Thriller conventions

Thriller conventions

Camera work

Typical shots

Establishing shot-location

Mid shots-characteristics

Close ups-disorientation

Composition/framing

Key props

Creates suspense

Use of camera movement/angles

High/low angle shots to show power/status

Use of perspective

1^st person=empathy

Editing

Shows complex narrative/tension as story converges

Fast or slow cuts to make it fit in with the mood (fast cuts for action)

Thriller opening conventions

Drama tension

Use of music

Titles-name of film, actors, directors, company identity

Confusing- questions want to be answered

One significant event

Sounds

Use ambient sounds-music/noises fade in/out = atmosphere

Voice over to create back story

Avoid dialogue

Mis-en-scene

Setting-realistic/isolated

Costume-realism

Actors-males (protagonist, antagonists)

Women usually the victim

Weapons-realism

Lighting-shadows etc.

Narrative

Disorientating start halfway through an event-audience left with questions

Chronological?

Introduce main characters/plot

Extension of conventions of a Thriller

1. Plot: Generally, thrillers show justice and injustice (or good and evil) fighting against each other, with an overall feel of suspense. Most often, the identity of the antagonist is known and the protagonist must intervene with their plans; a thriller movie usually has a growing sense of threat and/or danger and there is a clear sense of pursuit, although they sometimes begin with a sense of equilibrium and show the overall degeneration of events.

          Narrative: (points of view; events) The story of a typical thriller film will usually be shown from the protagonist’s point of view, following events that the heroes must overcome. This point of view allows the audience to become more involved in the events themselves and therefore closer to the characters, as they see how the characters interact with each other in different situations.

          However, other points of view are sometimes included in the telling of the plot: often they will be short clips from the villain’s point of view, allowing the audience to see how the antagonist acts while by themselves, or how they used to act i.e. in a flashback, which creates empathy for the villain and possibly allows the audience to understand why they have become the evil party. Depending on the character that plays the villain or how much is revealed to the audience, a sense of guilt can also be created. Most typically, events covered by the film are important to the film’s progression and lead directly on from a previous scene.

          There are usually lots of action scenes between characters, which keep the audience guessing what will happen next and how the characters will interact with each other. If the characters actions are erratic and keep changing then the film’s suspense grows, as we do not know what will happen next. During scenes where the characters are simply talking with each other, the audience generally understands what is happening but never gets the full explanation of the plot or events taken place, which allows the film to retain its mystery and suspense until later. Usually the motive of the villain and their relation to the hero will be revealed at the end or near the end of the film, and the audience is then able to understand why the characters have acted the way they have. If the motive is left unrevealed, the film will end of a note of suspense and confusion, allowing the audience to continue to imagine what would happen after the film has finished.

Characters: (dress; typical roles) The two main characters (antagonist and protagonist) in a thriller are set apart from each other in the way the audience views them. The heroes in thrillers are often men that are accustomed to danger in their jobs or lifestyles (i.e. policemen, spies, etc) or are ordinary citizens that have been pulled into danger by accident. The male hero usually has an aim to defeat the evil of the situation and will persevere even if nothing is going according to plan.

          The villains in thrillers are also typically men, usually tall and/ or well built, and with a shady sense around them that gives the impression that they shouldn’t be trusted. This character may have some physical deformity, or a traumatic experience that has changed their outlook on life or humanity. Usually they will work alone.