Directors and Actors

Directors

Alfred Hitchcock

Hitchcock began his career in 1921, and ended it in 1976, 4 years before his death. During this 55 year career, he developed the nickname 'The Master Of Suspense'. Hitchcock mainly directed for psychological thrillers. He pioneered many thriller techniques in silent films and early 'talkies'. Hitchcock was a very successful thriller director, as he is still very well known and well loved for his work nearly 30 years after his death. The films he made were very skilfully created, and earned him a great deal of respect and credit within the thriller genre of film.

Martin Scorsese

Scorsese's career began in 1963, and is still on-going. He is known for being a director, actor and a screen write, which gives him experience in every role of film.

Some of his trademarks as a director are:

-beginning his films with clips or segments which actually come from the end or middle of the film.

-frequent use of slow motion and freeze frame.

-using main characters which are sociopathic and/or want to be accepted into society.

-using blonde leading ladies, which when seen through the protagnists eyes are often angelic or ethereal.

-using guilt as a prominent theme.

-slow motion flashbulbs and camera/flash/shutter sound effects.

Actors

Robert De Niro

De Niro began his career in 1963 and is still in his current career. He is very well-known for his collaboration with Martin Scorsese. He is also known for his method of action, and his portrayal of troubled and conflicted characters. This gives De Niro is a good example of a thriller actor, as he is able to provide the conventions needed in a thriller character through his acting skills.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford is a very renowned actor, well known for his roles in 'The Fugitive' and 'Air Force One', two films, typical of the thriller genre. His career spans from 1966 to the present day. He acted in these two films during the 90's. From my research, I've seen that in the 80's and 90's, thriller films began to get a lot more popular, and widely filmed, than they were in 70's and years before.