Thriller Conventions

Thriller conventions

 

Camerawork:

Mid shots - Reactions, emotions

Close ups - Involvement, concealment, claustrophobia

Compostion and framing - Exclusion of objects to create tension

Camera movement and angles - Low/high angle - power/authority

1st person perspective - Empathy

3rd person should be used more often than 1st person

 

Editing:

Transitions-

-Dissolves link to events

-Fade to black/white = flashbacks

-Quick cuts create tension

Structure-

-Dual narrative (usually between the villain and victim)

-Non chronalogical order = tension

 

Thriller opening:

Start-

-Titles- actors,directors,camera,ect

-Title of film

-Ident-film company

First two minutes-

-Introduce key character(s)

-Atmosphere is created

-Plot intro/key event

 

Sound:

Diegetic/non-diegetic sound-

-Creates atmosphere

-Enhances the plot

-Ambient style (intrumental)

-Better to avoid dialogue

-Could use a voice-over

 

Mise-en-scene

Props-Hint at plot (guns/knives ect)

Setting-Realistic,isolated

Gender-

-Male authority/power/killer or hero

-Female-damsels in distress

Costume and lighting-

-Use of light and dark for atmosphere

 

Narrative

Storyline-

-Revenge

-Justice/crime

Use of chronology-Psychological effect

 

Subgenre:

Techno

Psychological

Film Noir

Sci-fi

Conspiracy

Supernatural

Religious

Romance

Spy

Mystery

Political

Medical

Action

Crime

Disaster

Eco