Reseach - Opening Of A Thriller – Conventions

Camera shots/movement;

This convention helps to give a film its thriller genre, as different camera angles create different senses of body language and emotions. Thriller films also use Camera Angles such as facial close up shots and mid shot,long shot etc.

Examples from Psycho



Close Up Shot



Mid Shot

Some Camera Movements also make the audience feel tense and also helps to make them feel like they are actually in the film. For example when the camera moves the camera about, they try to mimic the characters breathing ect.

Editing;

The other important convention that makes up a thriller is Editing, this gives films things like quick cuts. These quick cuts can also be seen in films such a psycho, when the women in the shower is getting stabbed there is a lot of fast cut, as it shows different angles of her being stabbed. This makes the film fast paced and makes it more tense.




Sound;

This contains very important elements which make up a thriller. For example themes, as the different music themes produce a different mood and feel for thriller films. Another sound element which is very important is high pitched sounds/orchestral stabs such as screeches. For example from the Psycho the orchestral stabs and screeches when the lady in the shower is being stabbed sets the mood of the thriller. This adds suspense and horror/thriller to the film to give it its thrilling genre. Other sound elements which are used to give the films their thrilling genres are; diegetic/ non-diegetic sounds, synchronous/asynchronous sounds, etc.

Mise-en-Scène;

Mise-en-Scène contains a few important elements which help add thriller to films and also help to add suspense as well. Lighting such as colour design has to be dark to help give the film a gloomy mood and helps to make the audience feel more suspense towards the film. Another thing which also makes and opening thrilling is props, as in thriller films there is a lot of sharp objects and weapons like glass, knives, guns etc. The set design/ location also helps the genre of the film stick to thriller, as the right set/location such as a gloomy warehouse or dark woods give a thrilling film as it shows mystery and suspense/tension towards the audience