Thriller Conventions

 

As my main task for groupwork is to make the title sequence and opening for a thriller film, I decided to list a few codes and conventions of thriller films, these are as follows:

• Low key lighting is very common ( it's very mysterious and sets the dark scene)
• Protaganists normally has a weakness that the Antagonist exploits.
• Title of the film normally reflects this weakness.
• Narrative is nearly always crime or psychological problem based.
• There is usually quick cuts, ( to build up the action, it seems more tense, for example when someone is being repetitively stabbed you will see it from many different angles, it becomes more "exciting").
• Fading to black is used quite a lot, once again for this mysterious feel.
• Foot step sound effects are in many horrors as it builds tension and suspense.

Further to this Thrillers normally include similar objects/codes which they are associated with:

• Stairs (add to the tension of a chase)
• Mirrors (show reflection and things happening behind characters)
• Shadows (add to the overall darkness/mysteriousness)

The codes and conventions of an opening of a thriller

• Mysterious.
• Abstract.
• Fast paced.
• Disorientating.
• Low key.
• Dirty reflective of the killer.
• Quick cuts.