Thriller Film Conventions
Most of the conventions in the thriller genre are to do with sounds and editing such as quick cuts and camera angle changes, and music that delivers the feeling of tension as well as an upbeat racey sound to match the action, it can also be do to with lighting especially the use of shadow. Shadow is commonly used in this genre, mirrors and stairs also contribute to this.
-Titling: Most films that i've studied seem to have their credits over a black screen with non diegetic music playing to set a scene.
-Camera Movement: Tracking and pan shots are commonly used at the begining, particularly a certain group of people (or person) who we should be interested in as the audience.
-Shots: The most typical shots used in thriller films seem to be close ups, to build supsense and mystery at the begining. Long shots are often used to set the scene and show the audience where the action will be taking place.
-Narratives: Thriller films are normally shown from two characters point of view. The first being that of the protagonist, which involves the audience more in events and creates empathy for the character. In the thriller film genre, the narrative often centres around a crime. Many popular thriller films revolve around a serial killer on the loose. The films try to convey a lot of action the thrill the audience. Often the protagonist will have an exploitable weakness that the antagonist will take advantage of.
-Setting:Can be urban, isolated surbuban settings, cities or quiet country villages.
-Mise-en-scene: Normally dim lighting hiding parts to a charachter, large threatening weapons for props e.g. large knives, guns etc. Camera shots are normally point of view shots, frames within frames, or close ups. Often ther is also alot of camera movement. Colours are also used to signify different emotions like red connates blood or danger, blue cold mystery or death.
Themes are commonly based around societes current fears and worries. They may be isolation, entrapment, murder, pain or terrorism etc.
-Camera Angles: Low angles are common levels of framing. High angles are also used at certain times, this is used mainly to show whos in control and who has power.
Horror Film Conventions
Horror films are unsettling films designed to frighten and panic,and to invoke our hidden worst fears, often in a terrifying, shocking finale.It plays very much on the human fear of death and murder.The film usually features one antagonist or several antagonists who are determined to kill a group of protagonists until one remains.
Horror Conventions :
-Blood and gore
-Murder and death
-Unexpectedness
-Isolation
-Mostly always one survivor
-Darkness
