nous: A Butt Load of Research Part 1

Since I know my short film is going to be a combination of genres (science fiction and a psychological thriller) I will be researching both genres separately along with finding information on the combined genre. Starting off with the psychological thriller genre.

Conventions and tropes of the Psychological Thriller Genre:

While the general genre of thriller films aim to give the audience thrills, a psychological thriller aims to do the same, but through the psyche of characters. Most psychological thrillers are told through a first-person POV, a back story, or a stream of consciousness. Psychological thrillers also don't typically have a distinguished "hero" of the film, often the main character is the "anti-hero" and their antagonist is themselves. Common plots of PT films have characters fighting their own mind and questioning reality.

Typical production conventions of PT films include

quick cuts
angle/shot variety
eerie and high tension music
low lighting

Typical Plot Conventions:

Unreliable Narrator - Helps to create a mystery to the plot, leaving out crucial information. Often times the narrator is unreliable is due to severe memory loss or amnesia and a mental illness. ex. The Girl on the Train (2016) Rachel's inability to recall most of her memory due to her alcoholism
Plot Twist - A surprising end in which audiences were not anticipating. ex. Memento (2000) the reveal when the two time narratives meet
"MacGuffin" - A term coined by Alfred Hitchcock which has come to mean an object or device used to trigger, or move along the plot. May be used to increase suspense. ex. Doug in The Hangover (2009)

Film Examples