled as if there might be some possible danger. In the same way when people come to see a film the room is darkened to be absorbed and thrilled by the film on the screen even though they know that at the end they will leave and resume their normal lives. So within that time you can drag them into a dangerous storyline, throw them about, thrust them into assumptions and pull them out again just like a roller coaster! It's for fun they say, and the more fun they have the more they'll come back.

Some of Hitch's nuggets of wisdom on Thriller Audience Relationships...

 - A Reporter once said to Hitchcock:   " What is the deepest logic of your films? "

     He replied:                                     " To put the audience through them "

 - On why people were fond of his thrillers:" They like to put their toe in the cold water of fear. " 

 - His audience relationship goal:       " Always make the audience suffer as much as possible. "

    

For more information on Hitchcock techniques, and even tips on how to turn your film into a hitchcock thriller! Visit:  http://www.borgus.com/hitch/ and
http://hitchcock.tv/

Brian Russell De Palma

Often known as the master of psychological thriller and sometimes referred to as a mere imitation of Alfred Hitchcock. Although he focus' more on Psychological thillers he often explores subtexts of romance and family, also dipping into genres like horror and melodrama gangster film. De Palma often uses the "Gods eye" point of view shot and searching and stalking camera techniques in his work.


To read more detail on De Palma and his work visit:  http://hitchcock.tv/people/depalma.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brian_De_Palma

Other noted directors in the thriller genre are

Martin Scorsese

He directed the (2010) Psychological thriller, Shutter Island staring Leonardo Dicaprio.

Chris Nolan

Another acclaimed director, known for thrillers like Momentum (2000) and The Batman trilogy including on of 2008's most successful and  thrilling films, The Dark Knight.