Conventions of Thrillers (Miss Hartt)

Conventions of a thriller

 
Low key lighting - Low-key lighting is the technical opposite of the high-key arrangement, because in low-key the fill light is at a very low level, causing the frame to be cast with large shadows. This causes stark contrasts between the darker and lighter parts of the framed image, and for much of the subject of the shot to be hidden behind in the shadows. A good example of this is the opening scene to Saw 1, before the lights have been turned on, the scene is very dark and in the Mise-En-Scene Low-Key lighting is used.

 

This is a prime example of low key lighting used in the film Paranormal Activity

 



Iconography - This relates to Mise-En-Scene as it covers images and objects used to portray the codes and conventions of a film genre. In Kill Bill, the fight scene including Vernita Green, a lot of different weapons are used from fire pokers to knives and these props help the film convey the genre it is suited to.

This is a prime example of some iconography used in thrillers

 

Hidden identity - This is always brought into play by a villain in a Thriller film, as they always lead to doing bad things, the hidden identity allows them to get away with some bad actions they take. The Scream film series is the best example of this as the killer always wears the grim reaper mask to hide his true identity, therefor killing all the people without getting found out.

This is a prime example of hidden identities used in thrillers

Killers and victims - People do die in most thrillers and this links well with tension. It affects the story line which therefore creates suspense. Scream, Saw and Kill Bill have deaths contently with both killers and victims.

This is a prime example of killers and victims in thrillers.

Victim          Killer

 

Representation of characters - This all relates to the characters facial expressions, costume and emotions. In Scream the killer is dressed in black and he is always taking part in bad deeds, this is how we understand by his representation that he is a socially bad character.


Enigma - This is the mystery intervened within a thriller film. It is mainly there to keep the audience significantly intact with what is going on as it adds excitement. The mask is the Enigma used in Scream and the question of who the killer is always stays in the audiences mind as they watch the film.


Shock/Surprise/Suspense - This is the use of different emotive techniques to help reflect on what is happening in the thriller genre film. In the film Scream this is used very well as these conventions are used in stages to build up Shock/Surprise/Suspense. 


Tension - This is the how the film taunts the audience by mentally straining them. In Kill Bill the way she gets close to defeating her enemies, makes the audience tense, then as she loses in a fight it would cause them to feel tense as an outcome also.