Media course work

1. THRILLER FILM RESEARCH

2. CONVENTIONS OF THRILLERS
The thriller genre uses several key points of convention which can be found in the variety of sub-
genres. This includes:
• Dark colour schemes and low key lighting to connote mystery and suspense
• Themes of isolation which shows the character as vulnerable in comparison to the antagonist
• Distressed appearance
• Settings that depict a normal everyday environment therefore creating more suspense and
tension
• Suspense, fear and tension
• Constant twists in the plot
• Protagonist VS Antagonist
• Conventionally represent injustice and the battle between good and evil

3. CONVENTIONS OF THE FORM
Film trailers are specifically designed to create a snapshot of the film, so you could
attract the target audience. This is done by revealing key moments of the film
without revealing the plot, so the audience will still be intrigued to know what will
happen next. Conventions of film trailers include:
• Production information and credits in order to provide the audience with
additional information about the background
• Captions in order to add suspense and tension which gives the film a professional
appearance
• Main stars and directors displayed on the trailer in order to make the film
recognisable to their previous work and lets the audience see what they expect
from the film
• Variety of locations which shows different characters
• Voice over draws in the attention from the audience
• Production companies can create more than one trailer although they feature
the same conventional points

4. The production information
featuring the Warner Brothers
logo ensures that the film
production is instantly
recognisable. Also, the logo is
adapted to suit the genre of
the film. Conventionally the
thriller genre is displayed with
a logo like the one on the left
as it looks dark, mysterious
and gloomy.

5. TECHNICAL ELEMENTS: CAMERA
WORK
Thriller films conventionally adapt the use of different types of camera work to
demonstrate an immediate change in the situation. This can be specifically seen
within the thriller film inception which uses shot types such as canted angle, close up,
wide shot to demonstrate different situations.
The canted shot angle is used to show the situation as unusual signifying that
something has happened to change this. This shot shows distress, a key theme in
thrillers.
The close-up shot is used to show the key features of the subject within the scene.
This is used to emphasise the characters key details and expressions.
The wide angle shot places the character in the middle of the frame so that the
audience are able to identify the situational surroundings

6. TECHNICAL ELEMENTS: EDITING
Thrillers conventionally use editing techniques to increase elements of suspense and
tension. This can be seen through elements such as the use of reaction shots which are
designed to highlight the characters reaction when they are approached by the
antagonist. Additionally, cut always emphasises what is happening around the situation
in a alternative scene, conventionally, one scene is shown to be chaotic whereas,
another demonstrates calm, everyday life adding to the twists and suspense with the
plot. Furthermore, the titles and captions on the film trailer are designed to emphasise the
narrative of the film. These create suspense and tension through their quick and catchy
phrases, conventionally these also fade to black to emphasis the scene has ended.

7. TECHNICAL ELEMENTS: MISE-EN-
SCENE
Costumes: The characters within thrillers are shown to have a smart appearance which suggests
the characters personality and role, but also highlights the differences between the characters.
Props and setting: thrillers are set in a normal everyday environment such as a house as this
adds to the suspense of the action as it shows the antagonist disturbing the normality.
Furthermore when there is a chase scene within the film small confined spaces are normally
used to signify entrapment and isolation. Also props aid with the narrative of the film and can
provide information about the characters personality.
Lighting: thrillers mainly use low-key lighting in order to create a dark or sombre atmosphere. This
creates tension as the audience are unaware of what could be happening in the surrounding
of the character.

8. TECHNICAL ELEMENTS: SOUND
Thrillers feature the use of elements such as ambient sound in order to
increase tension and panic within the situation. Screams incorporates the
use of asynchronous background through the girls screaming when the
titles appear which allowed the audience to instantly recognise the
nature of the film. Additionally, voice overs on a trailer draws the
audiences attention as the trailer is directly addressing them.