Research 5 Directors of Thriller Films

David Fincher

He is well known for directing brilliant thriller films. For example he has directed Se7en and Fight Club.

He has many 'trade marks' that make his thriller films so good.

• In his films you often see many single frames that flash up on the screen during a scene.
• He often uses silhouettes, and frequently has characters in the shadows where you can't make out their face. (Kevin Spacey in Se7en)
• His films usually end in suicide or attempted suicide.
• He often uses low-key lighting with blue and green colour temperature.
• The films frequently shows wide shots.
• David frequently casts Brad Pitt.
• The films almost always end with downbeat endings.

Bryan Singer

He is Known for directing The Usual Suspects. He also has some 'trade marks' that have made the usual suspects such a good thriller film.

• He often uses music from John Ottman, they have worked with each other for a long time and therefore they help each other out.
• He also works with cinematographer Tom Siegal.
• A recurring theme of alienation is used in his films.

He works with many other people in the industry a lot when directing his films, and this seems to help as he has made some brilliant thriller films.

Alfred Hitchcock

He has directed many of the top thriller films, including Psycho. He also has many many trade marks.

• He uses a recurring motif of a mistaken identity and the feeling of being lost. Also the motif of assumed identity is used in Psycho.
• To create suspense in his films he would alternate between different shots to extend cinematic time. (like the shower scene in Psycho)
• Also to create tension in his early films he created more shadows on walls etc.
• Again to create tension his driving scenes were always filmed in a particular way. They would alternate between the character's point of view while driving and a close-up shot of the inside of the car from opposite directions. This technique kept the viewer 'inside' the car and made any danger encountered more realistic.

Francis Ford Coppola

Francis is famously known for making the all time best thriller, The Godfather. He again has many trade marks that make his films very good.

• He often casted his own real life extended family members in the films. Which was successful as he got over real emotions to the audience in his films.
• He also includes the authors name in the title of his film e.g Mario Puzo's The Godfather. Which made people know what the film was, and knew what it was roughly about.
• He also Works with cinematographers and many different producers. This shows that him and Bryan Singer, know how to direct the best thrillers by using many different people in the industry.

Luc Besson

He is well known for directing the film Leon. He also has many trade marks for making a great thriller film.

• He often casts Jean Reno.
• The music is always done by Eric Serra.
• During the opening titles, the camera moves up to something important in the movie. Then it looks down until the important credits are shown. Then it swings up showing a certain place or character.
• his films often include fully enclosed sets with no lighting.
• Car chases often very low shots and close up to the front bumper.
• Films usually have a scene that is edited into real time.