Thriller Conventions

Georgia Ray

• The Thriller genre follows specific devices to build tension and engage an audience. They tend to increase in pace to keep them on edge towards the climax of the film. Sub-genres of the Thriller genre are:

• Crime• Psychological• Revenge• Supernatural• PoliticalDespite the different sub-genres, they still hold the

same stereotypical thriller conventions and characteristics.

Plot Conventions

• Involves innocent character/s (protagonist/s) being put in a difficult situations which involve them escaping in some way.

• This plot line may be confused by false accusation or mistaken identity (known as an enigma)

• The film increases in pace, leading towards a climax in order to keep an audience engaged.

Themes

• Crime• Murder/Death• Revenge• Romance triangles (may lead to murder)• Mystery• Isolation• Voyeurism• Dangerous World• Psychological

Setting

Usually in one type of setting or another:•Either isolated settings, rural such as farm houses/fields etc•Urban environments such as cities or other built up areas that enable easy hiding. This is used mostly in Crime Thrillers.

Character/s

• Protagonist- innocent hero who is unaccustomed to danger. This gives more sympathy from the audience.

• Antagonist- May be criminals, stalkers, assassins, psychotic individuals etc.

Other character's tend to be victims of the antagonist.

Iconogrpahy

• Confined spaces• CCTV cameras• Mirrors• Weapons, e.g. knives• Photographers• Finger Prints• Running water• Lamps• Shadows

Editing

• Increasing shot pace, cutting them closer together

• Static • High contrast• Montage editing• Altering camera angle• Blur

Sound

• Non-diegetic – ambience, synth sounds to build tension and give an eerie atmosphere. Sometimes orchestral. Slow to past paced.

• Diegetic- heartbeat, static, heavy breathing, creaky door/floorboards, slamming doors etc.

Sound

• Non-diegetic – ambience, synth sounds to build tension and give an eerie atmosphere. Sometimes orchestral. Slow to past paced.

• Diegetic- heartbeat, static, heavy breathing, creaky door/floorboards, slamming doors etc.