The thriller genre consists of a protagonist and an antagonist. The story would usually start when there is a disruption in the equilibrium. As the story progresses, a chain of bad events are shown to the audience to build up tension and suspense. In some thrillers they use tension to make the audience feel a little scared but they don't usually show you the antagonist. In thrillers, it can be left on a cliff hanger or it could be left with the protagonist losing against the antagonist.
Mise-en-scene is important in a thriller because the use of set, props and costumes add to the build up of tension. A technique used in thrillers would be mirrors. Mirrors reflect the character's emotion or their sudden realisation in things. Another technique would be the use of stairs. The characters can be placed on any step which could then suggest who's winning the battle between them. Other symbolic codes would be street lamps on a dark and empty road, or confined spaces, where the character cannot escape. Low key lighting may be used throughout the thriller because it gives the audience a sense of the unknown, making them feel scared. Moreover, thrillers can be shot in black and white. The limited colours suggest simplicity but it also enhances the shadows and silhouettes.
What are the conventions of a thriller?
- Low key lighting
- Slow/ minor music
- Quick cuts
- Diegetic sound e.g. breathing
- A hero and a villain
- Build up of tension
Mise-en-scene is important in a thriller because the use of set, props and costumes add to the build up of tension. A technique used in thrillers would be mirrors. Mirrors reflect the character's emotion or their sudden realisation in things. Another technique would be the use of stairs. The characters can be placed on any step which could then suggest who's winning the battle between them. Other symbolic codes would be street lamps on a dark and empty road, or confined spaces, where the character cannot escape. Low key lighting may be used throughout the thriller because it gives the audience a sense of the unknown, making them feel scared. Moreover, thrillers can be shot in black and white. The limited colours suggest simplicity but it also enhances the shadows and silhouettes.
In thrillers, they use quick cuts and camera angles to build tension which is an effective way to make your audience feel scared. This is because so many things are happening all at once. An example of this would be 'Psycho' the 1960 movie. Furthermore, the cinematography in thrillers consist of extreme close ups. For example, if there were a shot of the eye or a tear, it instantly tells the audience what the character is feeling. They also use close ups for facial expressions, high angles on the protagonist to show vulnerability and low angles on the antagonist to show that they have power over them.
This research has helped me understand the conventions of a thriller. These conventions can be used in our short film because it can help us achieve that tension build up which we want the audience to feel.
This research has helped me understand the conventions of a thriller. These conventions can be used in our short film because it can help us achieve that tension build up which we want the audience to feel.
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